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Plurafac LF 300 is a low-foaming, nonionic surfactant manufactured by BASF.
Plurafac LF 300 belongs to the alkoxylated, predominantly unbranched fatty alcohols class.
The chemical is primarily used as an emulsifier, wetting agent, and foam controller in industrial, institutional, and household cleaning formulations.
CAS Details: 50861-66-0, 196823-11-7
Product Number (PRD): 30044951
Chemical Name: Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, monoisotridecyl ether, block
Chemical Description: Alkoxylated fatty alcohol (Linear/branched alcohol alkoxylate).
CAS Registry Number: 50861-66-0 / 196823-11-7Product Class: Low-foaming nonionic surfactant.
Appearance (at 23 °C): Clear to slightly cloudy liquid.
Synonyms: Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, monoisotridecyl ether, block (IUPAC name)Alkohole, C13, ethoxyliert, propoxyliertFatty alcohol alkoxylatealpha-Alkyl-omega-hydroxypoly(oxypropylene) and/or poly(oxyethylene)
Plurafac LF 300 is basically a special industrial detergent ingredient used to improve cleaning efficiency while keeping foam under control.
Plurafac LF 300 is a low foaming nonionic surfactant.
Plurafac LF 300 consists of alkoxylated, predominantly unbranched fatty alcohols, and contains higher alkene oxides alongside ethylene oxide.
This product has a viscosity of approximately 75 mPa·s at 23°C.
Breaking Down the Name
Plurafac: A brand name from BASF referencing multi-functional alcohol-based surfactants.
LF: Stands for "Low Foaming" (or Low Foamer), symbolizing its core chemical behavior.
It is specifically designed to suppress foam generation in applications requiring intense mechanical action, such as automatic dishwashing.
300: A numeric designation by BASF indicating specific formulation properties, such as viscosity and alkoxylate structure.
Chemical type: fatty alcohol alkoxylate
Surfactant type: nonionic (low-foaming)
Physical form: liquid
Key Technical Properties
Active Content: ~100%Cloud Point (1% in water): ~22 °C
Viscosity (at 23 °C, Brookfield): ~75 mPa·s
Wetting Effect (EN 1772, 1 g/l at 23 °C): ~15 seconds (Excellent wetting profile).
Solubility: Soluble in water at temperatures below its cloud point; soluble in many organic solvents.
Product Groups
Chemical: Alkoxylates / Alcohol alkoxylates
Main function
Plurafac LF 300 works as a:
Detergent / cleaning agent
Emulsifier (helps mix oil and water)
Wetting agent
Foam controller (low-foam behavior)
Functional:
Control of Metal Ions / Electroplating Additive
Emulsifying / Oil-Water-Emulsifiers
Foam Control
Rinsing
Surfactants
Functional Role in Formulations
In cleaning formulations, it typically acts as:
Primary nonionic surfactant
Foam suppressor / foam regulator
Emulsifier (oil dispersion in water)
Soil removal enhancer
Key Benefits & Functions
Foam Suppression: Exhibits extremely low-foaming tendencies and effectively suppresses foam generated by other surfactant components or food soils.
Superior Wetting: Rapidly reduces surface tension, allowing solutions to spread evenly across hard surfaces.
Spot-Free Rinsing: Prevents film formation and water spotting on glass, ceramics, and metals.
High Chemical Stability: Stable in acidic formulations and moderately alkaline conditions.
Chemical Nature
Plurafac LF 300 is a:
Fatty alcohol alkoxylate
Specifically a nonionic surfactant
Built from:
Long-chain fatty alcohol (hydrophobic part)
Ethylene oxide / propylene oxide chains (hydrophilic part)
Primary Applications
Automatic Dishwashing (ADW): Used heavily in household and institutional automatic dishwashing detergents and rinse aids.
Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning: Ideal for CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems, brewery cleaners, and high-pressure spray cleaners.
Metal Surface Treatment: Utilized in industrial metal degreasing and surface preparation baths.
Textile & Leather: Applied as a low-foam wetting agent in textile processing auxiliaries.
