PLURAFAC LF 300

CAS Number: 50861-66-0 and 196823-11-7 (both listed in the manufacturer’s product record; check the current SDS for the relevant regulatory substance identity).
EC Number: Not reliably verified as one unique number for the complete commercial alkoxylate grade.
Molecular Formula: Variable; distribution of fatty alcohol alkoxylates, not one discrete molecular species.
Molecular Weight: Distribution dependent; no single verified grade-wide molecular mass.
INCI Name: No particular INCI designation verified for the commercial grade; cosmetic suitability is not established by its surfactant function.
E Number / INS Number: Not applicable; no food-additive designation established for this product.
Boiling Point: Not reliably established as one atmospheric boiling point for the grade.
Melting Point: No single sharp melting point; representative setting point approximately -30 °C, DIN 51583.
Viscosity: Approximately 75 mPa·s dynamic viscosity at 23 °C, EN 12092, Brookfield LVT; representative November 2023 technical information.
Density: Approximately 0.97 g/cm³ at 23 °C, DIN 51757; representative November 2023 technical information.

COMMON PRODUCT AND CHEMICAL NAMES

Plurafac LF 300
Plurafac® LF 300
Low-foaming fatty alcohol alkoxylate
Nonionic alcohol alkoxylate
Ethoxylated and higher-alkoxylated fatty alcohol surfactant
Fatty alcohol polyether (chemical-family description)
Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, monoisotridecyl ether, block (registration-style substance description associated with one listed CAS identity; not a guarantee of one uniform molecular structure)

The descriptive chemical-family names above are useful search terms, but they are broader than the specific commercial grade. Other numbered Plurafac products, including LF 224, LF 231, LF 301, LF 303 and LF 1300, are different grades and are not synonyms for LF 300.

WHAT IS PLURAFAC LF 300?

Plurafac LF 300 is a relatively concentrated raw-material surfactant supplied in liquid form for inclusion in finished cleaning formulations. The manufacturer identifies it within the low-foaming nonionic surfactant class and describes the chemical basis as alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing higher alkylene-oxide units together with ethylene oxide.

The main purpose of Plurafac LF 300 is to assist surface cleaning without behaving like a detergent specifically selected for abundant, persistent foam. A low-foaming profile is valuable in many mechanical processes because foam occupies space, interferes with fluid movement, complicates sensors, and can undermine rinse performance even when the underlying detergent has useful soil-removal chemistry.

Plurafac LF 300 is not itself a finished dishwasher detergent, disinfectant, acid cleaner or rinse aid. Those products ordinarily require additional components whose identities, legal status and proportions depend on the task: solvents or hydrotropes for clarity, water-conditioning ingredients for deposits, alkali or acids for particular residues, corrosion-control components for sensitive equipment, and appropriate preservation or labeling where needed.

The November 2023 product-family data describe Plurafac LF 300 as a product with approximately 100% concentration and a liquid at 23 °C. This should be read as the technical description of a highly active commercial surfactant, not as a certificate of 100% chemical purity, a validated composition by each constituent, or evidence that the grade contains precisely zero water.

For practical product development, Plurafac LF 300 is best regarded as an interfacial performance component whose behavior changes substantially with dilution, temperature, electrolyte content and other ingredients. Its unusual water-dilution viscosity profile makes it particularly important to examine the processing path used to create a finished formulation, rather than evaluating only the final composition.

CAS NUMBER, EC / EINECS NUMBER AND CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION

The product identifier associated with Plurafac LF 300 is 30044951. The manufacturer’s online product record lists two CAS numbers, 50861-66-0 and 196823-11-7, under product CAS details; therefore, neither number should be represented as the sole universal identifier of every molecule in the commercial grade without checking the relevant current safety data sheet and regulatory inventory entry.

A registry-style description connected with CAS 196823-11-7 is “Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane, monoisotridecyl ether, block.” In ordinary chemical language this signifies an alcohol-based polyether prepared from different alkylene-oxide-derived portions; its name does not fix one exact number of recurring units in every molecule.

The supplier description emphasizes alkoxylated, predominantly unbranched fatty alcohols, while some registry terminology uses the name monoisotridecyl ether. Product identity must therefore be derived from the actual commercial product record and grade-specific safety documentation, not from an assumption that every registry phrase fully describes the entire mixture or molecular distribution.

No single EC or EINECS number was independently confirmed from the primary records reviewed for this profile. A chemical inventory or procurement database may list several substance-level entries, and any regulatory declaration should identify which entity, CAS mapping and jurisdiction it covers.

For customs, detergent regulations, occupational safety and industrial inventory obligations, the grade name alone is insufficient. Buyers should request the current regional SDS, a technical data sheet, product specification and any needed regulatory statements and should confirm that the paperwork refers to LF 300 rather than a similarly named alternative.

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS

The core amphiphilic structure comprises one or more hydrophobic alkyl chains originating in fatty-alcohol feedstocks and ether-containing polyalkoxylate portions. The alkyl segment favors interaction with oily soil, greasy films and other poorly water-wettable environments, whereas polar ether oxygen atoms participate in interactions with water.

Ethylene-oxide-derived units tend to increase hydration and water affinity, although the actual effect depends on the complete molecular composition. More hydrophobic higher-alkylene-oxide portions modify interfacial association, cloud-point behavior and foaming characteristics; their functional contribution cannot be assigned a universal numeric value without the full grade-specific molecular distribution.

The presence of both types of units helps explain how a surfactant can be useful in cleaning while showing restricted clarity in water at a particular concentration. A material need not be fully transparent in a 10% water-mixture test to contribute interfacial activity after dilution, mixing with other surfactants, or the addition of suitable solubilizing components.

Alcohol alkoxylates are manufactured as distributions rather than as chemically identical single molecules. Differences in alkyl-chain distribution, alkoxylation degree and sequence can influence viscosity, solubility, critical aggregation behavior, dynamic wetting and compatibility with other ingredients.

It would be misleading to print one exact molecular formula, one molar mass, one theoretically calculated HLB, or a single critical micelle concentration as a certified property of this grade without appropriate analytical support. The most relevant evidence for the commercial product consists of validated performance methods and batch-relevant specifications, not an oversimplified skeletal formula.

Plurafac LF 300 is nonionic: it does not rely on a permanently charged sulfate, sulfonate, phosphate, ammonium or carboxylate head group for its basic surfactant behavior. This distinction can offer formulation flexibility, but it is not proof of universal compatibility with strong oxidants, concentrated acids or alkalis, or every ionic surfactant in all proportions.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The following values are representative figures reported for LF 300 in the November 2023 technical information for the Plurafac LF series. The manufacturer states that such figures represent averages of batches and do not necessarily form part of the contractual specification; values must not be promoted as guaranteed acceptance limits.

Physical State at 23 °C: Liquid.
Appearance: Clear to slightly cloudy, generally colorless to yellow within the product-family description.
Concentration: Approximately 100% according to the technical product-family table.
Density at 23 °C: Approximately 0.97 g/cm³, DIN 51757.
Dynamic Viscosity at 23 °C: Approximately 75 mPa·s, EN 12092, Brookfield LVT.
Dynamic Viscosity at 10 °C: Approximately 140 mPa·s, EN 12092, Brookfield LVT.
Dynamic Viscosity at 0 °C: Approximately 250 mPa·s, EN 12092, Brookfield LVT.
Setting Point: Approximately -30 °C, DIN 51583.
pH: Approximately 7, EN 1262 solution B; not an intrinsic pH of the neat nonaqueous liquid.
Cloud Point, EN 1890 Method A: Approximately 22 °C.
Cloud Point, EN 1890 Method D: Approximately 53 °C.
Cloud Point, EN 1890 Method E: Approximately 48 °C.
Foam Formation: Approximately 45 mL, EN 12728.
Surface Tension: Approximately 28 mN/m under EN 14370 in distilled water at 1 g/L and 23 °C, with the Harkins-Jordan correction described in the method note.
Water Clarity: Not a clear solution at 10% in distilled or potable water at 23 °C in the manufacturer’s comparison.
5% Hydrochloric Acid Solubility Test: Reported clear at a 10% surfactant test concentration and 23 °C; this is not a guarantee of stability with all acids or all concentrations.
5% Sodium Chloride Solution Test: Reported opalescent at a 10% surfactant test concentration and 23 °C.
5% Caustic Soda Solution Test: Reported not clearly soluble at a 10% surfactant test concentration and 23 °C.
Mineral Spirit: Reported clear in the manufacturer’s 10% solubility comparison at 23 °C.
Spindle Oil: Reported clear in the manufacturer’s 10% solubility comparison at 23 °C.
Ethanol: Reported clear in the manufacturer’s 10% solubility comparison at 23 °C.
Isopropanol: Reported clear in the manufacturer’s 10% solubility comparison at 23 °C.
Water Content: No individual numerical water-content value published in the corresponding table for LF 300.
Boiling Range: Not reliably established for the complete commercial grade in the reviewed technical information.
Flash Point: Confirm from the current regional SDS; not taken from unrelated LF grades.
Vapor Pressure: Not reliably established for this exact trade grade in the reviewed public technical data.
Refractive Index: Not reliably established from the reviewed grade-specific documentation.
Shelf Life: At least two years when properly stored in tightly sealed original packaging, according to the November 2023 product-family storage guidance; verify current supplier documents.

