PLURAFAC LF 901

CAS Number: 166736-08-9 (commercial product CAS reported in the manufacturer's product finder; verify against the delivered regional SDS)
EC Number: Not reliably established for the precise commercial grade in the reviewed primary product documents
Molecular Formula: Variable; proprietary distribution of fatty alcohol alkoxylates
Molecular Weight: Variable; no single numerical molecular weight applicable to the commercial distribution
Boiling Point: Greater than 250 °C in a March 2019 U.S. regional SDS; not a recommended operating temperature
Melting Point: Not a sharp pure-compound melting point; representative setting point approximately -15 °C (DIN 51583, November 2023 technical information)
Viscosity: Dynamic viscosity approximately 130 mPa·s at 23 °C, 300 mPa·s at 10 °C and 600 mPa·s at 0 °C (EN 12092, Brookfield LVT; representative 2023 values)
Density: Approximately 1.01 g/cm3 at 23 °C (DIN 51757; representative 2023 value)

COMMON PRODUCT AND CHEMICAL NAMES

Plurafac LF 901
Plurafac® LF 901
Fatty alcohol alkoxylate (chemical-family descriptor)
Alcohol alkoxylate (chemical-family descriptor)
Low-foaming nonionic surfactant (functional description)

The trade grade identifies a particular commercial surfactant distribution, while alcohol alkoxylate and nonionic surfactant describe much broader classes. These expressions should not be used as evidence that every alcohol alkoxylate is chemically or commercially interchangeable with Plurafac LF 901. Product reference 30273371 and the grade name are useful when specifying or requesting documentation.

WHAT IS PLURAFAC LF 901?

Plurafac LF 901 is an industrial surfactant ingredient designed to modify the behavior of water and dispersed soils at liquid-solid, liquid-liquid and liquid-air interfaces. The manufacturer's product listing calls it a low-foaming nonionic surfactant and identifies approximately 100% active concentration. It is not a fully formulated detergent, disinfectant, antimicrobial active ingredient or ready-to-use cleaning solution.

The nonionic character distinguishes it from anionic surfactants, which carry negative charge, and cationic surfactants, which carry positive charge. Nonionic surfactants generally rely on polyether hydration rather than permanent electrostatic charge for aqueous compatibility, but their actual behavior remains sensitive to dissolved electrolytes, temperature, hydrocarbon chain distribution and additives.

In a working detergent, Plurafac LF 901 can help cleaning solution contact a soiled surface, redistribute oily contamination and manage foam so mechanical equipment can function reliably. It does not independently eliminate hardness ions, supply alkalinity or provide microbial kill claims. Those outcomes require other appropriate formulation constituents and, where relevant, registered biocidal actives and validated testing.

The manufacturer's November 2023 technical bulletin is a useful starting point because it measures multiple grades under common methods. Its numbers are representative averages across batches, not binding purchase specifications. Commercial decisions should therefore combine those data with the current technical specification, the safety data sheet for the destination market and a batch-specific certificate of analysis.

CAS NUMBER, EC / EINECS NUMBER AND CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION

The manufacturer's product finder associates Plurafac LF 901 with CAS 166736-08-9 and commercial product number 30273371. A CAS-based description in a product finder is a practical identifier for the commercial material, but does not reveal all components of a proprietary alkoxylate distribution. The reviewed March 2019 U.S. SDS describes a fatty alcohol alkoxylate constituent within a trade-secret composition field, consistent with a commercially specified mixture of related molecules.

No reliable exact EC/EINECS number for the complete commercial grade could be established from the primary product documents examined for this profile. It would be inaccurate to insert an EC number belonging to another alkoxylate family or to interpret the product reference as a registration identifier. Request the current regional identification and inventory status when import, compliance reporting or product stewardship depends on the exact constituent identity.

An exact molecular formula and a single molecular weight are likewise unsuitable. Alkoxylation produces a distribution of molecules with different numbers and arrangements of alkylene-oxide units, and the detailed structure is not fully disclosed in the product documents. The product may therefore be characterized by its technical properties and documented commercial identifiers rather than by a simplistic molecular formula.

No verified grade-specific INCI designation or E/INS food-additive number was identified. These identifiers are deliberately omitted from the opening data block. Use in food-processing cleaning systems does not mean that Plurafac LF 901 is an approved additive for incorporation into food.

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS

A fatty alcohol alkoxylate has a lipophilic segment originating from a fatty alcohol and a hydrophilic or partially hydrophilic polyether segment formed during alkoxylation. The polyether oxygen atoms can accept hydrogen bonds from water, while hydrocarbon portions associate with nonpolar soil or interfaces. Their balance is critical to wetting and detergency, but a detailed block sequence or exact oxide ratio cannot be assigned to Plurafac LF 901 from the public technical documents.

The amphiphilic molecules migrate toward liquid-air, liquid-oil and liquid-solid boundaries. This interfacial enrichment changes surface free energy and facilitates the spread of the cleaning liquid over the substrate. It can also help separate soil from the substrate when combined with suitable chemistry and agitation. These mechanisms are common to surfactants, but the product-specific test results determine whether the desired practical effect is achieved.

The polyether region does not carry a fixed ionic head-group charge. Its water affinity instead depends partly on hydration, which weakens as temperature rises for many alkoxylated nonionics. This provides a molecular explanation for a measurable cloud point, phase behavior in salty media and differences in wetting performance between room temperature and elevated temperature.

The manufacturer's family document specifically distinguishes certain other LF grades as alkyl-end-capped. It does not identify LF 901 among those explicitly listed capped grades; consequently, this profile does not claim that LF 901 has a confirmed terminal alkyl cap. Nor does it claim an exact carbon-chain length, alkoxylation number or hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value not disclosed in primary documentation.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Commercial product: Plurafac LF 901
Product reference: 30273371
Physical form at 23 °C: Liquid
Appearance: Clear to slightly cloudy, colorless to yellowish (general LF family description; consistent with the historical SDS)
Active concentration: Approximately 100% (manufacturer technical bulletin; not a guarantee of exact purity)
Cloud point, EN 1890 Method A: Approximately 38 °C
Cloud point, EN 1890 Method B: Approximately 30 °C
Cloud point, EN 1890 Method D: Approximately 53 °C
Cloud point, EN 1890 Method E: Approximately 48 °C
Foam formation, EN 12728: Approximately 20 mL
pH, EN 1262 solution B: Approximately 7
Density, DIN 51757, at 23 °C: Approximately 1.01 g/cm3
Setting point, DIN 51583: Approximately -15 °C
Dynamic viscosity, EN 12092 / Brookfield LVT, at 23 °C: Approximately 130 mPa·s
Dynamic viscosity, EN 12092 / Brookfield LVT, at 10 °C: Approximately 300 mPa·s
Dynamic viscosity, EN 12092 / Brookfield LVT, at 0 °C: Approximately 600 mPa·s
Wetting time, EN 1772, at 23 °C and 0.5 g/L surfactant: Approximately 80 seconds
Wetting time, EN 1772, at 23 °C and 1.0 g/L surfactant: Approximately 30 seconds
Wetting time, EN 1772, at 23 °C and 2.0 g/L surfactant: Approximately 10 seconds
Wetting time, EN 1772, at 70 °C and 0.5 g/L surfactant: Greater than 300 seconds
Wetting time, EN 1772, at 70 °C and 1.0 g/L surfactant: Approximately 150 seconds
Wetting time, EN 1772, at 70 °C and 2.0 g/L surfactant: Approximately 80 seconds
Surface tension, EN 14370, 1 g/L in distilled water at 23 °C: Approximately 29 mN/m (Harkins-Jordan correction)
Solubility screening, 10% at 23 °C: Clear soluble in distilled water and potable water
Solubility screening, 10% at 23 °C: Clear soluble in 5% hydrochloric acid solution and 5% salt solution
Solubility screening, 10% at 23 °C: Not clear soluble in 5% caustic soda solution
Solubility screening, 10% at 23 °C: Opalescent in mineral spirit and spindle oil
Solubility screening, 10% at 23 °C: Clear soluble in ethanol and isopropanol
Boiling point: Greater than 250 °C (2019 U.S. SDS)
Flash point: Approximately 200 °C (2019 U.S. SDS; DIN EN 22719 / ISO 2719)
Vapor pressure: Below 0.1 hPa at 20 °C (2019 U.S. SDS)
Thermal decomposition: Above 300 °C according to the 2019 U.S. SDS; not an operating recommendation
Shelf life: At least two years in original tightly sealed packaging under the manufacturer's stated proper-storage conditions (November 2023 family technical bulletin)

