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Agnique AE 3-2 EH is a premium-grade nonionic surfactant specially developed by BASF to enhance the field efficacy of agrochemical and high-performance industrial formulations.
Structurally classified as a branched-chain alcohol ethoxylate, Agnique AE 3-2 EH functions as a powerful wetting agent, rapid spreader, humectant, and penetration enhancer adjuvant in various formulations.
By facilitating the adhesion of active ingredients that are difficult to dissolve or struggle to pass through plant leaf tissues, Agnique AE 3-2 EH maximizes the biological effectiveness of spraying operations.
Thanks to its low foaming tendency and high dynamic surface tension reduction capability, Agnique AE 3-2 EH fully complies with modern green agriculture and industrial standards.
Main Specifications
Product Name: Agnique AE 3-2 EH
Manufacturer: BASF
Chemical Description: 2-Ethylhexanol ethoxylate / Alkoxylated special alcohol-based surfactant
CAS Number: 26468-86-0 (2-Ethylhexanol, ethoxylated)
Product Type / Class: Nonionic Surfactant / Agricultural Adjuvant, Penetrant, and Special Wetting Agent
Ionic Character: Nonionic (Non-ionic, neutral molecular structure carrying no electrical charge)
Physical Form: Clear, low-viscosity, fluid liquid at room temperature
Product Group: Agnique AE (Alcohol Ethoxylate) Special Branched Series
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Clear, sediment-free fluid liquid ranging from colorless to very light yellowish tones at 25 degrees Celsius.
Solubility Capability: Extremely fast and easy to dissolve in water, self-dispersing to form a clear and stable solution/dispersion; exhibits excellent compatibility with polar and non-polar organic solvents.
pH Value (in 1% aqueous solution): Typically ranges between 5.0 and 7.0, displaying a near-neutral and safe character that does not harm sensitive plant tissues.
Active Content Control: Manufactured with high purity, containing no undesirable filler materials or free by-products in formulations.
Volatility and Stability: Possesses a hydrophobic structure with low vapor pressure, is non-volatile, and fully maintains its chemical stability across very wide temperature ranges.
Chemical Stability: Does not lose its stability in acidic, neutral, and mildly basic formulation environments; remains unaffected by high calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, preventing precipitation or phase separation in salty environments.
Dynamic Surface Tension: Thanks to its very fast-moving hydrophobic tail, Agnique AE 3-2 EH has the ability to reduce surface tension within milliseconds during droplet formation.
Key Advantages and Benefits
Superior Wetting and Contact Angle Reduction: Rapidly reduces the surface tension of sprayed droplets, preventing water drops from bailing up and rolling off the leaf surface (run-off), thereby offering maximum coverage area.
Fast and Deep Penetration: Thanks to its special branched 2-ethylhexanol structure, Agnique AE 3-2 triggers active ingredients to pass through the plant's protective thick waxy outer layer (cuticle) much faster and more homogeneously.
Low Foam Profile: Produces less and faster-collapsing foam compared to standard linear alcohol ethoxylates; this reduces overflowing problems caused by foaming during tank filling and spraying operations.
Wide Formulation Compatibility: Since Agnique AE 3-2 carries no electrical charge,Agnique AE 3-2 pairs seamlessly with anionic, cationic, and other nonionic surfactants; Agnique AE 3-2 does not cause phase separation, sediment, or gelling in tank mixes.
Environmental Profile and High Biodegradability: Easily and completely biodegraded by microorganisms in nature.
Agnique AE 3-2 does not bioaccumulate and draws a highly safe profile that does not harm soil and aquatic ecosystems.
Droplet Size Control: Optimizes the droplet spectrum emitted from spray nozzles to minimize the risk of wind drift, maximizing the hit rate onto target weeds or pests.
Economic Dosage Advantage: Displays high surface activity even at very low concentrations (at ppm levels), thereby lowering formulation costs.
Detailed Application and Usage Areas
1. Agrochemicals and Agriculture Chemicals (Main Focus Area)
Plays a critical role as a built-in adjuvant or tank-mix additive in all modern agricultural pesticide formulations such as soluble concentrates (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), suspension concentrates (SC), water-dispersible granules (WG), and water-based microemulsions (ME).
Agnique AE 3-2 significantly multiplies the leaf tissue absorption of systemically active herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
Agnique AE 3-2 accelerates the entry of nutrient elements through stomata in foliar fertilizers and plant growth regulators.
Because it increases rainfastness resistance, Agnique AE 3-2 prevents performance loss and the chemical from being washed away into the soil during sudden rainfalls occurring immediately after spraying.
2. Industrial and Institutional Cleaning (I and I)
Thanks to its high wetting, surface tension reduction, and dirt-softening capabilities, Agnique AE 3-2 acts as a supporting auxiliary surfactant that enhances cleaning performance in heavy-duty industrial floor cleaners, hard surface polishers, car shampoos, and institutional washing chemicals.
Agnique AE 3-2 contributes to fast drying and spot-free cleaning performance on hard surfaces.
3. Textile and Leather Processing Industry
Evaluated as a penetration enhancer additive in the pretreatment, bleaching, desizing, and dyeing stages of textile processing, where fibers and yarns need to be wetted extremely quickly, homogeneously, and deeply in chemical baths.
In leather processing, Agnique AE 3-2 facilitates the deep penetration of tanning and fatliquoring chemicals into the pores of the leather.
4. Paints, Coatings, and Inks Formulations
Preferred as a wetting agent in water-based paint and ink systems to support the homogeneous distribution (dispersion) of pigments within the liquid phase and to increase adhesion capability to the substrate.
Safety, Storage, and Handling Precautions
Firefighting Methods: Direct high-pressure water streams should not be sprayed in case of a potential fire, as this may cause excessive foaming or spread the fire to the surroundings. Instead, water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers should be used. Full protective equipment and air masks must be worn during intervention.
First Aid Measures: In case of direct contact with eyes or skin, the affected area should be washed immediately with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes.
Contact lenses in the eyes should be removed immediately if present, and rinsing should be continued.
Medical assistance must be sought immediately if irritation starts or persists.
If accidentally swallowed, the person should definitely not be forced to vomit; the mouth should be rinsed with plenty of water, and a medical facility should be consulted urgently.
Storage Conditions: Must be stored in its original container, with manufacturer labels intact, tightly closed, in dry, cool, frost-free, and well-ventilated indoor areas.
Agnique AE 3-2 must be kept completely away from direct sunlight, open flame sources, sparks, static electricity, and strong oxidizing chemicals.
The shelf life is generally at least 2 years from the date of production when recommended storage conditions are met.
Environmental Precautions and Spill Management: Large quantities of the product must be strictly prevented from leaking into sewage systems, rivers, lakes, or groundwater.
In case of a spill or leak, the area should be declared immediately; the spilled material should be absorbed with sand, earth, sawdust, or universal liquid absorbent pads, transferred to leak-proof waste containers, and disposed of at licensed facilities in accordance with local environmental regulations.