Cloud-point temperatures are meaningful only with their test-medium definitions. Method A uses 1 g surfactant with 100 g distilled water, Method D uses 5 g surfactant plus 45 g of a 250 g/L butyldiglycol solution, and Method E uses 5 g surfactant plus 25 g of that butyldiglycol solution.

The approximately 22 °C Method A result must not be described as interchangeable with the approximately 53 °C Method D or approximately 48 °C Method E results. The three numbers do not describe three separate grades, nor are the higher values evidence that LF 300 remains completely soluble in plain hot water at those temperatures.

Similarly, the 45 mL foam result is an outcome of a standardized laboratory measurement, not the amount of foam that every commercial cleaner will generate. Spray pressure, soil, temperature, co-surfactants, alkalinity, water hardness and mechanical agitation all modify the observed result.

CLOUD POINT, TEMPERATURE AND PHASE BEHAVIOR

The cloud point is a practical indicator of the loss of optical clarity in a specified nonionic-surfactant test preparation as temperature changes. Heating can change the hydration of polyether segments and the balance among surfactant, water and associated aggregates, producing visible cloudiness or phase separation in systems that were clear at a different temperature.

For Plurafac LF 300, the manufacturer reports an approximately 22 °C cloud point by EN 1890 Method A, which uses a dilute distilled-water composition. This is close to typical room temperature and is one reason why visual clarity must be assessed across the intended storage and use range instead of assuming that a cold or warm sample will remain transparent.

The substantially higher approximately 53 °C and 48 °C values for Methods D and E arise under different butyldiglycol-containing test media. They demonstrate the importance of the test composition and should not be interpreted as a universally elevated aqueous cloud point.

Clouding does not necessarily signify irreversible destruction of the surfactant. Some nonionic systems return to a different visual state on cooling, but the behavior of a finished formula depends on salt, solvent, acid or alkali, preservative, fragrance and other components.

In a clear concentrate, a change in clouding temperature may determine whether the product meets customer appearance requirements. In a recirculating industrial bath, optical clarity may be less important than consistent soil removal, pumpability and rinsing, but deposits, stratification and performance shifts still require evaluation.

For formulations exposed to hot and cold environments, a useful test matrix includes refrigerated and elevated storage, repeated temperature cycling, re-equilibration to room temperature and monitoring for persistent separation. Those are evaluation principles, not a guarantee that the product will satisfy any specified stability target.

WETTING PERFORMANCE AND SURFACE TENSION

Wetting data provide a more direct connection between surfactant adsorption and contact with hydrophobic or poorly wetted surfaces. The manufacturer’s EN 1772 measurements use distilled water containing 2 g/L soda ash, and the wetting time depends on test concentration and temperature.

Wetting Time at 23 °C, 0.5 g surfactant/L: Approximately 40 seconds.
Wetting Time at 23 °C, 1.0 g surfactant/L: Approximately 15 seconds.
Wetting Time at 23 °C, 2.0 g surfactant/L: Approximately 5 seconds.
Wetting Time at 70 °C, 0.5 g surfactant/L: Approximately 130 seconds.
Wetting Time at 70 °C, 1.0 g surfactant/L: Approximately 100 seconds.
Wetting Time at 70 °C, 2.0 g surfactant/L: Approximately 80 seconds.
Surface Tension at 23 °C, 1 g surfactant/L in Distilled Water: Approximately 28 mN/m, EN 14370.

In the 23 °C comparison, increasing the test dosage is associated with a substantial reduction in wetting time. This illustrates concentration-dependent interfacial performance under the specified method, not a recommended addition rate for every dishwasher detergent or industrial cleaning liquid.

At 70 °C, the same standardized comparison gives slower wetting times than at 23 °C. This observation is consistent with the importance of hydration and phase behavior for alcohol alkoxylates, but it is not direct proof of worse overall cleaning in every hot-process formulation.

Actual soil removal combines wetting with interfacial displacement, emulsification, chemical reaction of appropriate builders, temperature, turbulence and contact time. A surfactant that wets quickly under a single laboratory method may not always produce the best cleaning, lowest redeposition or easiest rinsing in service.

Surface tension is measured in an aqueous test system, not in the neat liquid. Values reported without specifying concentration, temperature and technique can be misleading, especially where cloudiness and dispersibility change the measurement state.

WATER SOLUBILITY AND SOLVENT COMPATIBILITY

The manufacturer reports that Plurafac LF 300 is not clearly soluble at 10% in either distilled or potable water at 23 °C. The finding is important for product designers who intend to market transparent concentrates and might otherwise assume that every nonionic detergent surfactant will dissolve readily in water.

“Not clearly soluble” in this test should not be translated into “chemically ineffective” or “completely incapable of being dispersed.” A cloudy formulation can still contain interfacially active material; the specific issue is whether it maintains satisfactory phase stability, delivery and appearance over the required conditions.

At the same 10% and 23 °C test condition, the comparative data report clear solutions in ethanol, isopropanol, mineral spirit and spindle oil. A 5% hydrochloric acid medium is also listed as clear, whereas a 5% sodium chloride solution is reported as opalescent and 5% caustic soda as not clearly soluble.

These observations are snapshots of physical compatibility, not chemical durability claims. The result for dilute hydrochloric acid does not validate prolonged high-temperature exposure to strong acids, while lack of clarity in caustic soda does not prove that every alkaline cleaner containing a smaller percentage of LF 300 will be unusable.

For improved concentrate clarity, the product-family technical guidance identifies alcohols, glycols and the hydrotrope sodium cumene sulfonate as possible solubilizing classes for some low-cloud-point members of the series. A suitable co-solvent or hydrotrope must be selected experimentally, because its addition can alter viscosity, foam behavior, flash point, cost, compatibility and environmental classification.

Salts and builders affect ionic strength and may influence nonionic surfactant hydration even though the molecule itself is uncharged. This is why a formulation should be challenged using the actual plant water or representative hardness and electrolyte levels, not only distilled water.

Oil and solvent compatibility should also be evaluated with the full blend. Clear miscibility of LF 300 in a solvent under a specified test does not establish that a water-rich formulation containing that solvent will be single-phase or that a polymeric seal will tolerate the mixture.

VISCOSITY DURING WATER ADDITION: AN IMPORTANT FORMULATION FEATURE

A particularly consequential characteristic of LF 300 is the strongly non-linear variation of viscosity during dilution with water. The manufacturer’s 23 °C Brookfield table shows that certain intermediate compositions become far more viscous than either the concentrated surfactant or much more dilute solutions.

Water Added, 0%: Approximately 75 mPa·s.
Water Added, 10%: Approximately 90 mPa·s.
Water Added, 20%: Approximately 110 mPa·s.
Water Added, 30%: Approximately 230 mPa·s.
Water Added, 40%: Greater than 100,000 mPa·s (printed as >10^5 mPa·s in the technical table).
Water Added, 50%: Approximately 4,800 mPa·s.
Water Added, 60%: Approximately 220 mPa·s.
Water Added, 70%: Approximately 80 mPa·s.
Water Added, 80%: Approximately 70 mPa·s.
Water Added, 90%: Approximately 400 mPa·s.