These values represent a particular publication and specified analytical conditions, not guaranteed values for every supply lot. A technical data sheet presents typical behavior; an SDS addresses hazards and safe handling; a certificate of analysis documents the particular batch against agreed tests. In particular, the 2019 SDS reports approximately 1.02 g/cm3 at 20 °C, rather than the 2023 family bulletin's approximately 1.01 g/cm3 at 23 °C. The difference should be preserved as a documentation and temperature distinction, not silently averaged into a new specification.

CLOUD POINT AND TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT HYDRATION

The cloud point is the temperature at which a surfactant solution becomes visibly cloudy under a prescribed test protocol. Clouding reflects a change in the balance among water hydration, surfactant-rich associations and the surrounding medium. It does not establish immediate chemical decomposition, and it should not be confused with a flash point, freezing point or boiling point.

Plurafac LF 901 has an approximately 38 °C cloud point under EN 1890 Method A, which uses 1 g surfactant with 100 g distilled water. Under Method B, the same surfactant mass is combined with 100 g sodium chloride solution at 50 g/L, giving approximately 30 °C. The shift demonstrates why salts can alter the clouding behavior of a nonionic system. It would be incorrect to quote the 30 °C result without mentioning the salt test medium.

Method D employs 5 g surfactant and 45 g of a specified butyldiglycol solution at 250 g/L and gives approximately 53 °C. Method E uses 5 g surfactant with 25 g of that solution and gives approximately 48 °C. The two readings cannot be interpreted as pure-water cloud points or directly compared with Method A without acknowledging the very different solvent compositions.

A process that operates near a surfactant's clouding region may change in clarity or phase distribution during heating and cooling. A cloudy cleaning bath is not automatically ineffective, but the phase change can influence transport, filtration, residue and reproducibility. Testing should cover the actual bath composition, cleaning temperature and full thermal cycle, rather than using the published cloud point as an unconditional operating limit.

WETTING, SURFACE TENSION AND PRACTICAL CLEANING PERFORMANCE

The representative surface-tension result for Plurafac LF 901 is approximately 29 mN/m at 1 g/L in distilled water and 23 °C by EN 14370. The test includes the specified Harkins-Jordan correction and is not a claim that any finished detergent containing the product will exhibit precisely that surface tension. Builders, solvents, oils, salts and additional surfactants can modify the result.

Wetting times are especially informative when interpreted with their test conditions. At 23 °C, an EN 1772 solution containing distilled water, 2 g/L soda ash and 0.5 g/L of Plurafac LF 901 has a representative wetting time of approximately 80 seconds. Increasing the surfactant concentration to 1 g/L gives approximately 30 seconds, and 2 g/L gives approximately 10 seconds in the same method. These values demonstrate a concentration-sensitive response rather than a universal process dosage.

At 70 °C, the corresponding representative results differ: more than 300 seconds at 0.5 g/L, around 150 seconds at 1 g/L and around 80 seconds at 2 g/L. The higher-temperature test results are not contradictory to the product's low-foam positioning. They show that wetting is a separate performance characteristic and may be affected by polyether hydration and phase behavior under heated conditions.

A detergent formulator should therefore distinguish equilibrium surface tension from dynamic wetting and actual soil removal. A low surface-tension number is useful but cannot predict every cleaning outcome. Contact angle measurements, timed wetting, standardized soil removal, rinsing residue and foam tests under plant-relevant conditions provide a much more reliable picture of suitability.

WHAT DOES LOW FOAM MEAN FOR PLURAFAC LF 901?

Under the manufacturer's EN 12728 procedure, LF 901 produced a representative foam volume of 20 mL. This is a useful comparative metric within that standardized framework and supports the low-foaming description. It is not a claim that the product generates zero foam or that 20 mL will be observed in every pump, tank, concentration or detergent composition.

Mechanical cleaning systems can generate foam from impeller mixing, spray impact, air entrainment and the presence of soil. Excess foam can interfere with pumps, level sensing, spray pressure, thermal transfer and separation equipment. A low-foaming surfactant can reduce one source of this operational burden while still providing interfacial cleaning activity.

Low foaming is also different from defoaming. A defoamer is selected specifically to rupture or suppress foam already generated in a formulation or process. Plurafac LF 901 is chiefly a nonionic detergent surfactant with a low-foam profile; it should not automatically be positioned as a complete replacement for a specialized foam-control additive.

The foam response of finished formulations can change sharply with anionic co-surfactants, antifoams, salts, temperature, soil, shear and water hardness. Where foam is critical to equipment reliability, verify both initial and persistent foam under a realistic mechanical test and through the full service cycle.

HOW DOES PLURAFAC LF 901 WORK AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL?

The hydrocarbon-rich part of a Plurafac LF 901 molecule can associate with oily residues and hydrophobic surfaces, while the polyether-rich part remains comparatively compatible with the surrounding aqueous phase. Adsorption at interfaces reduces the energy cost of wetting and helps detergency chemistry contact contaminants that plain water does not easily penetrate.

When the system is properly formulated, amphiphilic molecules contribute to lifting, emulsifying or dispersing some oily soils into the wash liquor. The precise balance among those pathways depends on oil type, alkalinity, temperature, surface properties, surfactant level and mechanical action. The surfactant does not chemically dissolve every contaminant and cannot replace every cleaning agent or process aid.

At the air-water interface, the organization and hydration of the nonionic layer affect foam-film stability. Its low-foam design allows the ingredient to provide interfacial functionality without necessarily generating the persistent tall foam associated with some high-foaming detergents. The result remains system-dependent because a mixed surfactant film can behave differently from the neat surfactant.

Nonionic polyethers also interact with the electrolyte environment in a way that can modify cloud point, phase separation and micellar organization. Those effects explain why LF 901 can be clear in the manufacturer's 10% water screening yet become incompatible with a 5% caustic solution in the same test. The key lesson for formulation is that 'nonionic' does not equal 'universally soluble.'

WHICH INDUSTRIES USE PLURAFAC LF 901?

The manufacturer's industrial and institutional product guides position alcohol alkoxylates of this family in cleaning applications that require low foam and effective wetting. Relevant formulation sectors include industrial surface cleaning, food-service and kitchen hygiene, automatic dishwashing, food and beverage processing cleaning systems, and transportation care. These are sectors in which formulators may evaluate the grade; they are not blanket approvals for every process, substrate or regulatory setting.

Plurafac LF 901 may be considered where detergent ingredients must perform within equipment using sprays, pump circulation or mechanical agitation. It can be paired with correctly chosen builders, alkalinity sources, hydrotropes, chelants and other surfactants, subject to compatibility testing. Concentrate behavior should be evaluated separately from the diluted cleaning bath.

