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Plurafac LF-403 is a low foaming nonionic surfactant.
Plurafac LF-403 consists of alkoxylated, predominantly unbranched fatty alcohols, and contains higher alkene oxides alongside ethylene oxide.
This product has a viscosity of approximately 60 mPa·s at 23°C.
CAS No.131594-92-8
Chemical Name:Plurafac LF 403
SynonymsPlurafac LF 403
CBNumber:CB41214648
Synonyms: atty Alcohol Alkoxylate, Alcohol Alkoxylate, Ethoxylated Propoxylated Fatty Alcohol, Alkoxylated Fatty Alcohol, Low-Foaming Nonionic Surfactant, Nonionic Surfactant, Fatty Alcohol EO/PO Adduct, C12-15 Alcohol Ethoxylate Propoxylate, Alcohols C12-15 Branched and Linear Ethoxylated Propoxylated, Wetting/Defoaming Surfactant.
Plurafac LF 403 is a 131594-92-8 registered, 100% active low-foaming nonionic surfactant manufactured by BASF.
Plurafac LF 403 is primarily designed for industrial and institutional cleaning applications where foam suppression and excellent wetting properties are required.
1. CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION AND CAS NUMBER
Plurafac LF 403 is a high performance, low foaming nonionic surfactant developed by the global chemical manufacturer BASF.
Plurafac LF 403 belongs to the class of fatty alcohol alkoxylates.
Plurafac LF 403 is specifically designed to provide excellent wetting and detergency while maintaining strict foam control in high pressure mechanical cleaning systems.
Chemical Name: Fatty Alcohol Alkoxylate
Generic Chemical Class Description: Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated propoxylated
Molecular Formula Structure:
The formula in plain text format is written as follows: R minus O minus (CH2 minus CH2 minus O)x minus (CH2 minus CH(CH3) minus O)y minus H
Explanation of the components within this molecular structure:
R: Represents a linear, synthetic fatty alcohol chain typically containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms.
This section forms the hydrophobic (oil loving) tail of the molecule.
x: Represents the number of moles of ethylene oxide (EO) added to the molecule.
Ethylene oxide provides the hydrophilic (water loving) character and boosts cleaning power.
y: Represents the number of moles of propylene oxide (PO) added to the molecule.
The propylene oxide block is the key element responsible for the low foaming profile, providing foam suppression and defoaming properties.
2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Plurafac LF 403 is a stable raw material that blends easily with other components in chemical formulations.
Its primary physical and chemical specifications are listed below:
Physical Appearance: Clear to slightly cloudy liquid at room temperature.
Active Content: Approximately 100 percent.
Plurafac LF 403 contains no solvents or water carriers, making Plurafac LF 403 a pure chemical substance.
Cloud Point: 40 to 46 degrees Celsius, measured in a 1 percent aqueous solution.
This temperature is the critical threshold where the product transitions into its defoaming active state.
pH Value: 5.0 to 7.0, measured in a 5 percent aqueous solution.
Plurafac LF 403 has a neutral character, making it safe for both acidic and alkaline formulations.
Viscosity: Approximately 60 mPa.s at 23 degrees Celsius.
Due to its fluid liquid state, it is easy to pump and dose in industrial facilities.
Density: Approximately 0.97 grams per cubic centimeter at 23 degrees Celsius.
Solubility: Completely soluble in water at temperatures below its cloud point.
Plurafac LF 403 also exhibits high solubility in various organic solvents such as alcohols and glycols.
3. MECHANISM OF ACTION AND FOAM CONTROL PERFORMANCE
The main reason Plurafac LF 403 is highly preferred in industrial applications is its ability to combine strong cleaning performance with near zero foam production.
While standard alcohol ethoxylates generate large amounts of stable foam, the propylene oxide (PO) blocks in the Plurafac LF 403 molecule disrupt the surface elasticity of foam films.
Under high mechanical shear or in systems with fast circulation pumps, any micro foam bubbles generated collapse and burst within seconds.
The thermal behavior of the product supports this mechanism. When the temperature of the washing solution rises above the cloud point (42 degrees Celsius), Plurafac LF 403 temporarily loses its solubility in water and separates into microscopic droplets.
In this phase, Plurafac LF 403 acts as an extremely effective defoamer (antifoam).
When the temperature drops below the cloud point, Plurafac LF 403 completely dissolves back into the water to continue its primary cleaning (detergent) duty.
4. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS AND USAGE AREAS
A. Industrial and Institutional (I and I) Cleaning Sector:
Automatic Dishwashing Detergents and Rinse Aids: In industrial dishwashers, high water pressure causes severe foaming issues.
Plurafac LF 403 is used in powder detergents, liquid detergents, tablets, and rinse aids.
Plurafac LF 403 prevents water spotting and film formation on glassware and porcelain, ensuring streak free and shiny drying.