These are representative measured values for the binary water/surfactant preparation described in the manufacturer document, not a universal viscosity curve for a formulation containing builders, acids, hydrotropes or additional surfactants. The apparent increase at 90% added water also cautions against assuming that viscosity must fall monotonically with dilution.

The marked thickening around 40% added water may reflect transitions in how polyether surfactant molecules associate in a concentrated water-rich mixture. The precise microstructure is not established by the published table alone, so it would be inappropriate to present a definite lamellar, hexagonal or other liquid-crystal phase assignment without separate measurements.

The technical guidance advises stirring the surfactant into water when preparing aqueous preparations; carrying out the process in the reverse order can create unmanageably high viscosity at some concentrations. In manufacturing, controlled addition, sufficient agitation, suitable vessel geometry, temperature monitoring and an appropriately validated mixing route reduce the chance of isolated thickened pockets.

The guidance is not a complete validated plant operating procedure. Formulators still need to test mixing energy, rate of addition and the influence of every solvent, electrolyte and other surfactant because a small bench sample and a large tank can behave differently.

Pump sizing and transfer-system design should consider the maximum viscosity that may be encountered during blending, rather than only the viscosity of the incoming raw material or final finished product. This can be particularly important for dosing skids, inline mixers, recirculation lines and filling operations.

Such viscosity effects also matter in quality investigations. A highly viscous intermediate mixture is not necessarily evidence of polymerization or degradation; it may be reversible physical association, but unusual batches must still be checked for off-specification contamination or ingredient imbalance.

HOW DOES PLURAFAC LF 300 WORK AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL?

When LF 300 contacts a water/oil or water/solid interface, its hydrophobic portion tends to associate with the less polar phase while its polyether portion interacts with the polar environment. Accumulation at an interface lowers the energetic cost of wetting and can assist the formation or removal of dispersed oily domains.

At a soiled metal, glass, ceramic or polymer surface, surfactant molecules can aid the replacement of an oil-covered interface with a surface more readily contacted by the washing medium. This does not mean the material chemically dissolves mineral scale, kills microorganisms or breaks down every grease type by itself; it acts principally through physical interfacial mechanisms.

Its nonionic character means that it does not require an anionic head group to adsorb and lower surface tension. This can be useful when a formula contains mixed surfactant classes or dissolved mineral ions, but ion tolerance must still be confirmed because dissolved electrolytes influence cloud point and aggregate structure.

Dispersed oil droplets may be stabilized by adsorbed surfactant, supporting removal during circulation and rinsing. The degree of stabilization depends on mixing, droplet composition, surfactant concentration and whether the formula contains hydrotropes, salts or other co-surfactants.

The same molecule can influence an air/water interface, affecting bubble generation and drainage. LF 300 is designed as a low-foam surfactant relative to many conventional detergent surfactants, but the standardized 45 mL foam measurement establishes that it is not intrinsically “zero-foam” under the documented test.

Cloud-point behavior reflects changes in solvation of the polyether region as temperature or solvent composition changes. This creates the useful but sometimes challenging combination of wetting, modified phase behavior and restrained foaming that must be balanced for each application.

LOW-FOAMING ACTION AND FOAM MANAGEMENT

Foam is a system-level result of surfactant adsorption, bubble formation, thin-film elasticity, drainage and the persistence of an air-filled structure under agitation. The numerical EN 12728 value of approximately 45 mL positions LF 300 as a low-foaming grade in the manufacturer’s classification, without implying that every finished cleaning formulation will produce exactly that amount.

A low-foaming surfactant is not necessarily a dedicated antifoam that rapidly collapses foam caused by a different surfactant. While LF 300 may contribute to an overall low-foam formulation, deliberate foam knockdown in a highly foaming system can require a specifically evaluated defoamer or a reformulation of the surfactant blend.

In machine dishwashing, excessive foam may affect spray-pump behavior, create overflow risk, interfere with dosing and complicate rinsing. A surfactant selected for controlled foam is therefore valuable when other detergent ingredients and operating conditions are aligned with the same objective.

For industrial cleaning-in-place systems, aeration and recirculation can also promote foam generation. A lower-foam detergent component may help preserve usable vessel volume and predictable liquid circulation, but proteinaceous residues, entrained air and strong agitation can still produce foam.

When comparing candidate surfactants, measure foam during actual mechanical conditions rather than assuming that a bottle-shake result will predict industrial performance. Temperature, hardness, caustic or acid strength, contaminants and recirculation speed should be represented in the trials.

The practical goal is not always zero visible foam; it is foam below the level that affects equipment or product performance. Over-optimizing a surfactant choice for laboratory foam can sometimes compromise wetting, oily-soil removal, compatibility or cost.

WHICH INDUSTRIES USE PLURAFAC LF 300?

Manufacturer application records identify dishwashing, food-service and kitchen hygiene, institutional cleaning and sanitation, and industrial cleaning as relevant markets. These classifications establish credible commercial application areas, although they do not mean that every possible end use or recipe in these categories has been specifically validated.

Machine dishwashing is a particularly relevant area because systems operate with pumps, jets and water recirculation where foam is undesirable. Low-foaming surfactants are also relevant to industrial parts washing, mechanical hard-surface cleaning and equipment-cleaning programs where controlled wetting and rinsing are necessary.

Food-service and kitchen hygiene may involve removal of grease and processed food residues from nonfood products or surfaces, depending on the cleaner's classification and intended use. Use in or around food-processing facilities is not the same as authorization for direct food addition or unrestricted food-contact applications.

Institutional markets include applications that benefit from reproducible cleaning and manageable foam under professional equipment conditions. The trade grade should be treated as one possible ingredient in such systems, while full end-product safety, corrosion control, microbial performance claims and occupational labeling are assessed separately.

Some industry literature explores alcohol alkoxylates in textile, metalworking and other technical cleaning blends. Those should be described as chemically plausible formulation areas unless a specific LF 300 use and performance requirement has been independently confirmed; the grade's principal documented uses remain cleaning and detergency.

PLURAFAC LF 300 IN MACHINE DISHWASHING

Machine dishwashing formulations commonly need soil wetting and removal under high fluid circulation while limiting persistent foam. LF 300 offers nonionic wetting and a low-foam design, so it can be considered where the detergent or rinse system requires interfacial activity without the foam profile of more strongly foaming ingredients.

The actual role of the grade depends on whether it appears in the wash step, a multifunctional cleaning concentrate or a rinse-related product. Cleaning greases, promoting drainage and limiting foam are related but distinct objectives, and one concentration or blend will not necessarily optimize all three simultaneously.

A detergent formulation must also manage alkaline or acidic chemistry, builder concentration, mineral deposition, materials compatibility and the cleaning of residues encountered in service. LF 300 is not a substitute for those other functions; for example, a nonionic surfactant does not itself chelate calcium to the same extent as a purpose-selected sequestrant.

Because the neat grade is not clearly soluble at 10% in water at 23 °C, a transparent dishwasher concentrate may require hydrotrope or solvent optimization. Successful solubilization should be confirmed after cold storage, ambient storage and heated cycling, and any added flammable solvent must be evaluated for finished-product hazards.

No manufacturer-validated universal LF 300 dosage, rinse-aid percentage or cycle time is established by the reviewed product-family data. Product development should optimize against actual machine pressure, wash temperature, rinse temperature, hardness, soil type and residue standards rather than relying on illustrative proportions taken from unrelated recipes.

PLURAFAC LF 300 IN INDUSTRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CLEANING

Industrial and institutional detergency encompasses a wide range of substrates and soils. Low-foaming nonionic surfactants are commonly considered for mechanical floor cleaning, equipment washing, recirculating parts cleaners and other settings in which foam control matters during application or recovery.

In oily-soil applications, LF 300 may assist wetting and emulsification; in particulate-soil applications it can contribute to spreading the cleaning medium over the surface. Successful removal nevertheless depends on whether the main problem is fats, proteins, dust, scale, oxidized residue or mechanically bound contamination.

The selection process should begin by identifying the surface and the cleaning target. Painted metals, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, plastic glazing, sealants and elastomeric components can respond differently to a full cleaner even when the nonionic surfactant itself appears suitable.

Nonionic surfactants sometimes complement anionic detergents by contributing different wetting and oil-removal characteristics. Such blends should be tested because the additional surfactant can change foam persistence, clouding and rinse residue, not just washing strength.