The product may also be assessed for general industrial wetting and emulsification when the low-foam profile offers a practical benefit. Such broader process uses should be described as formulation-development possibilities rather than product-specific certified claims unless supported by a documented application trial.

PLURAFAC LF 901 IN AUTOMATIC DISHWASHING DETERGENTS

Automatic dishwashing depends on mechanical spraying and recirculation, so excessive foam can interrupt pressure, pumping and wash effectiveness. A low-foaming nonionic surfactant such as LF 901 may assist removal of food-related organic soils and improve wetting while helping designers maintain an acceptable foam profile in the circulating solution.

Effective dishwasher detergents usually require a coordinated system of alkalinity, water-hardness management, soil dispersal and rinsing control. LF 901 does not supply all those functions. In particular, enzymes, bleaches, corrosion inhibitors and antiscalants may be necessary in certain designs and require separate stability studies.

The manufacturer's 10% solubility screening shows clear water solubility at 23 °C, but the same bulletin reports no clear solution in 5% caustic soda. That does not prove incompatibility in every alkaline dishwasher formula; it signals that clarity and phase stability cannot be assumed in highly alkaline concentrates. Real mixtures should be evaluated at their intended caustic level, electrolyte load and storage temperature.

Formulation suitability also depends on glass and metal corrosion, spotting, drying and residues after rinsing. LF 901 should be tested in both wash and rinse phases where relevant, and any claims of superior machine performance should depend on a properly controlled side-by-side comparison.

FOOD-SERVICE, KITCHEN HYGIENE AND HARD-SURFACE CLEANING

Food-service cleaning must manage oils, cooking residues, proteins and particulate soil on surfaces and equipment. Nonionic wetting ingredients can support contact with greasy films and aid soil removal when combined with suitable builders and mechanical action. Plurafac LF 901's published low-foam behavior may be attractive for cleaners applied by powered equipment or removed through pumped circuits.

Food-contact surface cleaning is distinct from direct addition to food. Whether a formulated cleaner may be used in a particular regulated environment depends on the total formulation, contact scenario, labeling, rinsing protocol and local legislation. The existence of a surfactant product guide does not establish food-contact authorization for every possible grade or formulation.

Surface compatibility is also important. Aluminum, stainless steel, painted surfaces and elastomeric seals may respond differently to a strongly alkaline cleaning system, even if the surfactant itself is not the principal corrosive ingredient. Representative cleaning performance should therefore be assessed together with corrosion and material-compatibility testing.

CLEAN-IN-PLACE AND RECIRCULATING INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS

Clean-in-place, or CIP, systems circulate cleaning media through fixed lines, tanks and processing equipment. The operating focus is usually reliable flow, predictable contact, controlled rinsing and safe removal of process residues. A low-foaming wetting ingredient may contribute to the cleaner design, but its performance cannot be separated from temperature, flow regime, chemical concentration and the type of deposited soil.

For LF 901, the documented wetting data show substantial changes between 23 °C and 70 °C, and its clouding characteristics vary with the surrounding solution. These observations make representative elevated-temperature testing especially important for any proposed CIP use. A statement that the grade is 'heat stable' would be insufficient without checking actual wetting, phase separation and cleaning under process conditions.

The manufacturer reports clear screening solubility in 5% hydrochloric acid and a lack of clear solubility in 5% caustic soda. These are observations at a particular 10% surfactant level and 23 °C, not safety instructions for mixing concentrated chemicals. Acidic and alkaline formulation development must use appropriate equipment, engineering controls and SDS-based compatibility review.

Where wastewater discharge is regulated, the final spent cleaner must be evaluated as a whole. The presence of an ingredient described as readily biodegradable does not remove the need to control pH, oil loading, dissolved metals and other effluent contaminants.

BOTTLE WASHING AND PACKAGING-LINE CLEANERS

Industrial bottle and container washing often combines jets, immersion, alkali, heat and circulating pumps. Any foam produced by the soil-detergent mixture can affect spray coverage and bath stability. LF 901 may be considered as part of the low-foam surfactant package when the formulation is tuned to the actual equipment and returned-soil load.

Packaging materials vary widely. Glass, coated metals, polymers and adhesive-labeled containers impose different requirements on wetting, residue removal and material compatibility. An ingredient that works well in one alkaline bath may not provide the same benefits in a different wash stage or when the concentration of caustic and dissolved salts changes.

Because the product's pure-water and caustic-screening results differ, bottle-washing concentrate clarity should be measured under actual conditions. The screening does not establish that the ingredient will precipitate in every production bath, but it provides a defensible reason to check phase stability rather than assuming it.

COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY AND TEXTILE PROCESSING CLEANERS

Commercial laundry systems operate with moving fabrics, circulating liquor and varying loads of oil, particulate material and detergent. Low-foam nonionic surfactants can be useful when excessive lather reduces mechanical efficiency or complicates rinsing. LF 901 can be considered in appropriately developed laundry chemistry, with the qualification that the manufacturer did not publish a validated universal laundry dose for this grade.

A finished laundry product must be judged by soil removal, fabric compatibility, redeposition, color performance, machine foam, rinsability and stability. A single surfactant cannot provide bleaching or sequestering capacity by itself. Co-surfactant selection, water hardness and wash temperature affect the optimal balance among these attributes.

The manufacturer documents slower standardized wetting at 70 °C than at 23 °C for LF 901 at matched concentrations. This demonstrates why performance at elevated wash temperatures requires direct testing rather than simply extrapolating from room-temperature wetting results.

VEHICLE CARE AND INDUSTRIAL HARD-SURFACE WASHING

Transport-maintenance and hard-surface cleaning may include removal of grease, traffic film and oily residues from painted, polymeric or metallic surfaces. A low-foam nonionic surfactant can be evaluated where recirculated or mechanically sprayed solutions are used and persistent foam is undesirable. Cleaning power and compatibility must be proven for each formulated system.

Substrate protection is especially important in automotive and industrial applications. Strong builders, solvents and pH modifiers can have a greater effect on paint, aluminum or coatings than the nonionic surfactant alone. Therefore, general surfactant suitability cannot be treated as a blanket material-compatibility claim for the final cleaner.

Rinsing behavior, water spotting, residue and surface appearance should be included in development tests. A low-foam component may support operational stability but does not necessarily produce a streak-free or residue-free result without proper formulation.

INDUSTRIAL WETTING AND DISPERSION SUPPORT

In industrial liquid processing, wetting agents help a liquid spread over solids or displace trapped air at a surface. LF 901 has a documented surface-tension response and standardized wetting times at defined concentrations, making it a candidate for investigation where wetting and low foam are both valuable.

However, the manufacturer tests do not prove compatibility with every pigment slurry, mineral suspension, emulsion polymer, metalworking fluid or coating system. The surfactant can change dispersion behavior by adsorbing at interfaces, but whether this is beneficial or harmful depends on solids chemistry, ionic additives and stabilizer package. Such uses require specific laboratory validation.

When another chemical product already contains a surfactant package, replacing only one component may alter viscosity, foam, emulsion stability or clouding. The correct evaluation compares the completed process system, not just generic descriptions such as 'wetting agent' or 'emulsifier.'

AQUEOUS SOLUBILITY, HYDROTROPES AND CONCENTRATE CLARITY

The manufacturer's 10% qualitative solubility screen at 23 °C describes LF 901 as clear soluble in distilled water, potable water, 5% sodium chloride solution and 5% hydrochloric acid solution. This is a useful distinction from several other low-foaming LF grades that are not clear under the same water screen. It supports consideration of LF 901 in clear aqueous products, while stopping short of proving unlimited water miscibility.

