PEG-180

PEG-180 is a high molecular weight, nonionic polyether also known as polyethylene glycol with an average of about 180 ethylene oxide units.
PEG-180 is widely used as a thickener, binder, lubricant, processing aid, and water-soluble base material in pharmaceutical, personal care, industrial, and laboratory applications.
PEG-180 is valued for its water solubility, low toxicity profile, chemical stability, and ability to modify viscosity, film feel, and dispersibility in many formulations.

CAS Number: 25322-68-3
EC Number: 500-038-2
Molecular Formula: H(OCH2CH2)nOH (average, n≈180)
Molecular Weight: ~7938 g/mol (average, n≈180)

Synonyms: PEG-180, Polyethylene Glycol 180, Poly(ethylene glycol), Polyethylene glycol, PEG, PEG polymer, PEG 8000 (approximate grade), Polyethylene Glycol 8000, Macrogol 8000, Carbowax 8000, Poly(oxyethylene), Polyoxyethylene glycol, Polyethylene oxide (PEG-type), High Molecular Weight PEG, PEG-180, Polyethylene Glycol-180, Poly(ethylene glycol)-180, PEG-180 Polymer, PEG-180 Polyether, PEG-180 Polyalkylene Glycol, PEG-180 Polyalkylene Oxide, PEG-180 Polyethylene Oxide, PEO-180 (context), PEG-180 Liquid Polymer, PEG-180 Water-Soluble Polymer, PEG-180 Water-Soluble Polyether, PEG-180 Nonionic Polymer, PEG-180 Nonionic Polyether, PEG-180 Nonionic Humectant, PEG-180 Humectant, PEG-180 Solubilizer, PEG-180 Solubilizing Agent, PEG-180 Co-Solvent, PEG-180 Co-Solvent Agent, PEG-180 Wetting Agent, PEG-180 Dispersing Agent, PEG-180 Dispersant, PEG-180 Thickener (context), PEG-180 Rheology Modifier (context), PEG-180 Conditioning Agent, PEG-180 Emollient (context), PEG-180 Film-Forming Aid, PEG-180 Plasticizing Agent, PEG-180 Hydrating Polymer, PEG-180 Hydrophilic Polymer, PEG-180 Hydrophile, PEG-180 Emulsifying Aid, PEG-180 Surfactant Aid, PEG-180 Compatibility Agent, PEG-180 Stabilizing Agent, PEG-180 Stabilizer, PEG-180 Additive, PEG-180 Functional Additive, PEG-180 Performance Additive, PEG-180 Processing Additive, PEG-180 Blending Additive, PEG-180 Binder Aid (context), PEG-180 Polymer Processing Aid, PEG-180 Cosmetic Grade, PEG-180 Personal Care Grade, PEG-180 Pharmaceutical Grade, PEG-180 Industrial Grade, PEG-180 Technical Grade, PEG-180 High-MW Polyethylene Glycol, High Molecular Weight PEG-180, PEG-180 Polyether Liquid, PEG-180 Polyether Fluid, PEG-180 Polyether Material, PEG-180 Polyether Component, PEG-180 Resin Modifier (context), PEG-180 Coating Additive (context), PEG-180 Ink Additive (context), PEG-180 Adhesive Additive (context), PEG-180 Polymer Intermediate, PEG-180 Chemical Intermediate, PEG-180 Chemical Feedstock, PEG-180 Specialty Polymer, PEG-180 Specialty Polyether, PEG-180 Fine Polymer, PEG-180 Specialty Chemical, PEG-180 Raw Material

APPLICATIONS

PEG-180 is used in creams and lotions to increase viscosity and improve body.
PEG-180 is incorporated into gels to enhance thickening and stability in water-rich systems.
PEG-180 is used in leave-on products to reduce tack and improve slip when properly balanced.

PEG-180 is used in shampoos and body washes to adjust viscosity and improve flow behavior.
PEG-180 is included in surfactant systems to enhance clarity and stabilize mixed-solvent formulations.
PEG-180 is applied in liquid soaps to improve texture and reduce phase separation.