A commercial cleaning product may also require microbial control claims or professional-sanitation instructions. LF 300 should not be presented as an independently verified disinfectant, sanitizer or biocidal active ingredient on the strength of its detergency and wetting performance alone.

PLURAFAC LF 300 IN FOOD-SERVICE AND KITCHEN HYGIENE

Kitchens and food-service facilities can produce greasy films, fatty deposits, protein residues and complex mixed soils. A low-foam surfactant can help a cleaning composition contact such deposits without creating the level of foam that could interfere with machine operation and rinsing.

In the manufacturer application overview, LF 300 is placed within the food-service and kitchen-hygiene category. This means the ingredient may be evaluated in cleaning formulations for those environments; it does not establish direct-food approval, pharmaceutical grade, or permission to leave residues on food-contact surfaces.

For food-contact cleaning, end-product requirements depend on local food-contact, detergent and sanitation regulations, specified rinse procedures, and validated residue-control practices. The exact formula and use conditions—not merely the identity of one surfactant—determine compliance.

The ability to form a clear 10% mixture in the manufacturer’s dilute hydrochloric acid test may be relevant to screening some acidic cleaner concepts. Nevertheless, acid compatibility, corrosion, hot exposure and final cleaning efficiency all require dedicated testing; no strong-acid durability claim should be inferred from a short solubility observation.

When developing a kitchen or food-service cleaner, compare LF 300 candidates using greasy-soil removal, post-rinse appearance, deposition, foam persistence and materials compatibility. An apparently satisfactory laboratory foam value alone does not prove suitability for every food-service machine.

PLURAFAC LF 300 AND ACIDIC CLEANING-IN-PLACE

The manufacturer identifies acidic cleaning-in-place concepts among application solutions related to LF 300. Cleaning-in-place refers to circulating a cleaning liquid through equipment without disassembling the full process system; the term describes a cleaning method, not a chemical family.

Acidic CIP is typically chosen for deposits that respond to an acid system, whereas surfactants can assist wetting and interaction with oily or hydrophobic contamination. The role of LF 300, when appropriate, is an interfacial contribution rather than serving as the acid that dissolves mineral deposits.

A manufacturer’s 10% solubility comparison reports LF 300 as clear in 5% hydrochloric acid at 23 °C. This supports an initial compatibility observation under those conditions but does not establish suitability for a particular acid strength, exposure period, metal grade, seal material, temperature or full CIP cycle.

The same dataset reports that LF 300 is not clearly soluble at 10% in a 5% sodium hydroxide medium. This difference shows why acid and alkali formulations cannot simply be swapped while expecting identical appearance or performance.

CIP performance should be evaluated using actual temperature profiles, fluid flow, soil deposits, equipment design and rinse verification. Special attention may be required where the operating temperature approaches or exceeds the clouding behavior observed in a dilute aqueous test system.

The grade must not be represented as a sterilant or a validated microbiological kill-step chemical. Where sanitizing or disinfecting performance is required, the complete process and legally authorized active substances must be validated separately.

PLURAFAC LF 300 IN RINSE AND DRAINAGE APPLICATIONS

Effective rinsing is influenced by the surface tension and the ability of a liquid film to spread and drain. A surfactant can potentially assist film distribution on a surface, but changes in water hardness, surface condition, temperature and co-ingredients determine whether the overall appearance and drying performance improve.

LF 300 exhibits an approximately 28 mN/m surface-tension measurement in a specified dilute test at 23 °C, which establishes meaningful surface activity. It does not by itself guarantee streak-free glass, faster drying or absence of deposits on polished materials.

Rinse systems differ from main wash detergents in soil concentration, pH, surface-contact duration and consumer expectations. For this application, the balance among wetting, drainage, spotting, foam, clarity and material residues is usually more relevant than maximizing one isolated test result.

The product's limited clear-water solubility can be a challenge for highly transparent aqueous rinse concentrates. Formulators should compare appropriate hydrotropes and co-solvents under the intended storage and dilution conditions, with attention to finished-product labeling and the behavior in hard water.

Rinse performance should be verified on realistic substrates and after repeated cycles, because a satisfactory initial wetting time does not necessarily predict longer-term deposition or spotting. Do not use a single ingredient's typical properties as a substitute for finished-product evidence.

FORMULATION COMPATIBILITY AND BLENDING STRATEGY

Selecting a formulation architecture around LF 300 requires addressing its water-clarity limitations, cloud-point behavior and intermediate viscosity maxima. This should be done before large-scale production, because a finished formula can appear simple on paper but become difficult to manufacture through an unfavorable path of intermediate compositions.

The manufacturer advises introducing the surfactant into water when preparing aqueous solutions of LF products. Its own binary-mixture table reveals pronounced LF 300 thickening at particular water-addition levels; using an unsuitable order of mixing may challenge stirrers, pumps and flow meters.

If transparency is commercially necessary, trial suitable solubilizers and hydrotropes rather than assuming that stronger agitation alone will create a thermodynamically stable clear solution. Product-family guidance mentions alcohols, glycols and sodium cumene sulfonate, but the precise acceptable choice depends on the full formula and market.

With anionic surfactants, evaluate foam level, wettability and electrolyte response. With other nonionics, assess whether mixed micelles or other aggregates improve clarity or instead cause unexpected phase or viscosity changes.

Acids, alkalis and inorganic salts can substantially change hydration and the observed cloud point. A formulation that remains homogeneous at one pH or hardness may become turbid, viscous or layered after dilution with a different water source or after temperature cycling.

Preservatives, dyes, fragrances and fragrances' carrier solvents may also affect appearance. Their compatibility should be treated as an empirical property of the final product, not established merely by LF 300 belonging to the nonionic family.

Although product-family information allows broad qualitative conclusions, it does not authorize printing a universal addition percentage, optimized hydrotrope-to-surfactant ratio, fixed mixing temperature or proprietary plant sequence. Pilot formulations should be designed around measured viscosity profiles, phase observations and performance testing.

WHAT PROBLEMS CAN PLURAFAC LF 300 HELP ADDRESS?

Excessive foam during circulation: LF 300 may contribute to low-foam detergent design, especially where highly agitated wash liquors must circulate efficiently. Whether a given formula remains low-foam depends on all foam-active ingredients and the mechanical operating conditions.

Poor wetting of hydrophobic surfaces: The product displays an approximate surface tension of 28 mN/m in a documented dilute test and shows relatively short wetting times at 23 °C with increased surfactant concentration. This indicates interfacial activity and supports screening for wetting improvement, while actual cleaning efficacy remains formulation dependent.

Difficult removal of oily residues: The amphiphilic alcohol-alkoxylate structure can contribute to contact with grease and oil and to dispersion during agitation. It is not a universal solvent for heavy deposits, and suitable alkalinity, solvent chemistry or mechanical action may be required.

Machine foaming constraints: Controlled foam formation can reduce undesirable aeration and handling difficulties in some automated cleaning processes. LF 300 is not guaranteed to eliminate foam generated by proteins, other detergent surfactants or contaminated rinse solutions.

Need for a concentrated liquid surfactant input: The trade grade is reported as approximately 100% concentration and supplied as a liquid at 23 °C, potentially reducing the need to handle an extensively pre-diluted raw material. However, because water addition can raise viscosity dramatically, the apparent convenience of a concentrate must be assessed in the manufacturing process.

Poor finished-product clarity: LF 300 alone is not a reliable answer to this issue, because the manufacturer’s own test reports insufficient clarity at 10% in water. The problem may be addressed through formulation choices, but an LF 300-containing concentrate should be checked for stability rather than advertised automatically as transparent.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING PLURAFAC LF 300

Do not substitute this grade for another LF product on the basis of a similar trade name. The November 2023 data show real differences among grades in cloud point, wetting, viscosity, foam production and solubility, even though the family shares a nonionic alcohol-alkoxylate character.

Do not equate a dilute surface-tension result with a final cleaner's performance. Application success depends on soil type, substrate, temperature, contact time, mechanical action and formulation chemistry.

Do not treat a cloud point as a phase-separation temperature for every formula. The cloud-point numbers were measured using EN 1890 methods with defined media, and those media differ sharply from typical commercial formulations.