The same screening reports no clear solubility in 5% sodium hydroxide solution. The result should be understood as a specific physical-compatibility observation, not an instruction that surfactant and caustic can never coexist. Dilution, alternative electrolyte content, solvent choice, temperature and order of mixing can all change the appearance of a finished cleaner.

Ethanol and isopropanol give clear solutions in the same screening test, while mineral spirit and spindle oil are described as opalescent. This difference reflects an intermediate affinity balance rather than extreme water solubility or extreme oil solubility. Do not assign the product a numerical HLB or solvent partition coefficient without measured data.

Hydrotropes and solubilizers may improve concentrate appearance where necessary, but selection should be governed by the full mixture's cloud point, flash point, material compatibility, foaming and environmental profile. The presence of a clear solution at room temperature does not establish stability after cold storage, heating, freeze-thaw exposure or dilution into a hot electrolyte-rich bath.

WATER ADDITION AND NONLINEAR VISCOSITY RESPONSE

The November 2023 family bulletin measured viscosities of LF 901-water mixtures using Brookfield LVT at 23 °C. For 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90% added water, the representative values were approximately 130, 155, 145, 130, 105, 85, 60, 30, 20 and less than 20 mPa·s, respectively. These are data for surfactant-water mixtures, not predictions for a full formulation containing salts or other ingredients.

Unlike some other family grades, LF 901 does not exhibit an extreme viscosity peak in this published dilution series. Nonetheless, the small increase at 10% water addition and later decrease mean viscosity does not vary in a simple straight line with water content. Processing equipment and mixing energy should be matched to actual intermediate concentrations.

The technical bulletin advises adding the surfactant into water while mixing when preparing aqueous solutions, because some other addition sequences can produce high-viscosity intermediates. This guidance should be implemented within an appropriately engineered process, not used to improvise incompatible chemical additions. For any detergent containing reactive or strongly alkaline ingredients, the complete mixing procedure should be established by formulation and safety specialists.

In particular, a low viscosity in the product drum does not guarantee an equally pumpable intermediate or final concentrate. Evaluate viscosity after complete equilibration and at the lowest realistic handling temperature, noting the measurement method and shear conditions.

ACIDS, ALKALIS, SALTS AND COMPATIBILITY LIMITS

LF 901's positive solubility result in a 5% hydrochloric acid screen does not demonstrate universal chemical stability across all acids, all temperatures or all residence times. Conversely, the negative clarity result in a 5% sodium hydroxide screen does not prove instant degradation under all alkaline processing conditions. Solubility, visual clarity, long-term stability and personnel safety are separate considerations.

The product is nonionic, which can simplify combination with some other surfactant types, but that does not make it immune to electrolytes. In the EN 1890 cloud-point tests, adding sodium chloride changes the measured cloud point from approximately 38 °C in the distilled-water method to approximately 30 °C in the specified salt medium. The result is a direct demonstration of composition-dependent phase behavior.

A formulator should screen phase appearance, active content stability, pH changes, viscosity, clouding and foam throughout the expected shelf life and dilution process. Compatibility should also consider caustic or acid corrosion of containers, seals and dosing equipment. Chemical mixing must always follow SDS instructions and documented plant procedures.

WHAT PROBLEMS CAN PLURAFAC LF 901 HELP ADDRESS?

Plurafac LF 901 can be investigated when a detergent requires better contact with oily or difficult-to-wet soils while avoiding excessive mechanical foam. It may also be attractive when a low-foam grade with documented clear-water solubility is preferred over a more hydrophobic product that needs additional solubilization. Such assessments should use the grade's actual published performance data rather than an assumption that one LF grade is superior in every application.

The product can help designers adjust the balance between interfacial activity and foaming in a cleaner. It will not inherently resolve limescale, corrosion, disinfection, strongly oxidized soil, metal-ion contamination or difficult particulate redeposition without appropriate companion chemistry. Each problem has different controlling variables and testing methods.

Some equipment problems blamed on foam originate partly from pump design, air entrainment or soil loading rather than surfactant selection. Therefore, process engineers should investigate operating conditions and compare complete formulations under realistic circulation before attributing improvements to a single ingredient.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING PLURAFAC LF 901

Technical selection must account for concentration, temperature, cloud point, wetting response, electrolyte concentration, intended cleaning substrate and expected soils. The product's relatively clear water-solubility screen does not eliminate formulation risk, especially in highly alkaline or heavily salted concentrates. The 70 °C wetting figures also caution against assuming that elevated temperature necessarily improves every facet of surfactant performance.

Safety classification must be based on the current regional SDS. A March 2019 U.S. SDS classifies the product as an eye irritant and describes harmful effects to aquatic life under that document's regulatory framework. A later May 2024 Mexico SDS publicly reports more severe eye effects and an ingestion hazard. These are document- and jurisdiction-specific classifications; they should not be combined into one universal current label without reviewing the version applicable to the material being supplied.

Purchasing and production teams should separate the commercial grade name from the identity of the final diluted detergent. Hazards, transport classification and regulatory obligations can change when formulation constituents and concentrations change. Final-product compliance and labeling need their own assessment.

STARTING FORMULATION AND LABORATORY EVALUATION APPROACH

A responsible formulation study begins with identifying the exact cleaning challenge: substrate, soil chemistry, process temperature, mechanical shear, water hardness, target pH and acceptable foam. LF 901 should then be compared with a control formulation at meaningful and documented active-matter levels. Published wetting concentrations provide standardized performance context, not a validated universal inclusion percentage in detergent concentrates.

Initial evaluations can compare clarity and phase stability under the planned salt or alkalinity loading, viscosity across the intended storage range, dynamic and persistent foam, wetting, soil removal and rinsing residues. Test both concentrated products and realistic use dilutions. The two stages can behave very differently and may fail for different reasons.

If hydrotropes, solvents or extra nonionic surfactants are needed, each addition changes the formula's overall performance and safety profile. The purpose of laboratory screening is to generate evidence that a given combination works for a defined task, rather than to claim that the surfactant alone determines all cleaning outcomes.

No unverified percentages, mixing temperatures, addition times or industrial formula recipes are proposed here. Processing conditions should follow confirmed technical instructions and an applicable risk assessment, particularly in systems using strong alkalis, acids or heated equipment.

SIMILAR LOW-FOAM NONIONIC SURFACTANTS AND ALTERNATIVES

Alternative materials include other alcohol alkoxylates, modified or end-capped nonionics, ethylene-oxide/propylene-oxide copolymer surfactants and selected hydrotrope-containing blends. They can differ strongly in cloud point, water compatibility, viscosity, wettability, foam persistence and alkaline tolerance. Being classified as a 'low-foam surfactant' does not make two grades drop-in equivalents.

Within the LF family, LF 900 and LF 901 are related but have materially different published data. In the November 2023 EN 12728 comparison, LF 900 gives approximately 5 mL foam and LF 901 approximately 20 mL. LF 900 has no listed EN 1890 Method A cloud point in the document, whereas LF 901 has approximately 38 °C. LF 901 also has a higher representative viscosity at 23 °C, around 130 mPa·s versus around 85 mPa·s for LF 900. The correct choice depends on all performance requirements, not one number.

LF 1300 is another example of a materially different grade: the same family document reports it as not clear soluble in 10% distilled-water screening at 23 °C, unlike LF 901. Such distinctions can matter greatly for clear liquid detergent design. A nominal replacement should therefore be tested for appearance, storage stability, cleaning efficacy, foam and equipment compatibility before approval.

Generic high-foaming alcohol ethoxylates and anionic surfactants may supply excellent cleaning in some applications but create operational foam problems in high-shear equipment. Conversely, a highly hydrophobic low-foam grade may be difficult to build into a water-clear product. Replacement selection is a multi-parameter design exercise.

