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Pluronic PE 6100 is a 100% active, low-foaming, non-ionic surfactant.
Pluronic PE 6100 is block copolymers in which a central polypropylene glycol group is surrounded by two polyethylene glycol groups.
Pluronic PE 6100 is a low-foaming block copolymer for a wide variety of applications.
CAS Details: 9003-11-6
Product Number (PRD): 30044126
Linear Formula: HO(C2H4O)x(C3H6O)y(C2H4O)xH
Product Number (PRD): 30044053
Molar Mass: Approximately 2000 g/mol
Physical Form: Clear to slightly cloudy liquid at room temperature.
Synonyms & Technical Identifiers
IUPAC / Technical Chemical Names
Oxirane, 2-methyl-, polymer with oxirane (Official regulatory name for CAS 9003-11-6)
Ethylene oxide / Propylene oxide block copolymer
Poloxamer 181 (Common pharmaceutical and cosmetic nomenclature)
Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide)
PEG-PPG-PEG Block Copolymer
Block copolymer of EO and PO
Synthetic block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide
Generic Industrial & Functional Classifications
Low-foaming nonionic surfactant
Nonionic block copolymer surfactant
Defoaming agent / Foam depressant
Polyalkylene glycol ether
Hydrohydroxyl block polymer
Primary Commercial Alternatives & Competitors
Synperonic PE/L 61 (Manufactured by Croda)
Antarox L-61 / Antarox BL-214 (Manufactured by Solvay / Syensqo)
Tergetol L-61 (Manufactured by Dow Chemical)
Epan 410 / Epan 710 (Manufactured by DKS Co. Ltd.)
Supronic L 61
Pluronic PE 6100 in the Pluronic PE product range is insoluble in water and a 10% dilute acid and dilute alkali solution.
Pluronic PE 6100 is used as a defoamer in dishwashing and bottle washing formulations, having excellent antifoaming properties even in the presence of protein starches and adhesives.
Pluronic PE 6100 is recommended to use Pluronic PE 6100 with the Plurafac product range or other Pluronic PE varieties.
PLURONIC PE 6100 is a low-foaming nonionic surfactant that can be used as an antifoam agent.
PLURONIC PE 6100 suppresses foam very well, even in the presence of proteins, starches or sizes.
PLURONIC PE 6100 is insoluble in water at room temperature making PLURONIC PE 6100 suitable for use in applications involving intensive mechanical action.
Due to its excellent foam suppression properties, PLURONIC PE 6100 can help improve manufacturing processes in advanced material industries by preventing foam formation which can cause defects and lower yields.
PLURONIC PE 6100 is sometimes advisable to use PLURONIC PE 6100 in combination with other surfactants to achieve synergistic antifoaming effects.
Pluronic PE 6100 Applications:
Pluronic PE 6100 can be used in situations where foam is troublesome, such as domestic dishwashers and industrial bottle washing machines.
Pluronic PE 6100 suppresses foam very well even in the presence of protein and starch.
Pluronic PE 6100 can also be used to defoam metal cleaning baths, acidic dye baths, and boiler feed water.
Pluronic PE 6100 is used in detergents and cleaning agents as a low-foaming surfactant and foam inhibitor.
Typical applications of Pluronic PE 6100 include rinse aids, detergents for dishwashers and bottle rinsing machines, and industrial cleaning formulations.
To clarify aqueous solutions of Pluronic PE 6100, solvents such as ethanol or isopropanol need to be added.
Pluronic PE 6100 is also used as a low-foaming emulsifier in emulsion polymerization and as a dispersing agent for pigment pastes and preparations.
Pluronic PE 6100 can be used in situations where foam is troublesome, such as domestic dishwashers and industrial bottle washing machines.
Pluronic PE 6100 suppresses foam very well even in the presence of protein, starch, or size.
Pluronic PE 6100 is sometimes recommended to use Pluronic PE 6100 together with Plurafac LF types or other Pluronic PE types.
Pluronic PE 6100 can also be used to defoam metal cleaning baths, acidic dye baths, and boiler feed water.
Pluronic PE 6100 has a good wetting and dispersing effect along with a low foaming tendency.
Within Pluronic PE, products with a lower degree of ethoxylation have a better foam suppression effect compared to products with a higher degree of ethoxylation.
Specialized Technical Applications
Industrial Emulsion & Dispersions
Emulsion Polymerization: Beyond its standard use as a cleaner, Pluronic PE 6100 is highly effective as a low-foaming emulsifier during emulsion polymerization reactions, ensuring uniform polymer particle sizes without creating unmanageable foam blankets in the reactor.
Pigment Stabilization: Pluronic PE 6100 functions as a powerful dispersing agent for pigment pastes and liquid color preparations, preventing heavy particles from settling or agglomerating over time.
Heavy Industrial & Utility Maintenance
Metal Processing: Added to highly agitated metal cleaning and degreasing baths to keep operational foam low.
Textile & Dye Chemistry: Used in acidic dye baths where foaming could cause uneven dye distribution or fabric spotting.
Boiler Operations: Utilized in high-pressure steam systems to thoroughly defoam boiler feed water, protecting pipes and valves from cavitation damage caused by carried-over foam bubbles.
Chemical Structure & Nature
Surfactant Class: Pluronic PE 6100 is a 100% active, low-foaming, non-ionic surfactant.
Molecular Architecture: It belongs to a series of block copolymers consisting of a central polypropylene glycol group (hydrophobe) surrounded by two polyethylene glycol groups (hydrophiles).