Do not assume that high water content will always reduce viscosity. The manufacturer’s water-dilution table demonstrates a large intermediate maximum, and certain highly dilute preparations can show an increase again.

Do not interpret approximately 100% concentration as analytical purity. It is a supplier product-family descriptor, not a molecular assay of each component or evidence of the absence of trace species.

Do not regard a detergent ingredient as a certified disinfectant, directly ingestible additive or automatically approved food-contact substance. Those applications involve separate regulatory and finished-product requirements.

Finally, do not adopt hazard classifications, transport UN numbers or flash points from similarly named surfactants. If current LF 300-specific safety records are unavailable, state the uncertainty and obtain the current SDS before making operational or shipping decisions.

COMPARISON WITH RELATED SURFACTANT GRADES AND ALTERNATIVES

Other low-foaming fatty alcohol alkoxylates can be considered as functional alternatives, but they are not chemically or rheologically interchangeable. Even small differences in alkoxylate structure may alter cloud point, water clarity, grease interaction, foam and the ease of making a stable liquid concentrate.

Compared with LF 224, LF 300 has a different manufacturer-reported foam level, wetting profile and aqueous cloud point. The 2023 table gives LF 224 approximately 0 mL foam formation by EN 12728 and LF 300 approximately 45 mL, which demonstrates that “LF” identifies a family of low-foaming products rather than a promise of identical foam characteristics.

Compared with LF 231, LF 300 is not described as an alkyl-capped grade in the product-family chemistry notes. LF 231 shows different wetting responses and different viscosity behavior during dilution, so a change between the two grades requires reformulation checks.

LF 301 and LF 303 are also distinct commercial grades despite close names. The comparison table lists different viscosity, foam and solubility values; the number 300 should never be assumed to denote a chemistry or a viscosity bracket transferable across the series.

High-foaming anionic surfactants may offer different cleaning and wetting profiles but can increase foam under recirculation. They may be appropriate for hand-wash systems that benefit from foam while less suitable for low-foam mechanical applications unless combined with other components.

Alkyl polyglucosides and other bio-based or mixed surfactant systems can be evaluated for certain formulations, but their actual comparative merits depend on life-cycle criteria, biodegradation evidence, foam, clarity, cost and regulation. No sustainability superiority should be asserted without consistent supporting data.

Dedicated defoamers are a separate alternative when the main requirement is to collapse foam rather than to provide wetting or detergency. They can influence residue, appearance and material compatibility, so they are not equivalent replacements for the cleaning role of an alcohol alkoxylate.

A practical replacement assessment should measure foam in the real machine, wetting of the relevant soil and substrate, viscosity over manufacturing and storage concentrations, appearance in hard water, cold stability and final rinsability. Merely matching active content or starting liquid viscosity is insufficient.

INITIAL FORMULATION APPROACHES FOR PLURAFAC LF 300

The following examples illustrate how PLURAFAC LF 300 can be evaluated during formulation research and process development. PLURAFAC LF 300 is a low-foaming, nonionic fatty alcohol alkoxylate surfactant used in cleaning applications, including automatic dishwashing, institutional cleaning and industrial cleaning. Its combination of wetting and low-foam characteristics makes PLURAFAC LF 300 a candidate for systems where cleaning performance must be maintained under agitation or circulation.

These examples are preliminary laboratory screening concepts, not validated commercial formulas, production instructions or finished products certified for regulatory compliance. All percentages are by weight (w/w) unless otherwise stated. PLURAFAC LF 300 should be evaluated in the grade and condition actually supplied; ingredient purity, water hardness, processing conditions and the full surfactant system can affect performance. Verify the current technical data sheet, safety data sheet, local regulations and intended-use requirements before testing.

Because the appearance and compatibility of nonionic alkoxylates can change with temperature, electrolytes and other formulation ingredients, evaluate PLURAFAC LF 300 for cloudiness, phase separation, foam and storage stability across the intended working range. Each screening series below changes only the PLURAFAC LF 300 concentration while keeping the other variables constant.

EXAMPLE 1: PLURAFAC LF 300 CONCENTRATION SCREENING IN A LOW-FOAM AUTOMATIC DISHWASHING DETERGENT

Objective: Determine how the PLURAFAC LF 300 level affects greasy-soil removal, wetting, foam control, rinseability and film formation in an alkaline automatic dishwashing liquid.

Initial screening composition (finished test formulation, % w/w):

PLURAFAC LF 300: approximately 0.50%, 1.00% and 1.50% in separate trials.

Sodium carbonate: approximately 3.00%, held constant.

Trisodium citrate dihydrate: approximately 3.00%, held constant.

Sodium gluconate: approximately 0.50%, held constant.

Sodium xylene sulfonate solution or another suitable hydrotrope: approximately 2.00% as supplied, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Working temperature, water hardness, dosage, wash duration and mechanical action: fixed across all trials.

These levels provide an initial comparison only. The hydrotrope requirement, alkaline reserve and overall suitability of PLURAFAC LF 300 must be established experimentally; do not assume that the test mixtures will remain transparent or single-phase at every temperature.

Application approach:

1. Add most of the demineralized water to a clean, chemically compatible laboratory vessel under moderate mixing.

2. Dissolve the sodium citrate, sodium gluconate and sodium carbonate separately or in a controlled sequence, ensuring complete dispersion before proceeding.

3. Introduce the selected hydrotrope and mix until the batch is uniform.

4. Add the premeasured PLURAFAC LF 300 slowly while avoiding unnecessary air entrainment; complete the batch with water to 100%.

5. Record the appearance, pH and viscosity of each PLURAFAC LF 300 sample, including any haze or phase separation at relevant storage temperatures.

6. Test equal detergent dosages on standardized greasy and food-soiled dishware under identical automatic dishwashing conditions.

7. Compare soil removal, dynamic foam height, pump or spray performance, rinsing, spotting and visible residue after drying.

8. Select the PLURAFAC LF 300 concentration that delivers the best overall cleaning and low-foam balance, then confirm reproducibility and storage stability.

Automatic dishwashing trials should use suitable protective equipment and chemical-resistant containers. Alkaline ingredients may cause irritation or burns; avoid mist exposure, and confirm compatibility with the machine materials and food-contact-cleaning requirements of the intended market.

EXAMPLE 2: PLURAFAC LF 300 SCREENING IN A RECIRCULATING INDUSTRIAL METAL-PARTS DEGREASER

Objective: Evaluate the influence of PLURAFAC LF 300 on oil removal, wetting speed, operating foam, bath stability and rinseability in a recirculating alkaline cleaning bath for compatible metal parts.

Initial screening composition (laboratory working bath, % w/w):

PLURAFAC LF 300: approximately 0.30%, 0.70% and 1.20% in separate trials.

Sodium carbonate: approximately 0.50%, held constant.

Sodium metasilicate pentahydrate: approximately 0.40%, held constant, subject to substrate compatibility.

GLDA-based aqueous chelating agent: approximately 0.30% as supplied, held constant.

Dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPM) or a technically suitable water-miscible solvent: approximately 3.00%, held constant.

Sodium xylene sulfonate solution or another compatible hydrotrope: approximately 1.00% as supplied, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Bath temperature, circulation rate, soil loading, treatment time and rinse conditions: held constant.

The percentages describe working-bath screening mixtures rather than a ready-to-market concentrate. Suitability for aluminum, zinc, coated parts, seals and other sensitive materials must be assessed individually; an alkaline metasilicate-containing system should not be described as universally metal-safe.

Application approach:

1. Fill a laboratory tank or beaker with most of the demineralized water and begin controlled stirring.

2. Dissolve the sodium carbonate and sodium metasilicate, followed by the GLDA-based chelant, while checking for precipitation.

3. Incorporate the solvent and hydrotrope with sufficient mixing to achieve a uniform bath.

4. Add PLURAFAC LF 300 at the designated screening level; bring each test bath to its final mass using water.

5. Measure pH, appearance, temperature-dependent stability and initial foam behavior before contact with metal samples.

6. Expose standardized, weighed and oil-contaminated metal coupons to each PLURAFAC LF 300 bath using the same circulation or agitation conditions.

7. Assess mass-based oil removal where practical, wetting, foam persistence, residue, rinsing and changes to the metal surface.

8. Repeat after a controlled increase in soil loading to identify the PLURAFAC LF 300 level that maintains useful performance without excessive foam or instability.