INITIAL FORMULATION APPROACHES FOR PLURAFAC LF 901

The following examples show how PLURAFAC LF 901 can be evaluated during formulation research and cleaning-process development. According to the manufacturer's product information, PLURAFAC LF 901 is an approximately 100% active, low-foaming nonionic surfactant in the fatty alcohol alkoxylate class. PLURAFAC LF 901 offers wetting and foam-control functionality for applications in which excess foam can interfere with washing, circulation or rinsing.

The examples below are preliminary laboratory screening concepts, not validated commercial formulations, manufacturing instructions or finished products approved under specific regulations. All percentages are by weight (% w/w) unless otherwise stated. Raw-material purity, water hardness, temperature, mixing method, surfactant interactions and actual soil loading can affect PLURAFAC LF 901 performance. Consult the latest supplier technical data sheet and safety data sheet before any experiment.

The phase behavior and cloud point of nonionic surfactants can change with temperature, salts, solvents and other ingredients. Therefore, PLURAFAC LF 901 must be screened for haze, phase separation, foam, viscosity and storage stability under the intended conditions. Each trial set changes the concentration of PLURAFAC LF 901 while keeping other formulation components and operating variables constant.

EXAMPLE 1: PLURAFAC LF 901 LEVEL SCREENING IN A LOW-FOAM AUTOMATIC DISHWASHING DETERGENT

Objective: Evaluate the influence of PLURAFAC LF 901 concentration on grease removal, wetting, foam behavior, rinsing and visible film formation in an alkaline automatic dishwashing main-wash liquid.

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

PLURAFAC LF 901: approximately 0.30%, 0.70% and 1.20% in separate trials.

Sodium carbonate: approximately 4.00%, held constant.

Trisodium citrate dihydrate: approximately 3.00%, held constant.

Sodium gluconate: approximately 0.40%, held constant.

Sodium xylene sulfonate solution or another compatible hydrotrope: approximately 1.50% as supplied, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Wash temperature, detergent dosage, machine cycle, water hardness and standardized food-soil loading: held constant.

These figures are starting levels for comparison, not a commercial dosing recommendation. The appropriate hydrotrope level, PLURAFAC LF 901 phase stability and effectiveness in the complete alkaline system must be determined experimentally.

Application approach:

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

2. Dissolve trisodium citrate, sodium gluconate and sodium carbonate in a controlled sequence until uniformly dispersed.

3. Add the hydrotrope and mix until the batch is uniform.

4. Slowly incorporate the selected PLURAFAC LF 901 concentration without excessive air entrainment; complete with water to 100%.

5. Record pH, appearance, viscosity, initial foam and possible haze at relevant operating and storage temperatures.

6. Run identical automatic dishwashing cycles on standardized dishes bearing greasy, proteinaceous and starchy soils, keeping the detergent dose constant.

7. Compare soil removal, dynamic foam, spray-arm operation, water sheeting, spotting, filming and final rinse performance.

8. Identify the PLURAFAC LF 901 concentration with the best cleaning and low-foam balance, then repeat testing under hard-water and varied soil-load conditions.

Alkaline detergents can cause skin and eye injury. Use appropriate protective equipment, avoid aerosols and confirm compatibility with dishwasher components. Before commercialization, assess labeling, consumer or professional-use requirements and the rules applicable to cleaning surfaces that contact food.

EXAMPLE 2: PLURAFAC LF 901 SCREENING IN A MILDLY ALKALINE FOOD-PROCESSING CIP CLEANER

Objective: Examine PLURAFAC LF 901 as a low-foaming wetting aid in a recirculating, mildly alkaline cleaning-in-place (CIP) solution for compatible food and beverage processing equipment.

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

PLURAFAC LF 901: approximately 0.10%, 0.30% and 0.60% in separate trials.

Sodium carbonate: approximately 0.75%, held constant.

Sodium bicarbonate: approximately 0.25%, held constant.

Trisodium citrate dihydrate: approximately 0.30%, held constant.

Sodium xylene sulfonate solution or a compatible hydrotrope: approximately 0.75% as supplied, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Initial circulation temperature: approximately 25–45 °C, fixed within each comparison.

Circulation flow rate, contact time, equipment material, soil type and rinse volume: held constant.

These percentages describe preliminary working solutions, not a validated cleaning regime for a production line. PLURAFAC LF 901 performance can vary near the surfactant's clouding range, so the actual formulation must be examined across all selected temperatures. Mildly alkaline cleaning does not necessarily replace the stronger alkaline or acidic stages required for particular deposits.

Application approach:

1. Fill a clean laboratory circulation vessel with most of the demineralized water under controlled agitation.

2. Dissolve the sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and trisodium citrate, checking that no undissolved solids remain.

3. Add the hydrotrope, followed by PLURAFAC LF 901 at the selected screening level.

4. Mix gently to uniformity and add demineralized water to reach 100% of each test solution.

5. Determine pH, appearance, temperature-dependent turbidity, stability and dynamic foam under a fixed circulation condition.

6. Circulate each PLURAFAC LF 901 solution through compatible laboratory pipework or across standardized stainless-steel coupons bearing a controlled food-processing soil.

7. Measure or score cleaning effectiveness, wetting coverage, foam volume, pump behavior, rinse duration and residual cleaner.

8. Repeat the most promising PLURAFAC LF 901 level with a second controlled soil loading to assess robustness before any process-scale evaluation.

Cleaning-in-place tests require appropriate containment, ventilation and eye and hand protection. Verify chemical and seal compatibility, microbiological hygiene requirements, final rinsing and wastewater discharge conditions. A cleaner containing PLURAFAC LF 901 is not automatically a sanitizer or disinfectant; such claims require separate efficacy evidence and regulatory authorization.

EXAMPLE 3: PLURAFAC LF 901 RATIO EVALUATION IN A LOW-FOAM VEHICLE-FLEET PREWASH CLEANER

Objective: Investigate whether PLURAFAC LF 901 can provide efficient wetting and traffic-film removal with controlled foam in a mildly alkaline prewash intended for compatible commercial vehicle exterior surfaces.

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

PLURAFAC LF 901: approximately 0.35%, 0.70% and 1.10% in separate trials.

Sodium carbonate: approximately 0.50%, held constant.

Sodium bicarbonate: approximately 0.30%, held constant.

Trisodium citrate dihydrate: approximately 0.50%, held constant.

GLDA-based aqueous chelating agent: approximately 0.20% as supplied, held constant.

Sodium xylene sulfonate solution or a compatible hydrotrope: approximately 0.80% as supplied, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Application concentration, dwell time, water pressure, temperature, panel material and soil loading: held constant.

These compositions are only preliminary screening mixtures. PLURAFAC LF 901 compatibility with painted surfaces, clear coats, protective waxes, plastics, aluminum and rubber must be verified individually; a mildly alkaline cleaner should not be presumed safe for every vehicle finish.

Application approach:

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

2. Dissolve sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate completely under moderate mixing.

3. Add the GLDA-based chelant and selected hydrotrope, mixing until uniform.

4. Incorporate the required PLURAFAC LF 901 amount slowly and top up with water to 100%.

5. Measure pH, clarity, foam generation, viscosity and storage stability, including checks at the intended use temperature.

6. Apply equal amounts to standardized compatible vehicle-panel samples coated with a controlled road-film or oily particulate soil.

7. Compare wetting and spreading, cleaning after a fixed dwell time, foam persistence, rinsing, streaks, residue and any surface or coating changes.

8. Select the PLURAFAC LF 901 level giving the best combination of traffic-film removal and manageable foam, then verify performance on additional representative materials.

