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Pluronic PE 9400 is a low-foaming, nonionic surfactant.
Pluronic PE 9400 is a block copolymer in which the central polypropylene glycol group is flanked by two polyethylene glycol groups.
Pluronic PE 9400 conforms to the following structural formula.
CAS Number: 9003-11-6
Synonyms: Poloxalene, 2-methyloxirane; oxirane, Bloat Guard, Bloat Guard Drench Concentrate, Bloat Guard Top Dressing, DTXSID4047597, Oxyethylene Oxypropylene Polymer, Oxypropylene Polymer, Oxyethylene, Peg/ppg-24/34 triblock copolymer, Polymer, Oxyethylene Oxypropylene, Polyoxyethylene Polyoxypropylene Polyoxyethylene Polymer, RefChem:8560, SK&F 18,667, SK&F 18667, SK&F-18667, SK&F18667, Sweetlix Bloat Guard Pressed Block, Therabloat, Therabloat Drench, V8B3K56SW0, polossalene, poloxaleno, poloxalenum, Polyethylene-polypropylene glycol, BSP 5000, Ethylene oxide, propylene oxide block polymer, Polyethylene glycol, propoxylated, RC 102
Pluronic PE 9400 is a low-foam, non-ionic surfactant and block copolymer used as an emulsifier, dispersing agent, and stabilizer in industrial and chemical applications.
Pluronic PE 9400 features an approximate molecular weight of 4,600 g/mol and roughly 40% polyethylene oxide (PEO) content.
Key Properties
Chemical Nature: Triblock copolymer (polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene) supplied as a white, waxy solid.
Solubility & Compatibility: Miscible with anionic, cationic, and other non-ionic surfactants; stable in hard water and non-oxidizing acids.
Function: Acts effectively to emulsify mineral oils and disperse solid particles in aqueous systems.
Compatibility: Pluronic PE 9400 is nonionic and therefore miscible with anionic, cationic and other nonionic surfactants.
Pluronic PE 9400 does not react with cations such as Ca2+ or Mg2+, which means that it can be used in hard water.
Pluronic PE 9400 is also compatible with soluble polyanionic substances such as CP types, PA types and carboxymethyl cellulose.
Pluronic PE 9400 is fully resistant to non-oxidizing acids at the concentrations at which it is normally employed in applications such as those described below but, although it is resistant to alkalis, it is not resistant to alkalis to quite the same extent.
Common Applications
Emulsification: Pluronic PE 9400 is used to create stable biocompatible or industrial oil-in-water emulsions.Dispersants: Helps suspend and disperse solids evenly in water-based formulations.
Formulations: Integrated into various industrial cleaners and chemical processes requiring controlled or low foaming.
Physical form (23 °C): Waxy solid
Molar mass, calculated from OH number g/mol: approx. 4600
Concentration %: approx. 100
pH value (EN 1262): approx. 7
Density (DIN 51757, 23 °C) g/cm3: approx. 1.03
Melting point °C: approx. 32
Wetting (EN 1772, 23 °C, 2 g/L soda ash, 1 g/L surfactant) s: >300
Surface tension (EN 14370, 1 g/L, 23 °C) mN/m: approx. 42
Circulation foam (EN 14371, 0.1 g/L, 25 °C) :
1min. ml 730
10 min. ml 1480
5 min. after pumping stopped ml 1140
HLB: approx. 14
Processing: It is advisable to stir the surfactant into water when preparing aqueous solutions, because solutions made up in the reverse order can have a very high viscosity.
Products with a high molar mass also form gels in water at certain concentrations.
Solubility: Pluronic PE 9400 is more soluble in cold water than in hot water.
As in all alkoxylates, the oxygen atoms in the ether groups form hydrogen bonds with water.
The molecules gradually dissociate as the solution warms up.
It is for this reason that alkoxylates have a cloud point at which they form a separate phase.
Pluronic PE 9400 has its own characteristic cloud point.
Applications
Pluronic PE 9400 is used in industrial applications as an emulsifier for mineral oil and for dispersing solids in water.
Like many other products in the Pluronic PE range, it has a high dispersing capacity for calcium and magnesium salts.
Molecular Behavior & Interfacial Science
Adsorption Layers: Pluronic PE 9400 adsorbs irreversibly at both air-water and oil-water (e.g., limonene-water) boundaries.
Conformational Shift: Changes layout depending on concentration, moving from a flat 2D layout to a dense 3D "brush-like" barrier at the interface, maximizing emulsion stability.
Structure Directing: Used to synthesize advanced mesocellular foam-type silicas due to its controlled block ratio.
Operational Advantages & Performance
Low Foaming Profile: While it generates dynamic circulation foam (~730 ml after 1 min), it acts as a low-foaming agent compared to standard ethoxylated alcohols during prolonged processing.
Defoaming Actions: Its custom EO/PO block architecture provides excellent foam control in water-based systems.
Hard Water Stability: Remains fully functional and clear across a wide range of water hardness and acid concentrations.
Product Groups
- Chemical
• Alkoxylates / EO/PO block copolymers
• Polymers
- Functional
• Emulsifying / Oil-Water-Emulsifiers
• Dispersing
• pH Adjustment
• Surface Modification
• Surfactants
- Product Line
• Additives / Film-forming Agents / Plasticizers
• Building blocks & Precursors
• Lubricants
Industries & Applications
- Adhesives & Sealants
• Emulsion Polymerization - Co-Surfactant/ Post-Add
- Agriculture
• Additives for crop protection
- Industrial Manufacturing
• Emulsion Polymerization
- Packaging, Print & Paper
• (Paper) Formulation Additives
- Paints & Coatings
• Resin Emulsification
- Plastics & Rubber
• (Rubber) Emulsion Polymerization
Shelf life: Pluronic PE 9400 has a shelf life of at least two years, provided it is stored in its original packaging and kept tightly sealed.