Uses
Common applications include:
Industrial cleaning systems
Institutional & professional cleaning (hospitals, kitchens, facilities)
Automatic dishwashing systems
Food & beverage processing cleaning (CIP systems)
Some industrial formulations (textiles, coatings, agrochemical additives)
Why Plurafac LF 300 is used
Provides strong cleaning performance
Controls or reduces foam (important in machines)
Improves wetting and removal of oils/grease
Stable in industrial cleaning conditions
Key Performance Properties
Plurafac LF 300 is designed for low-foam industrial cleaning systems:
Very low foaming behavior (even under agitation)
High detergency (grease/oil removal)
Good wetting performance on surfaces
Effective in alkaline and acidic cleaning systems
Stable in hard water conditions
Works well at moderate to high temperatures
Industries & Applications
Agriculture: Additives for crop protection
Home Care and I&I Cleaning: (Home Care) Automatic Dishwashing Liquids, (Home Care) Automatic Dishwashing Rinse Aids, (Home Care) Hard Surface Cleaning, (Industrial) Commercial Laundry, (Industrial) Food and Beverage Processing, (Industrial) Food Service and Kitchen Hygiene, (Industrial) Industrial Cleaning, (Industrial) Institutional Cleaning, (Industrial) Vehicle & Transportation Care, Home Care
Key Characteristics & Applications
Foam Control: Highly effective at minimizing foam in various cleaning and rinse aid processes.
Wetting & Detergency: Provides exceptional wetting properties and surface-tension reduction, which ensures effective soil removal.
Industrial Use: Widely utilized in formulations for dishwashing detergents, metal cleaning, and general hard-surface cleaners.
1.Performance and Wetting Dynamics
According to BASF laboratory testing metrics (under the EN 1772 standard utilizing a neutral water solution containing 2 g/l soda ash):
At 23 °C (Below Cloud Point):
At 0.5 g/l concentration: ~75 seconds wetting time.
At 1.0 g/l concentration: ~15 seconds wetting time.
At 2.0 g/l concentration: ~15 seconds wetting time.
At 70 °C (Above Cloud Point):
The wetting time exceeds 100 seconds because the product becomes less soluble as temperature rises.
This phase separation allows the surfactant molecules to act as highly efficient defoamers (foam suppressors) in hot industrial processes.
2. Solubility and Phase Behavior
Water Solubility: Soluble in cold water below its cloud point (~22 °C).
When heated above this temperature, the solution turns cloudy.
This is a reversible, characteristic trait of nonionic surfactants that facilitates spot-free drainage and rinsing on hard surfaces.
Solvent Compatibility: Highly soluble in polar organic solvents like ethanol, isopropanol, glycols, and glycerol.
Plurafac LF 300 has limited solubility in pure mineral oils or highly concentrated, cold mineral acids.
3. Rheology and Storage Guidelines
Solidification Point: Plurafac LF 300 begins to solidify between 0 °C and -5 °C.
Freeze-Thaw Stability: Freezing does not damage the chemical integrity.
If frozen, Plurafac LF 300 can be restored to its original state by gentle warming to room temperature and brief agitation.
Viscosity Profile: Plurafac LF 300 features low viscosity (~75 mPa·s at 23 °C), ensuring straightforward pumpability and handling in automated chemical dosing systems.
4. Environmental and Safety Profile
Biodegradability: Meets the strict biodegradability requirements outlined in international detergent regulations (such as the EU Detergents Regulation).
Plurafac LF 300 breaks down readily in wastewater treatment plants.
Handling & Safety: In its concentrated form,Plurafac LF 300 is classified as an irritant to skin and eyes.
Standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)—including chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles—is mandatory during manufacturing and blending processes.
5. Formulation BenchmarksRinse Aids (ADW): Typically incorporated at dosage levels between 3% and 10% in household or commercial rinse aid formulas.
Plurafac LF 300 pairs excellently with organic acids (e.g., citric acid) to accelerate drying and prevent mineral deposits on glassware.
Foam Suppression: When used in mechanical spray cleaners or CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems operating above 30 °C, Plurafac LF 300 acts to actively suppress foam generated by organic soil load (like proteins or starch) or other anionic surfactant components.
Handling & Safety (general)
Usually classified as low toxicity industrial chemical
Can cause mild eye/skin irritation in concentrated form
Standard PPE: gloves, goggles recommended in handling
Biodegradability depends on formulation, but alkoxylates are generally designed to be environmentally acceptable.