Avoid allowing alkaline cleaners to dry on a surface, and test them on a small inconspicuous area before wider use. Use suitable eye and hand protection, control spray mist and verify the safety data sheets, environmental discharge rules and local detergent requirements before commercial application.

QUALITY CONTROL AND PURCHASING CRITERIA

A robust procurement specification should identify Plurafac LF 901 by complete grade name, manufacturer product reference 30273371 and applicable commercial identifier. The current product CAS, regional SDS and agreed supply specification should be cross-checked rather than relying on a short commodity description such as 'nonionic surfactant.' Procurement teams should also establish required packaging, intended market, lead time and documentary needs.

Quality-control parameters may include appearance and color, viscosity at a defined temperature, density, cloud point by a named EN 1890 method, pH under EN 1262 solution B and any agreed assay or water-content limits. The manufacturer's family bulletin provides representative values but explicitly notes that these do not necessarily form part of the product specification. Only formally agreed limits should be treated as acceptance criteria.

The TDS is a technical reference for average behavior; the SDS communicates hazards, controls and transport details; and the COA connects test results to a particular batch. A recent document version matters because safety classification and formulations may evolve. The purchasing process should require traceability and review any unexplained discrepancy between delivered labeling and the applicable SDS.

Where intended use involves regulated cleaning, wastewater or sensitive food-processing environments, request any application-specific declarations directly and review them with a qualified regulatory specialist. The existence of a CAS number or a surfactant biodegradability statement is not evidence of universal regulatory authorization.

REGULATORY, BIODEGRADABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

A March 2019 U.S. SDS states that the surfactant satisfies the biodegradability criteria referenced in Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents. That document describes it as readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria and reports greater than 60% carbon-dioxide evolution relative to theory within 28 days in the specified assessment. These are statements from a dated product document, not an independent certification that every formulated product or wastewater stream is harmless.

The same historic SDS describes harmful effects to aquatic life and advises avoidance of environmental release. A later 2024 regional SDS also identifies aquatic hazard language. These warnings remain relevant despite ready biodegradability: a material can be biodegradable while still adversely affecting aquatic organisms at sufficiently high concentrations.

Neither a detergent biodegradability finding nor inclusion in an industrial ingredient guide authorizes unrestricted discharge to drains, soil or watercourses. The final formulation and spent wash liquor may contain oil, metals, builders, solvents and other contaminants that control wastewater treatment requirements.

Some regional ingredient guides identify the product in categories related to food and non-food pesticide inert ingredients. Such a listing, where applicable, is jurisdiction- and use-specific; it is not a claim of unrestricted pesticide registration, direct food-additive approval or food-contact clearance for finished cleaning compositions.

FIRST AID

Inhalation
For Plurafac LF 901 mist, spray or aerosol exposure, move the affected person to fresh air and keep them at rest. Obtain medical attention if exposure is significant, if symptoms persist or if breathing is impaired. Do not allow an exposed person to re-enter a contaminated area without appropriate protection.

Skin Contact
For Plurafac LF 901 skin exposure, promptly remove contaminated clothing and wash affected skin thoroughly with water and soap. Seek medical advice if redness, discomfort or other irritation develops or persists. Launder contaminated work clothing before reuse.

Eye Contact
For Plurafac LF 901 eye exposure, immediately begin gentle flushing with clean running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping the eyelids open; remove contact lenses if present and easily removable. Obtain prompt medical assessment, particularly because regional safety data sheets differ on whether the applicable classification is serious eye irritation or serious eye damage. Do not delay rinsing to locate an SDS.

Ingestion
If Plurafac LF 901 is swallowed, rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting and seek prompt advice from a poison center or medical professional. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. A 2019 regional SDS describes a small volume of water after rinsing for an alert person, but specific advice should follow the current regional SDS and medical guidance rather than an improvised dose.

Note to Physicians
Treatment following Plurafac LF 901 exposure should be symptomatic and supportive, based on the patient's condition and the current regional SDS. Because the product is a commercial alcohol-alkoxylate distribution, provide the actual container label and the latest SDS to the treating clinician rather than relying on a generic surfactant category.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling
Handle Plurafac LF 901 as an industrial chemical rather than as a finished household detergent. Prevent unnecessary skin and eye contact, splashes and inhalation of generated mist; do not eat, drink or smoke in handling areas. Review the local SDS before transferring bulk quantities.

Engineering Controls
Use appropriate closed transfer and local control measures for Plurafac LF 901 where splashing or aerosol formation is possible. Ensure pumps, seals and hoses are compatible with the surfactant and all other ingredients in the process stream. Provide accessible eyewash equipment where chemical exposure is foreseeable.

Personal Protection
Use chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing and chemical splash goggles when working with Plurafac LF 901. A face shield may be appropriate for splash-prone tasks, particularly in light of the more severe eye classification in a later regional SDS. Select material and protection level using the actual workplace exposure assessment.

Respiratory Protection
Routine transfer of Plurafac LF 901 liquid may not create significant inhalation exposure, but spraying, aerosols and poor ventilation can increase risk. Respiratory protection should be selected by trained safety personnel where engineering controls do not adequately control airborne exposure.

Storage
Store Plurafac LF 901 indoors in its original tightly sealed packaging, protected from unnecessary overheating and moisture contamination. The November 2023 family guidance advises avoiding temperatures substantially below 20 °C for routine handling, while noting that reversible cloudiness may arise during cold storage. Material that has cooled or become cloudy should be evaluated against the manufacturer's recommended reconditioning guidance rather than judged automatically unusable.

Controlled Warming
When Plurafac LF 901 has become cloudy or has developed reversible deposits, the family document discusses gentle warming in the general range of 40-50 °C, using equipment designed to prevent local hot spots. The document advises against exceeding roughly 50-60 °C in drums being reconditioned and gives additional controls for heated bulk tanks. These storage recovery directions are not a replacement for an engineering procedure or permission to heat sealed containers unsafely.

Material Compatibility
The November 2023 family information identifies selected stainless-steel grades for storage tanks and drums. For Plurafac LF 901 in actual formulations, container and seal compatibility must be checked against the complete chemical system, especially if strongly acidic, alkaline or solvent-rich constituents are present.

Spill Procedures
Contain Plurafac LF 901 spills where safe, prevent entry into waterways and absorb the liquid with suitable nonreactive materials according to the current SDS. Spilled surfactant can create slippery walking surfaces. Prevent uncontrolled washdown and arrange disposal through authorized waste procedures.

Environmental Precautions
Avoid uncontrolled release of Plurafac LF 901 to soil, surface water and drains. Although documented as readily biodegradable in an older SDS, the product also carries aquatic-hazard statements in regional documentation. Waste management should follow local law and the composition of the complete waste stream.

Fire Response
Plurafac LF 901 is not classified as a readily flammable liquid in the reviewed 2019 U.S. SDS, which reports a flash point near 200 °C. Nevertheless, high-temperature exposure and fires involving packaging or other chemicals require conventional industrial fire precautions. Fire response personnel should use the extinguishing media and protective equipment specified by the current SDS and site emergency plan.

Waste Disposal
Dispose of unused Plurafac LF 901, absorbents and contaminated packaging in compliance with local rules. Do not infer that ready biodegradability permits direct sewer disposal or open release. Determine the waste classification using the complete waste composition and local legal requirements.

SAFETY AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION

The older March 2019 U.S. safety data sheet classified Plurafac LF 901 as causing serious eye irritation (H319) and harmful to aquatic life (H402), and described its signal word as Warning. A later May 2024 Mexico regional SDS lists harmful if swallowed (H302), serious eye damage (H318) and harmful to aquatic life (H402), with the more stringent signal word Danger. These are different published regional documents and versions. The current SDS applicable to the supplied lot and destination market must govern hazard communication and required protective measures.