Handle alkaline cleaner components and solvent vapors under suitable ventilation with eye and skin protection. Inspect the current safety data sheets and verify substrate corrosion, wastewater handling and local discharge requirements before any scale-up.

EXAMPLE 3: PLURAFAC LF 300 LEVEL EVALUATION IN AN INSTITUTIONAL HARD-SURFACE CLEANER

Objective: Examine whether PLURAFAC LF 300 improves spreading, greasy-fingerprint removal, low-foam wiping and streak-free drying in a mildly alkaline cleaner for compatible washable hard surfaces.

Initial screening composition (finished test formulation, % w/w):

PLURAFAC LF 300: approximately 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% in separate trials.

Sodium citrate: approximately 0.30%, held constant.

Sodium bicarbonate: approximately 0.20%, held constant.

Sodium cumene sulfonate solution or another suitable hydrotrope: approximately 1.00% as supplied, held constant.

Dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPM): approximately 1.50%, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Target pH for initial evaluation: approximately 8.0–9.5, subject to the final composition and substrate tolerance.

Test surface, applied dose, wiping material, soil type, contact time and drying conditions: held constant.

PLURAFAC LF 300 may behave differently in the presence of hydrotropes and dissolved salts. If a sample becomes cloudy or separates, reassess the formulation instead of assuming visual clarity is a prerequisite for cleaning performance.

Application approach:

1. Charge a clean mixing vessel with most of the demineralized water at ambient temperature.

2. Dissolve the sodium citrate and sodium bicarbonate fully under gentle agitation.

3. Add the hydrotrope and the selected water-miscible solvent, then mix to a uniform appearance.

4. Add the required PLURAFAC LF 300 quantity slowly; adjust the batch to 100% with water.

5. Record pH, odor, viscosity, clarity, foam tendency and stability at the intended use and storage temperatures.

6. Apply equal amounts of the test cleaners to standardized glass, glazed ceramic and compatible coated-surface panels carrying a measured fingerprint or grease soil.

7. Evaluate wetting coverage, soil removal after a fixed number of wipes, foam, streaking, tackiness and dry-down time.

8. Compare the PLURAFAC LF 300 levels and select the best compromise between cleaning efficiency, surface appearance and formulation stability.

The proposed hard-surface mixtures are cleaners, not demonstrated disinfectants or sanitizers. Do not make antimicrobial claims without separate efficacy testing and the relevant regulatory authorizations. Check surface compatibility, occupational exposure and all labeling requirements before commercialization.

QUALITY CONTROL AND PURCHASING CRITERIA

For purchase and release, the precise trade identity and product number should match the technical data sheet, SDS, delivery note and supplier quotation. The manufacturer’s recorded product number for Plurafac LF 300 is 30044951, which can help distinguish it from similarly numbered grades.

The supplier's technical data sheet (TDS) explains representative physical properties and evaluation methods. The safety data sheet (SDS) addresses hazards, safe handling, emergency measures and transport classification, while a batch-specific certificate of analysis (COA) records test results against the actual commercial release specification.

Useful grade-verification criteria include appearance, color, measured viscosity with its temperature and method, density, appropriate cloud-point method and concentration, and any supplier-specific limits for impurities or moisture. Not every TDS value will appear as a guaranteed specification, so acceptance ranges should be agreed rather than inferred from representative averages.

A cloud-point result expressed simply as “48 °C” without the EN 1890 method and test medium is ambiguous. The same grade shows different numerical results under Methods A, D and E, and comparisons across suppliers are meaningful only when the procedures match.

Likewise, a viscosity value of 75 without units, method or temperature is inadequate. LF 300 is approximately 75 mPa·s at 23 °C, 140 mPa·s at 10 °C and 250 mPa·s at 0 °C in the representative technical table, even before considering the pronounced effect of water addition.

Industrial users may also request packaging details, lot traceability, date of manufacture, recommended storage guidance, current SDS revision, country-specific inventory statements and confirmation of any necessary certifications. Do not infer certifications, available stock, origin or guaranteed lead times solely from a publicly available product profile.

Compatibility or suitability declarations for ecolabel-related evaluation are not the same as certification of a finished cleaner. Where a customer requires an ecolabel, assessment should cover every relevant ingredient, the complete end-product formula and the applicable current program rules.

For new suppliers or changed lots, a modest-scale incoming inspection can help catch differences in color, viscosity, cloud point or behavior in the user's standard formulation. The ultimate goal is not just confirming a raw-material test number but preserving reproducible performance in the finished cleaning product.

FIRST AID

Inhalation
If Plurafac LF 300 mist or aerosol is inhaled and symptoms develop, move the person to fresh air and keep them comfortable. Seek medical advice for persistent coughing, breathing difficulty or other symptoms, and follow the current supplier SDS for specific measures; this text is not a substitute for that document.

Skin Contact
After skin contact with Plurafac LF 300, remove contaminated clothing and wash affected skin thoroughly with water. Obtain medical advice if irritation develops or persists, and do not use solvents or improvised chemical neutralizers to clean the skin.

Eye Contact
If Plurafac LF 300 enters the eyes, begin careful rinsing immediately with clean lukewarm water for several minutes, holding the eyelids open where practical and removing contact lenses if easy to do. Obtain prompt medical attention if pain, redness, blurred vision or irritation persists, and follow the exact duration and urgency stated in the current product-specific SDS.

Ingestion
If Plurafac LF 300 is swallowed, rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting, and contact a medical professional or poison-information service for instructions. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person; retain the label and SDS for medical staff.

Medical Information
Clinical management after exposure to Plurafac LF 300 should be based on symptoms, exposure route, dose and the current regional SDS. No product-specific antidote or special physician treatment was verified from the public product-family document, so such claims are not made here.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling
Handle Plurafac LF 300 as an industrial surfactant raw material, avoiding unnecessary skin and eye exposure and minimizing splashes and generated mists. Use work procedures appropriate to the complete hazard classification in the current SDS, not assumptions based on the chemical's low-foam or nonionic description.

Engineering Controls
Where Plurafac LF 300 is pumped, blended or transferred, provide suitable containment, good general ventilation and local controls where mist exposure is plausible. Engineering design should account for the large viscosity rise possible during water addition at intermediate composition.

Personal Protective Equipment
When handling Plurafac LF 300, use splash-protective eye equipment, work clothing and chemically appropriate gloves selected under the current supplier SDS and workplace risk assessment. Confirm glove material, permeation and change intervals using the actual conditions and other chemicals in the formulation.

Respiratory Protection
For Plurafac LF 300, respiratory controls depend on aerosol generation and measured or assessed workplace exposure. If ventilation is inadequate, use protection selected by competent occupational personnel with reference to the current SDS and local requirements; no universal respirator cartridge is specified here.

Storage Containers
Store Plurafac LF 300 indoors in its original, tightly closed packaging according to the manufacturer’s product-family recommendations. Reseal drums after dispensing because the family guidance notes a tendency to absorb moisture, which can change the behavior of raw material and formulations.

Storage Temperature
The manufacturer advises avoiding storage substantially below 20 °C and avoiding excessive heat for the LF family; this is a handling recommendation rather than a statement that the product chemically decomposes below 20 °C. Low-temperature cloudiness or precipitation can occur without necessarily indicating loss of performance.

Reconditioning
For Plurafac LF 300 and related LF types showing low-temperature precipitation, the published guidance discusses gentle warming around 40–50 °C and warns that reconditioning temperatures should not exceed 50–60 °C. Reconditioning must be carried out under appropriate equipment-specific procedures, without local overheating or internal electrical heaters that could produce temperature spikes.

Heated Bulk Storage
The manufacturer’s family instructions state that heated tanks held around 50 °C should be nitrogen blanketed to limit air contact; gentle stirring can help manage localized heat effects. This is specialized plant-storage guidance, not a universal requirement to nitrogen-blanket every closed original drum kept at ambient temperature.

Construction Materials
The technical information identifies AISI 316 Ti and AISI 321 stainless steels as suitable materials for tanks and drums for the LF family. Full system compatibility of gaskets, liners, hoses, plastics, coatings and seals still requires a separate review under the actual formulation and temperature conditions.