PEG-180 is used in hair conditioners to improve combability and provide a smoother feel.
PEG-180 is incorporated into styling creams to support film formation and reduce flaking.
PEG-180 is added to hair masks to improve spreadability and consistency.

PEG-180 is used in facial cleansers to increase cushion and improve sensory performance.
PEG-180 is added to micellar and cleansing waters to support solubilization systems and stability.
PEG-180 is used in makeup remover formulations to improve feel and reduce residue.

PEG-180 is used in deodorant sticks and solid formats as a structure and processing aid in compatible bases.
PEG-180 is incorporated into roll-on deodorants to improve glide and reduce stickiness.
PEG-180 is applied in antiperspirant products to support uniform distribution of functional ingredients.

PEG-180 is used in toothpaste and oral gels to improve texture and dispersion of abrasives.
PEG-180 is added to mouth gels to support smooth flow and pleasant mouthfeel.
PEG-180 is used in flavor delivery systems to help maintain homogeneity in water-based formats.

PEG-180 is used as a binder in pharmaceutical tablet formulations to improve granule strength.
PEG-180 is incorporated into wet granulation processes to enhance particle cohesion.
PEG-180 is used in direct-compression blends to improve flow and reduce segregation.

PEG-180 is used in ointment and topical bases as a water-soluble carrier and consistency modifier.
PEG-180 is added to dermatological creams to improve spreadability and reduce greasiness.
PEG-180 is used in wound-care gels to enhance viscosity and moisture retention.

PEG-180 is used in suppository and solid dosage bases when a higher-melting, water-soluble matrix is desired.
PEG-180 is incorporated into controlled-release matrix concepts as a hydrophilic polymer component.
PEG-180 is used in compounding as a thickening and consistency-adjusting excipient.

PEG-180 is used in laboratory buffers and reagent preparations to increase viscosity and stabilize components.
PEG-180 is widely used in molecular biology as a crowding agent to enhance biochemical reactions.
PEG-180 is used in nucleic acid precipitation workflows as a polymer-assisted separation aid.

PEG-180 is used in protein crystallization screens to promote controlled supersaturation.
PEG-180 is applied in biotechnology formulations to modulate osmotic balance and solution properties.
PEG-180 is used in enzyme stabilization studies where nonionic polymers improve handling and storage.

PEG-180 is used in water-based inks to improve viscosity and printability.
PEG-180 is incorporated into coatings to enhance flow, leveling, and film feel in certain systems.
PEG-180 is used in pigment dispersions to improve wetting and reduce agglomeration.

PEG-180 is used in textile processing as a lubricant and antistatic agent.
PEG-180 is applied in fiber finishing to improve softness and reduce friction.
PEG-180 is used in dye formulations to aid dispersion and improve bath consistency.

PEG-180 is used in paper and packaging coatings to improve surface properties and process stability.
PEG-180 is incorporated into adhesives to adjust open time and rheology in water-based systems.
PEG-180 is used in label and tape adhesives to improve smoothness and handling.

PEG-180 is used in ceramic and powder metallurgy as a binder to improve green strength.
PEG-180 is incorporated into slurry systems to improve flow and reduce cracking during drying.
PEG-180 is used in extrusion and molding processes to support shaping and reduce defects.

PEG-180 is used in electroplating and metalworking fluids as a wetting and lubricity modifier.
PEG-180 is applied in cutting and grinding fluids to improve lubricity in water-based emulsions.
PEG-180 is used in corrosion-inhibitor packages as a compatibility and solubility aid.

PEG-180 is used in agricultural formulations as a dispersant and processing aid in water-based concentrates.
PEG-180 is incorporated into adjuvant systems to improve wetting and spreading on surfaces.
PEG-180 is used in soluble powder and granule products to support binding and dust control.

PEG-180 is used in cleaning products to improve viscosity and reduce streaking in certain formulations.
PEG-180 is incorporated into hard-surface cleaners to improve wetting and soil removal performance.
PEG-180 is used in specialty detergents to stabilize additives and improve solution behavior.