Under the 2019 U.S. SDS, land transport under USDOT, sea transport under IMDG and air transport under IATA/ICAO are described as not classified as dangerous goods. Consequently, that dated document does not provide a UN number, transport hazard class or packing group for the product. This must not be treated as a permanent global transport guarantee: a current shipment assessment is necessary for its exact market, packing and formulation.

The 2019 document lists a flash point of approximately 200 °C and boiling point greater than 250 °C, along with low vapor pressure at ambient temperature. These values help characterize handling but do not justify treating heated processing, fine aerosols or contaminated mixtures as hazard-free. A surfactant formula containing a flammable solvent may have a markedly different fire classification.

An older SDS reports readily biodegradable behavior but also ecotoxicity that warrants avoiding releases. Classification as not regulated for transportation is distinct from being nonhazardous for occupational exposure or unrestricted wastewater discharge. Employers should maintain the updated regional SDS and validate PPE, storage and emergency measures before use.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PLURAFAC LF 901

What is Plurafac LF 901?
It is a commercial liquid, low-foaming nonionic fatty alcohol alkoxylate intended for formulation into detergents and industrial cleaning products.

What is the CAS number of Plurafac LF 901?
The current commercial product finder identifies CAS 166736-08-9; buyers should match this to the regional SDS for their specific supply.

What is the product reference for Plurafac LF 901?
The manufacturer lists commercial product reference 30273371, which is an order and document identifier rather than an EC number.

Is Plurafac LF 901 a single pure chemical?
No. It is commercially described as a fatty alcohol alkoxylate distribution, so one exact molecular formula and molecular weight are not appropriate.

Does Plurafac LF 901 have an established EC number?
An exact EC/EINECS number for the complete commercial grade was not reliably verified from the reviewed primary documentation.

Is Plurafac LF 901 an anionic surfactant?
No. It is nonionic, which means its surfactant character does not depend on a permanently charged anionic head group.

Is Plurafac LF 901 supplied as a liquid?
Yes. The manufacturer documents a liquid physical form at 23 °C.

What color is Plurafac LF 901?
The published family and historical safety descriptions indicate a colorless to yellowish liquid that may be clear or slightly cloudy.

How much active substance does Plurafac LF 901 contain?
Approximately 100% is reported in manufacturer material; this is a representative commercial concentration, not a guarantee of exactly 100.00% assay.

What is the density of Plurafac LF 901?
Approximately 1.01 g/cm3 at 23 °C under DIN 51757 is the representative November 2023 technical value.

What is the viscosity at 23 °C?
Approximately 130 mPa·s dynamic viscosity under EN 12092 using Brookfield LVT is reported in the 2023 manufacturer bulletin.

What is the viscosity at 10 °C?
Approximately 300 mPa·s by the same method, demonstrating that the neat liquid thickens as temperature falls.

What is the viscosity at 0 °C?
Approximately 600 mPa·s in the representative 2023 data, although practical handling must also consider phase appearance and the actual batch.

What is the setting point of Plurafac LF 901?
Approximately -15 °C by DIN 51583 in the November 2023 technical information; this is not a single-molecule melting point.

What is the cloud point in distilled water?
Approximately 38 °C by EN 1890 Method A, which uses 1 g of surfactant in 100 g of distilled water.

What is the cloud point in a sodium chloride test medium?
Approximately 30 °C by EN 1890 Method B, using 1 g surfactant with 100 g of a 50 g/L sodium chloride solution.

Why does LF 901 have several cloud-point values?
Cloud point changes with the test medium; Methods A, B, D and E use different water, electrolyte or butyldiglycol solutions and must be identified separately.

What are the Method D and Method E cloud points?
The 2023 bulletin reports approximately 53 °C by Method D and 48 °C by Method E in their respective specified butyldiglycol-containing mixtures.

Is cloud point the same as flash point?
No. Cloud point measures a solution phase change, while flash point concerns the temperature at which ignitable vapors are generated under a specified method.

What is the flash point of Plurafac LF 901?
A March 2019 U.S. SDS reports approximately 200 °C under a closed-cup method; confirm the current regional SDS before use.

Does Plurafac LF 901 have a published boiling point?
The reviewed 2019 U.S. SDS reports greater than 250 °C; this does not define a safe processing temperature.

What is the surface tension of its aqueous solution?
Approximately 29 mN/m at 1 g/L in distilled water and 23 °C by EN 14370, with the specified correction, is the representative technical result.

How much foam does Plurafac LF 901 generate?
Approximately 20 mL under the standard EN 12728 foam-formation method; different equipment and formulated products can give different results.

Does 20 mL foam mean the material is a defoamer?
No. It describes low foam in a specific test. A dedicated antifoam is designed to destroy or suppress foam, which is a separate function.

What is the typical pH value?
Approximately pH 7 is reported under EN 1262 solution B; the measurement is not the pH of a neat nonaqueous liquid.

Can the pH change during storage?
The manufacturer notes that pH can decrease over time in LF grades without necessarily affecting performance; check current specifications if pH is a critical acceptance criterion.

Is Plurafac LF 901 clearly soluble in distilled water?
Yes in the manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C screening; that result is not proof of complete solubility at every concentration or temperature.

Is Plurafac LF 901 clearly soluble in potable water?
Yes at 10% and 23 °C in the same qualitative screening, subject to the specific water used for the published test.

Does Plurafac LF 901 dissolve in 5% sodium chloride solution?
The manufacturer reports clear solubility at the 10% surfactant screening concentration and 23 °C.

Does Plurafac LF 901 dissolve in 5% hydrochloric acid solution?
The manufacturer reports a clear result under the 10% at 23 °C screening, but this is not a general compatibility or safety guarantee for all acids.

Is Plurafac LF 901 clearly soluble in 5% caustic soda?
No. The manufacturer's 10% at 23 °C screening does not classify it as clear soluble in that caustic medium.

Is Plurafac LF 901 soluble in ethanol and isopropanol?
Yes. Both alcohols were marked clear soluble in the manufacturer's 10% qualitative screening at 23 °C.

How does Plurafac LF 901 behave in mineral spirit?
The 10% at 23 °C manufacturer screen describes an opalescent solution rather than a completely clear one.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be used in highly alkaline cleaners?
It may be evaluated, but concentrate clarity and long-term compatibility must be checked carefully because the published 5% caustic screen was not clear.

Is Plurafac LF 901 compatible with other surfactants?
Nonionic chemistry can facilitate blending in some systems, but each anionic, amphoteric or nonionic combination requires empirical stability and foam testing.

Can Plurafac LF 901 help remove grease?
It may assist wetting and soil removal as part of a properly formulated cleaning system; effectiveness depends on grease type, alkalinity and process conditions.

Is Plurafac LF 901 a disinfectant?
No. The available technical information identifies it as a cleaning surfactant, not as a registered antimicrobial or disinfectant active.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be used in automatic dishwashing detergents?
It is a reasonable low-foam nonionic candidate for formulation testing, but the complete detergent must be validated for foam, cleaning, spotting and machine compatibility.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be evaluated for CIP cleaning?
Yes, for appropriate industrial cleaner development, provided clouding, wetting, foam, materials and wastewater performance are verified at real process temperatures.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be used for food-contact surfaces?
Any such use depends on the finished cleaner, applicable jurisdiction and rinsing requirements; surfactant identity alone does not establish permission.