Commercial Bottle Washing Facilities: In factories where returnable glass bottles (such as beer, soda, and milk bottles) are cleaned, heavy duty alkaline baths are prepared to remove labels and adhesives.
Plurafac LF 403 is added to these formulations to suppress foam and rapidly remove organic soil residues from the glass surface.
Clean In Place (CIP) Systems: In food, dairy, and beverage industries, pipelines, tanks, and pasteurizers are cleaned without dismantling by circulating chemical solutions through them under high pressure.
Plurafac LF 403 is an essential component to ensure zero foam buildup, preventing circulation pumps from losing suction due to air pockets.
B. Metal Surface Treatment and Automotive Industry:
Metal Degreasers: During production, metal parts are coated with cutting oils, protective greases, and anti rust oil layers.
These must be completely removed prior to painting or plating. Plurafac LF 403 is incorporated into alkaline, acidic, or neutral metal cleaners to strip away these heavy oils.
High Pressure Spray Cleaning Lines: Spray nozzles used in washing automotive parts spray water at very high pressures.
This surfactant plays a key role in preventing foam explosions inside the spray cabinets.
C. Textile Sector Applications:
Textile Pretreatment and Bleaching Processes: During the scouring (cooking) and bleaching phases of raw fabrics before dyeing, rapid wetting of the surface is critical.
Plurafac LF 403 penetrates deep into the textile fibers without creating a foam blanket under high speed liquor circulation, successfully removing natural impurities like waxes and oils.
D. Household Cleaning Products:
Hard Surface Cleaners: Plurafac LF 403 is preferred in floor cleaners, window sprays, and kitchen degreasers that do not require rinsing, aiming to produce formulations that dry easily without leaving marks or streaks.
5. FORMULATION GUIDELINES AND COMPATIBILITY INFORMATION
Compatibility with Other Surfactants: Plurafac LF 403 is fully compatible with nonionic, anionic (such as LABSA or SLES), and cationic surfactants.
Combining Plurafac LF 403 with anionic surfactants can increase detergency (dirt removal power), but this combination may raise the cloud point of the mixture and slightly increase foaming tendencies. Formulators must balance this ratio carefully.
Chemical Stability: The product maintains its chemical structure completely in acidic environments and moderate alkaline systems, meaning Plurafac LF 403 does not undergo hydrolysis.
However, Plurafac LF 403 should not be kept in direct, long term contact with highly concentrated hot acids or strong oxidizing agents (such as high levels of hydrogen peroxide or active chlorine).
Electrolyte and Hard Water Tolerance: Plurafac LF 403 maintains its performance and dissolving capacity even in hard water containing high concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions.
Plurafac LF 403 exhibits high compatibility with cleaning builder salts frequently used in formulations, such as phosphates, silicates, citrates, and carbonates.
6. STORAGE, HANDLING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
Storage Conditions: The ideal storage temperature for the product is between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.
If the product is stored below 10 degrees Celsius during cold winter conditions, Plurafac LF 403 may solidify, gel, or become highly viscous.
This does not mean the product is spoiled.
Gently heating and stirring the drum or tank will restore the product to its original liquid state without any loss of performance.
Shelf Life: When stored in its original unopened packaging, tightly sealed drums, or containers, Plurafac LF 403 remains stable for at least 24 months from the date of manufacture.
Environmental Profile and Biodegradability: Plurafac LF 403 features an environmentally friendly profile.
According to the criteria of the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD), Plurafac LF 403 is readily biodegradable.
Because Plurafac LF 403 is quickly broken down into harmless components by bacteria in wastewater treatment plants, Plurafac LF 403 does not cause persistent foam pollution or toxic accumulation in rivers and water resources.
Chemical Nature & Technical Properties
Chemical Composition: It consists of alkoxylated, predominantly unbranched (linear) fatty alcohols containing higher alkene oxides alongside ethylene oxide.
Physical Form: Clear to yellowish liquid.Viscosity (at 23°C): Approx. 60 mPa·s.
Surface Tension (1 g/l at 23°C): Approx. 30 mN/m.
Cloud Point: Approx. 41°C.
pH Value (50 g/l at 23°C): Approx. 7 (Neutral).
Solidification Temperature: Approx. -25 °C.
Key Performance Features
Foam Control: Extremely low-foaming profile, making Plurafac LF 403 perfect for high-pressure or high-agitation systems.
Hard Water Stability: Plurafac LF 403 does not react with calcium, magnesium, or other cations present in hard water.
Chemical Compatibility: Highly compatible with other nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants, as well as soluble alkali salts.
Formulation Flexibility: Can be seamlessly integrated into powder, paste, and liquid product forms.
Primary Applications
Industrial & Institutional Detergents: Automatic dishwasher detergents (ADD), commercial bottle washing, and dairy cleaners.
Metal Working & Processing: Cleaners and degreasers specifically designed for the metal industry (e.g., spray degreasing).
Specialized Sectors: Used in industrial cleaners, oil industry applications, and specific cosmetic formulations.