Copolymer Composition: As part of the Pluronic PE series, Pluronic PE 6100 is an ethylene oxide and propylene oxide block copolymer.
Within this range, products like PE 6100 that possess a lower degree of ethoxylation exhibit a superior foam suppression effect compared to those with higher ethoxylation degrees.
Typical Physical & Chemical Properties
Physical Form (at 25 °C): Liquid.
pH Value (5% solution in water): Approximately 7.
Cloud Point (1% solution in water): Approximately 23 °C.
Solubility & Clarification: Pluronic PE 6100 is insoluble in water, as well as in 10% dilute acid and dilute alkali solutions.
To successfully clarify its aqueous solutions, the addition of solvents like ethanol or isopropanol is required.
Consistency Trends: The physical consistency of individual grades in this family is determined by their polyethylene glycol content and the molar mass of the central polypropylene glycol block; as these numerical values increase, the materials tend to become more solid.
Pluronic PE 6100 Applications:
-Food Service and Kitchen Hygiene
-Food and Beverage Processing
-Institutional Cleaning and Sanitation
Fields of Application
Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning
Formulated into heavy-duty alkaline or acidic cleaners where high mechanical force or spraying pressures are applied.
Pluronic PE 6100 suppresses foam generated by organic soils or other high-foaming surfactants.
Automatic Dishwashing (ADW) & Rinse Aids
Used in commercial and household dishwasher detergents to prevent foam buildup caused by proteinaceous food residues (such as egg or milk soils) and to ensure spot-free drying.
Fermentation & Biotechnology
Functions as a highly effective defoamer in fermentation vessels and bioreactors without inhibiting cell growth or disrupting microbial processes.
Water Treatment & Boiler Cleaning
Utilized in cooling towers, wastewater treatment plants, and industrial boilers to control surface foam and prevent air entrainment.
Metal Processing & Cutting Fluids
Acts as a low-foaming lubricant, emulsifier, and cooling additive in metalworking fluids, acid pickling baths, and electroplating lines.
Key Performance Features
Advanced Foam Inhibition & Suppression
Pluronic PE 6100 is widely utilized as a highly effective foam inhibitor and low-foaming surfactant.
Pluronic PE 6100 has a very low foaming tendency combined with good wetting and dispersing actions.
Pluronic PE 6100 is highly valued for its ability to excellently suppress and prevent foam even under challenging conditions, such as in the presence of:
Protein and starches.
Size (textile/paper processing compounds).
Adhesives and glues.
Key Performance Features
Outstanding Defoaming Performance
Unlike structural surfactants that generate foam to clean, Pluronic PE 6100 is primarily engineered to destroy or suppress foam.
Pluronic PE 6100 is highly active at temperatures above its cloud point, destabilizing the surface tension of foam lamellae.
Thermal & Chemical Stability
Because Pluronic PE 6100 is a nonionic polyether block copolymer terminating in hydroxyl groups, Pluronic PE 6100 remains highly stable across a broad pH spectrum.
Pluronic PE 6100 does not decompose or lose performance in the presence of diluted mineral acids, organic acids, alkalis, hard water ions, or active chlorine compounds.
Synergistic Blending
Pluronic PE 6100 can be freely combined with other nonionic surfactants (such as Plurafac linear alcohol alkoxylates) or anionic and cationic surfactants to balance wetting power with dynamic foam suppression in concentrated formulations.
Formulation Compatibility
Pluronic PE 6100 is frequently recommended to co-formulate Pluronic PE 6100 alongside the Plurafac product range (such as Plurafac LF types) or other varieties within the Pluronic PE series to optimize cleaning and defoaming synergy.
Primary Applications
Pluronic PE 6100 is classified for use across Industrial and Institutional (I&I) sectors as well as Personal Care fields.
Pluronic PE 6100 is ideal for any application where excessive foam is troublesome or disrupts mechanical processes:
Kitchen Hygiene & Food Service: Used directly in detergents and rinse aids for domestic dishwashers.
Food & Beverage Processing: Integrated into heavy-duty industrial bottle washing machines and bottle rinsing formulations.
Industrial Surface Treatments: Applied as a defoamer in specialized metal cleaning baths and acidic dye baths.
Chemical Processing & Polymerization: Utilized as a low-foaming emulsifier during emulsion polymerization processes.
Dispersions: Serves as an effective dispersing agent for pigment pastes and preparations.
Utility Utilities: Employed to eliminate foam accumulations in boiler feed water systems.
Chemical structure of Pluronic PE:
Pluronic PE types are low-foaming, nonionic surfactants.
Pluronic PE types are block copolymers in which a central polypropylene glycol group is surrounded by two polyethylene glycol groups.
Pluronic PE types conform to the following structural formula.
Nomenclature of Pluronic PE:
Pluronic PE types are designated by a four-digit or five-digit code.
The first digit - or the first two digits - is a guide on a scale of 1 - 10 for the molar mass of the hydrophobe, in this case polypropylene glycol.
The second or third digit is the percentage of polyethylene glycol in the molecule multiplied by 10.
Properties of Pluronic PE:
The consistency of individual products within the Pluronic PE range is determined by the polyethylene glycol content and the molar mass of the central polypropylene glycol block.
As these numbers increase, they tend to become more solid.
The Pluronic PE series surfactants are low-foaming ethylene oxide and propylene oxide block copolymers.
Typical properties of Pluronic PE 6100:
Physical form (25°C): Liquid
pH (5% in water): approx. 7
Cloud point (1% in water): [°C] approx. 23