Is Plurafac LF 901 a food additive?
No food-additive designation or approval was verified for this grade, and its use in industrial food-processing cleaning must not be confused with direct addition to food.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be considered for bottle-washing formulations?
It may be investigated for mechanically circulated cleaning, but the formulation should be checked for caustic compatibility, foam and substrate safety.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be used in commercial laundry?
It can be evaluated for low-foam detergent chemistry, but no single validated laundry dose or universal cleaning-performance claim was established.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be used in vehicle-care cleaners?
It can be assessed for suitable vehicle-maintenance formulations, with independent validation of paint and substrate compatibility and rinsing residue.

What is the wetting time at 1 g/L and 23 °C?
Approximately 30 seconds in EN 1772 with distilled water containing 2 g/L soda ash.

What is the wetting time at 2 g/L and 23 °C?
Approximately 10 seconds under the same standardized EN 1772 conditions.

Does wetting always improve as temperature rises?
No. The 2023 manufacturer data show slower standardized LF 901 wetting at 70 °C than at 23 °C at comparable test concentrations.

What is the wetting time at 1 g/L and 70 °C?
Approximately 150 seconds is reported by EN 1772 in the specified test solution.

Does a lower surface tension guarantee better cleaning?
No. Soil type, surface chemistry, mechanical action, formulation stability and rinsing also control practical cleaning performance.

What happens to viscosity when water is added?
The 2023 Brookfield data first rise to about 155 mPa·s at 10% water and then generally decrease with greater dilution.

What is the viscosity with 50% water addition?
Approximately 85 mPa·s at 23 °C in the manufacturer's Brookfield LVT surfactant-water dilution series.

How should aqueous solutions be prepared?
The manufacturer advises introducing the surfactant into water with mixing for LF grades; detailed procedures must follow the complete formulation and applicable safety requirements.

Does the neat liquid viscosity predict all formulations?
No. Electrolytes, solvents, co-surfactants and water can change the viscosity profile substantially.

How should clouding in storage be interpreted?
Temporary low-temperature clouding is described as a reversible appearance change for LF grades, but material should be assessed against current handling specifications.

What is the recommended storage arrangement?
Keep the product indoors in its original, tightly closed packaging, with temperature managed according to manufacturer instructions.

Does the manufacturer provide shelf-life guidance?
The November 2023 LF family bulletin states at least two years in original packaging if properly stored and tightly sealed; current supply terms should be confirmed.

What should be done with cold-clouded material?
Consult the current supplier instructions for controlled warming and check for normal appearance; do not apply uncontrolled heating or expose sealed drums to hot spots.

Should bulk tanks be heated indefinitely?
No. The family bulletin gives specific precautions for heated storage, including prevention of air contact and avoidance of localized overheating.

Which storage tank materials are suggested?
The 2023 LF family document names selected stainless steels, including AISI 316 Ti and AISI 321, while real formulations require a separate compatibility review.

What does an SDS provide?
A safety data sheet communicates jurisdiction-specific hazards, exposure controls, first aid, firefighting, environmental precautions and transport classification.

What does a TDS provide?
A technical data sheet describes typical properties and performance tests; its representative data do not automatically form binding batch specifications.

What does a COA provide?
A certificate of analysis links measured results to a specific lot and should be checked against agreed acceptance criteria.

Does LF 901 have the same hazards in every regional SDS?
Not necessarily. An older U.S. SDS and a more recent Mexico SDS describe different eye and oral hazard classes, so the current local document must be consulted.

What eye protection is appropriate?
Chemical splash goggles are important; a face shield may be warranted in transfer tasks, especially given the serious eye-damage statement in a later regional SDS.

What should be done if the product enters the eyes?
Begin immediate water rinsing for at least 15 minutes and obtain prompt medical guidance, using the latest applicable SDS.

What should be done after skin contact?
Wash thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing and obtain medical advice if irritation develops or persists.

Should vomiting be induced after ingestion?
No. Rinse the mouth, contact a poison center or clinician promptly and follow the current SDS without inducing vomiting.

Is Plurafac LF 901 readily flammable?
The reviewed 2019 SDS does not classify it as a readily flammable liquid and reports a flash point around 200 °C, but mixtures can have different fire hazards.

Does it require a UN transport number?
The reviewed 2019 U.S. SDS does not classify the product as dangerous goods under USDOT, IMDG or IATA/ICAO; confirm the current shipment-specific status.

Is Plurafac LF 901 biodegradable?
The reviewed 2019 SDS identifies it as readily biodegradable under specified test criteria; this does not mean it can be discharged without control.

Can Plurafac LF 901 harm aquatic organisms?
Yes, regional safety information includes harmful-to-aquatic-life hazard language, so releases to waterways and drains should be avoided.

Does biodegradability mean the cleaner is environmentally harmless?
No. Spent cleaners may contain builders, oils, metals and other hazardous constituents, and surfactants can be harmful at sufficient concentrations.

Is Plurafac LF 901 approved for all food-and-beverage cleaning operations?
No. The complete formulation and specific use conditions must meet the applicable local rules and customer requirements.

Can LF 900 be directly substituted for Plurafac LF 901?
Not without validation. Their published foam values, viscosity and cloud-point documentation differ, and complete cleaner performance can change.

How does Plurafac LF 901 differ from LF 1300?
In the manufacturer's 10% water-solubility screen, LF 901 is clear soluble while LF 1300 is not; other properties also differ.

Is any alcohol alkoxylate an exact replacement?
No. Chain distribution, alkoxylation pattern, clouding, foam and compatibility determine practical interchangeability.

Are published technical values guaranteed for every batch?
No. The manufacturer explicitly describes its family technical figures as representative rather than necessarily contractual specifications.

What parameters matter most during incoming quality control?
Confirm grade identity and evaluate the properties named in the purchase specification, potentially including appearance, viscosity, density, cloud point and traceability.

What documents should a buyer request?
At minimum, request the current regional SDS, relevant TDS or product specification and a batch-specific COA where needed.

Can Plurafac LF 901 be stored in any plastic container?
No universal compatibility is established. Storage-container selection should reflect the neat material, actual formula and supplier-approved packaging.

Can the product be added directly to concentrated acid or caustic?
Do not improvise chemical mixing. The published solubility test is not a safety procedure, and engineered compatibility and safe-addition assessments are required.

Where can purchasing and technical inquiries be directed?
Ataman Kimya can be contacted to discuss Plurafac LF 901 grade selection, documentation, packaging possibilities, current availability and quotations, subject to confirmation.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Plurafac LF 901 is an approximately 100%-active liquid fatty alcohol alkoxylate with a commercially documented low-foaming nonionic profile. The manufacturer's November 2023 bulletin reports approximately 130 mPa·s dynamic viscosity and 1.01 g/cm3 density at 23 °C, 20 mL foam in EN 12728, around 38 °C cloud point under EN 1890 Method A, and around 29 mN/m surface tension at 1 g/L under the specified test conditions. These are representative technical data rather than guaranteed batch specifications.

The wetting response of Plurafac LF 901 is concentration- and temperature-sensitive, and its qualitative 10% screening shows clear solubility in water while also revealing non-clear behavior in 5% caustic solution. It can be evaluated for mechanical detergent systems, automatic dishwashing and selected industrial cleaning applications, but suitability depends on the complete formulation, substrate and process conditions. For safe and responsible use, check current regional SDS information, test full-scale compatibility and obtain the relevant COA and product specification.

CONTACT ATAMAN KIMYA

For inquiries about Plurafac LF 901, customers may contact Ataman Kimya to discuss their intended application, target performance and the technical documentation required for evaluation. The team may be asked about grade identification, relevant specifications, SDS and COA availability, packaging options, current commercial availability and a quotation; none of these supply conditions should be assumed without confirmation.

Before requesting a price or sample, share the product name, the expected application, required quantity, destination market and any particular cloud-point, foam or compliance requirements. This helps ensure that the grade and document version discussed are appropriate for the intended industrial use.

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