Spill Response
For a spill of Plurafac LF 300, control access, avoid slipping hazards and prevent unnecessary release to drains. Contain and absorb the liquid with an appropriate inert absorbent if safe, collect waste into suitable containers, and follow the current SDS and site emergency procedures.

Fire Response
For fires involving Plurafac LF 300 or surrounding materials, use extinguishing methods recommended by the current SDS and the site fire plan. Avoid assuming a particular flash point, combustibility classification or decomposition-gas profile from other members of the product family.

Environmental Precautions
Prevent uncontrolled release of Plurafac LF 300 to surface water, groundwater or sewers. The environmental hazard profile and wastewater-treatment suitability must be assessed using current product-specific ecotoxicity and SDS information; nonionic chemistry alone does not establish harmlessness to aquatic organisms.

Waste Disposal
Dispose of unused Plurafac LF 300 and contaminated packaging through applicable industrial waste-management procedures. Waste classification can change with contamination, the formulation into which the product was blended, local regulations and the actual SDS.

SAFETY AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Plurafac LF 300 is an industrial surface-active chemical and must be evaluated according to the current regional supplier SDS for hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements and any exposure controls. The technical product-family sheet reviewed for this profile expressly directs users to the SDS for classification, safe use, handling and transport.

A publicly accessible, current, grade-specific and jurisdiction-specific SDS containing a complete confirmed transport entry was not established during preparation of this profile. Consequently, no UN number, packing group, transport class or categorical “nonhazardous for transport” claim is assigned here by inference.

Likewise, eye- and skin-hazard categories should not be inferred from the classification of another Plurafac number or from a distributor's general characterization. Concentrated surfactants can cause significant effects on contact depending on composition, and first-aid and personal-protection procedures must be aligned with the actual labeling.

Transport documentation should identify the product name and any required technical description, and it should be checked against the applicable ADR/RID, IMDG or IATA provisions as relevant. Regional classification can depend on precise composition and updated criteria; shipping arrangements should therefore be reviewed before consignment.

Environmental disposal and discharge compliance require more than the phrase “biodegradable surfactant.” Request appropriate biodegradation and ecotoxicity data for the relevant product identity and verify any detergent-market or ecolabel criteria for the target region.

Although the manufacturer’s product family has technical handling guidance, it does not automatically establish food-contact suitability, biocidal approval, cosmetic grade, medical suitability or performance against specific microorganisms. These are separate questions requiring applicable certificates and end-use validation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PLURAFAC LF 300

What is Plurafac LF 300?
Plurafac LF 300 is a liquid, low-foaming, nonionic surfactant based on alkoxylated, predominantly unbranched fatty alcohols, containing ethylene-oxide-derived and higher-alkylene-oxide-derived segments.

Is Plurafac LF 300 a single pure compound?
No. The trade grade is an alcohol-alkoxylate distribution, so it should not be assigned a single molecular formula or uniform molar mass.

What are its manufacturer-listed CAS numbers?
The product record lists CAS 50861-66-0 and 196823-11-7; the current grade-specific SDS should be consulted to determine the regulatory identifiers for a particular market.

Does Plurafac LF 300 have a verified single EC number?
A single EC/EINECS number for the complete commercial grade was not reliably established from the reviewed primary records.

What is the commercial product number?
The manufacturer identifies Plurafac LF 300 under product reference 30044951.

What does LF mean in the product name?
LF identifies the low-foaming product family; it does not mean the material is incapable of generating foam.

What chemical class does LF 300 belong to?
It is a nonionic fatty alcohol alkoxylate, not an anionic sulfonate, sulfate, cationic disinfectant or silicone antifoam.

Does it contain ethylene-oxide-derived groups?
Yes. The manufacturer describes ethylene-oxide-derived units alongside higher alkylene-oxide-derived segments.

Is the fatty alcohol portion always exactly the same chain length?
The public description does not establish one uniform alkyl-chain length for every constituent of this commercial grade.

Is it an end-capped surfactant?
The manufacturer identifies LF 131, LF 231 and LF 431 specifically as alkyl-capped members; it does not describe LF 300 in that same subgroup.

What physical form is it at room temperature?
It is a liquid at 23 °C, described for the product family as clear to slightly cloudy and generally colorless to yellow.

What is its active concentration?
The November 2023 product-family technical table reports approximately 100% concentration; this is not a claim of analytical 100% molecular purity.

What is its typical density?
Approximately 0.97 g/cm³ at 23 °C, measured according to DIN 51757 in the representative manufacturer table.

What is its typical viscosity at 23 °C?
Approximately 75 mPa·s, measured by EN 12092 using a Brookfield LVT method.

What is its viscosity at 10 °C?
Approximately 140 mPa·s in the November 2023 technical comparison.

What is its viscosity at 0 °C?
Approximately 250 mPa·s in the same manufacturer comparison.

Is its viscosity independent of temperature?
No. Its representative neat-product viscosity increases as the temperature falls from 23 °C to 0 °C.

What is its setting point?
Approximately -30 °C by DIN 51583, which is not equivalent to a sharp molecular melting point.

What pH is reported?
Approximately pH 7 by EN 1262, solution B; this is a test-preparation result rather than an intrinsic pH of the neat liquid.

What cloud point is reported in distilled water?
Approximately 22 °C by EN 1890 Method A, which uses 1 g surfactant in 100 g distilled water.

What is the Method D cloud point?
Approximately 53 °C using the specified butyldiglycol-containing EN 1890 Method D medium.

What is the Method E cloud point?
Approximately 48 °C using the different prescribed EN 1890 Method E medium.

Why are three cloud-point temperatures reported?
They refer to different test compositions and therefore are not interchangeable values for the same water solution.

Does the 53 °C result mean it stays clear in plain water up to 53 °C?
No. The 53 °C result comes from Method D, not a plain-water cloud-point test.

Is Plurafac LF 300 clear at 10% in distilled water?
No. The representative 23 °C solubility screen reports it as not clearly soluble at a 10% test concentration.

Is the 10% potable-water mixture clear?
No. The product-family solubility comparison records the 10% mixture as not clearly soluble in potable water at 23 °C.

Does insufficient water clarity mean Plurafac LF 300 cannot clean?
No. Surfactant activity at interfaces can remain useful in dispersed systems, but phase stability and delivery must be confirmed.

Can a hydrotrope improve clarity?
Potentially. The product-family guidance discusses alcohols, glycols and sodium cumene sulfonate as solubilizing options for certain grades, subject to formulation testing.

Does Plurafac LF 300 dissolve clearly in ethanol?
The manufacturer’s comparative 10% solubility screen reports a clear solution in ethanol at 23 °C.

Does Plurafac LF 300 dissolve clearly in isopropanol?
The same screen reports clear solubility at 10% and 23 °C, without establishing behavior at every possible concentration.

Is Plurafac LF 300 compatible with mineral spirit?
The product-family 10% test records a clear solution in mineral spirit at 23 °C; performance of full formulas still needs testing.

What does its 5% hydrochloric acid test indicate?
The 10% surfactant solubility screening reports a clear mixture in 5% hydrochloric acid at 23 °C; this is not a long-term acid-stability certification.

What happens in 5% sodium chloride test solution?
The manufacturer’s 10% mixture is listed as opalescent at 23 °C, not fully clear.

What is reported for 5% caustic soda?
The 10% LF 300 solubility screen is marked not clearly soluble at 23 °C.

What is the surface tension measurement of Plurafac LF 300?
Approximately 28 mN/m at 23 °C for 1 g/L in distilled water under EN 14370, with the specified correction.

How much foam does the manufacturer report?
Approximately 45 mL under EN 12728, a standardized test rather than a fixed foam volume for every detergent.

Is Plurafac LF 300 a true zero-foam ingredient?
No. It is classified as low-foaming, but it produces a measurable 45 mL result in the reported test.

Is a low-foam surfactant the same as a defoamer?
No. Low-foam surfactants reduce the tendency to form persistent foam while also providing detergency; dedicated defoamers are chosen to suppress existing foam.

What is its wetting time at 23 °C and 0.5 g/L?
Approximately 40 seconds by EN 1772 using distilled water and 2 g/L soda ash.

What is its wetting time at 23 °C and 1 g/L?
Approximately 15 seconds under the same wetting test.

What is its wetting time at 23 °C and 2 g/L?
Approximately 5 seconds in the manufacturer table.