PEG-180 is used in industrial water treatment formulations as a dispersant and compatibility aid.
PEG-180 is applied in scale-control blends to support uniform distribution of functional agents.
PEG-180 is used in formulations where a high-MW, water-soluble polymer improves handling.

PEG-180 is valued for formulating clear, water-based systems that need thickening without ionic interactions.
PEG-180 is used to improve stability of mixed-ingredient systems by reducing separation tendencies.
PEG-180 is selected when a higher-viscosity, higher-melting PEG grade is preferred over low-MW PEGs.

DESCRIPTION

PEG-180 is a nonionic, high molecular weight polyethylene glycol typically supplied as a white to off-white solid.
PEG-180 is odorless to faintly characteristic and has a waxy or flaky appearance depending on manufacturing and grade.
PEG-180 is composed of repeating ethylene oxide units terminated by hydroxyl groups, giving strong water affinity.

PEG-180 is readily soluble in water and many polar solvents, forming clear to slightly opalescent solutions depending on concentration.
PEG-180 exhibits good compatibility with many cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial ingredients due to its nonionic character.
PEG-180 can increase viscosity and modify rheology by forming structured aqueous solutions at appropriate concentrations.

PEG-180 generally shows good thermal stability under typical processing conditions but can degrade with excessive heat exposure.
PEG-180 is chemically stable in neutral environments and may be sensitive to strong oxidizers.
PEG-180 is commonly chosen for its balance of thickening, binding, lubricity, and water solubility in multifunctional formulations.

PEG-180 performance depends on average molecular weight distribution, purity, and formulation pH and ionic strength.
PEG-180 is often used where a higher-melting PEG is desired to improve solidity, structure, or processing robustness.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Formula: H(OCH2CH2)nOH (average, n≈180)
Molecular Weight: ~7938 g/mol (average, n≈180)
Common Name: PEG-180 (approx. PEG 8000 / Macrogol 8000 grade)
Chemical Nature: Nonionic polyether polymer (polyethylene glycol)
Appearance: White to off-white flakes, beads, or powder
Odor: Odorless to faint characteristic
Solubility: Soluble in water; soluble in many polar solvents; insoluble in nonpolar oils
Melting Point: ~58–65°C (typical range; grade dependent)
pH (5% aqueous): ~5.0–7.5 (typical; grade dependent)
Viscosity: High contribution to viscosity in aqueous solutions; concentration dependent
Density: ~1.1–1.2 g/cm³ (typical; grade dependent)
Flash Point: >200°C (typical; not easily flammable)
Stability: Stable under dry, cool conditions; avoid strong oxidizers and excessive heat
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, protected from moisture
Shelf Life: 24 months in original sealed packaging (typical supplier range)

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if dust is inhaled.
Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation persists.
Avoid breathing dust during handling and transfer.

Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water after contact.
Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Seek medical advice if irritation develops or persists.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do.
Continue rinsing and seek medical attention if irritation persists.

Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
Seek medical attention if large amounts are swallowed or discomfort occurs.

Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
No specific antidote is required.
Provide supportive care based on exposure route and symptoms.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Use appropriate PPE, including gloves and safety glasses.
Avoid generating dust during weighing, pouring, or conveying.
Wash hands after handling and before eating, drinking, or smoking.

Ventilation:
Use local exhaust or general ventilation where dust may be generated.
Ensure good airflow during high-volume powder handling operations.
Minimize airborne particulate accumulation in enclosed areas.

Storage:
Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and heat.
Keep containers tightly sealed and properly labeled.
Protect from contamination, especially in pharmaceutical and personal care use.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Sweep or vacuum spilled material using methods that minimize dust generation.
Collect in suitable containers for disposal according to local regulations.
Clean residue with water while preventing slip hazards on wet or polymer-coated surfaces.

Handling Precautions:
Use clean, dedicated equipment to prevent cross-contamination in regulated applications.
Avoid contact with strong oxidizers and unnecessary high-temperature exposure.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent quality and performance.