What is its wetting time at 70 °C and 1 g/L?
Approximately 100 seconds in the specified EN 1772 test medium.

Why are hot-test wetting times longer?
The measurements indicate that wetting is sensitive to temperature and phase behavior; they do not by themselves prove poorer finished-detergent cleaning at elevated temperature.

Does Plurafac LF 300 become thicker when diluted with water?
Yes, at some intermediate binary compositions. The manufacturer reports a very large viscosity maximum near 40% added water.

What viscosity is reported at 40% added water?
Greater than 100,000 mPa·s at 23 °C in the manufacturer binary-mixture comparison.

What viscosity is reported at 50% added water?
Approximately 4,800 mPa·s at 23 °C for the specified binary mixture.

Is the dilution viscosity relationship linear?
No. The published data vary sharply across the concentration range and cannot be described by a straight-line dilution rule.

What mixing precaution does the technical guidance give?
For aqueous preparation, it advises stirring the surfactant into water, because the reverse mixing direction can produce excessive viscosity at certain concentrations.

Can the original low viscosity be used to size every production pump?
No. Intermediate compositions during blending can be much more viscous than the neat product.

Is Plurafac LF 300 appropriate for machine dishwashing?
Machine dishwashing is among the manufacturer-listed application areas; suitability depends on the complete wash or rinse formula and machine conditions.

Can Plurafac LF 300 be used in industrial cleaning?
Yes, industrial cleaning is a documented application category, with specific performance requiring test validation.

Is food-service and kitchen hygiene a documented area?
Yes. The manufacturer lists this category, but that does not create direct food-additive or unlimited food-contact authorization.

Can Plurafac LF 300 be considered in institutional cleaning?
Yes. It appears in the manufacturer institutional cleaning and sanitation application category, but it is not automatically a biocidal active substance.

Can Plurafac LF 300 be considered for acidic CIP?
It is connected to acidic CIP application concepts, and a dilute acid solubility screen is favorable; actual circulation conditions and compatibility must still be tested.

Does Plurafac LF 300 remove limescale by itself?
No. Mineral scale removal generally depends on appropriate cleaning chemistry; LF 300 mainly supplies interfacial surfactant functions.

Is Plurafac LF 300 a disinfectant?
No independent disinfectant efficacy or authorization was verified for this trade grade, so no such claim should be made.

Is it a food additive?
No E number or INS food-additive designation is established for the grade.

Is Plurafac LF 300 automatically safe for food-contact surfaces?
No. The complete cleaning formulation, rinse process and applicable jurisdictional rules determine acceptability.

Can Plurafac LF 300 be used in transparent rinse-aid concentrates?
It may be evaluated, but water-clarity limitations mean solubilizer choice and finished-product stability must be carefully checked.

Does the grade have a verified INCI name?
No grade-specific INCI designation was independently verified from the reviewed manufacturer record.

Can an INCI name alone prove cosmetic authorization?
No. Ingredient naming does not establish suitability of a particular industrial grade or compliance of a finished cosmetic.

Is Plurafac LF 300 the same as LF 224?
No. They are different grades with documented differences in foam, wetting, viscosity and phase behavior.

Is Plurafac LF 300 the same as LF 231?
No. LF 231 is specifically described as alkyl capped and has a different representative property profile.

Is Plurafac LF 300 interchangeable with LF 301 or LF 303?
Not automatically. Their different published viscosity and foam data require reformulation and validation before substitution.

What is a TDS used for?
A technical data sheet summarizes typical characteristics and methods; it does not automatically establish contractual batch limits.

What is an SDS used for?
A safety data sheet gives the current applicable hazard, handling, storage, emergency and transport information for a grade and region.

What is a COA used for?
A certificate of analysis documents batch-specific measurements against the supplier’s agreed release specification.

Are the November 2023 values guaranteed specification limits?
No. The manufacturer identifies them as representative averages that do not necessarily form part of the specification.

Is a flash point documented in the reviewed product-family table?
No grade-specific flash-point value was established there; consult the current LF 300 SDS.

What is its UN transport number?
A current verified UN number was not available from the reviewed primary documentation, so no transport number is assigned by guesswork.

Can the SDS for LF 231 be used for LF 300?
No. Safety classifications must be based on the exact product grade and relevant regulatory jurisdiction.

How should it be stored?
The manufacturer advises original tightly sealed packaging indoors, suitable temperatures and protection from excessive moisture uptake.

What is the published shelf life?
At least two years in properly stored, tightly sealed original packaging under the manufacturer’s product-family guidance, subject to current product documentation.

Does low-temperature cloudiness always mean degradation?
Not necessarily. The family guidance notes that low-temperature cloudiness can be reversible, but unexpected appearance changes warrant evaluation.

Can solidified drums be reheated?
The manufacturer provides guidance for gentle reconditioning with controlled heating; avoid local overheating and follow approved plant procedures.

Why are internal electrical heaters discouraged?
The family guidance warns that local hot spots from internal heaters may cause undesirable effects during drum reconditioning.

What storage metals are listed?
AISI 316 Ti and AISI 321 stainless steels are identified for tanks or drums in the product-family technical information.

Does nonionic chemistry imply environmental harmlessness?
No. Environmental effects depend on actual composition, concentration, biodegradation and ecotoxicological properties.

Does it have confirmed EU Ecolabel certification?
A suitability or declaration reference may support evaluation, but no finished-product ecolabel certification follows automatically.

What should purchasers confirm before ordering?
Confirm LF 300 identity and product number, current SDS, technical specification, appropriate packaging, batch traceability, documentation and intended-use compatibility.

How can a manufacturer assess whether LF 300 is a good choice?
Run realistic tests for foam, cleaning, wetting, clarity, storage stability, dilution viscosity, rinsing, substrate compatibility and regulatory suitability.

What should be done after accidental eye contact?
Rinse immediately and carefully with water, seek medical advice for significant or persistent symptoms, and follow the current product SDS.

What should be done after accidental ingestion?
Rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting, obtain professional guidance, and supply the product label or SDS to the medical service.

Can Ataman Kimya discuss availability and documentation?
Customers may contact Ataman Kimya to ask about suitable grade documentation, packaging options, availability and quotations; stock and certifications require confirmation.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Plurafac LF 300 is a commercial liquid fatty alcohol alkoxylate surfactant designed for low-foam cleaning and detergent systems. It has an approximately 100% concentration in the manufacturer’s November 2023 product-family data and is listed for dishwashing, food-service and kitchen hygiene, institutional cleaning and industrial cleaning.

The representative values of Plurafac LF 300 include approximately 75 mPa·s dynamic viscosity at 23 °C, 0.97 g/cm³ density at 23 °C, a setting point near -30 °C, a Method A cloud point near 22 °C, 45 mL foam formation by EN 12728, and approximately 28 mN/m surface tension at 1 g/L and 23 °C. Those values remain typical reference observations, not guaranteed COA limits.

Two practical distinctions deserve particular attention. First, LF 300 is not clearly soluble in the manufacturer’s 10% water-mixture screen at 23 °C, so transparent concentrates may need further solubilization development. Second, its viscosity changes very non-linearly with added water, reaching an exceptionally thick intermediate state in the binary 23 °C test and therefore requiring thoughtful mixing and transfer procedures.

Plurafac LF 300 offers relevant interfacial functions, but its use is subject to finished-formulation compatibility, foam performance, storage stability and applicable regulations. Health hazards and transport details must be checked against the current regional grade-specific SDS rather than inferred from a related product, and purchasing acceptance must rely on the supplier's actual agreed specification.

CONTACT ATAMAN KIMYA

For Plurafac LF 300 selection, Ataman Kimya can be contacted to discuss the intended cleaning process, target foam profile, requirements for finished-product clarity, and the suitability of the grade for a proposed formulation. Customers may also request information concerning current technical documentation, available packaging, relevant supplier specifications and quotation procedures.

Because concentration, hydrotrope selection and processing order can change the behavior of Plurafac LF 300 significantly, communicating the expected water quality, storage conditions, operating temperature and equipment type can help frame a useful technical discussion. Current stock, certificates, shipping classification and delivery conditions should be confirmed during the commercial inquiry and are not promised in this profile.

Ataman Chemicals
Phone: +90 216 577 10 10
Email: info@atamankimya.com