C9–11 alcohol ethoxylates (CAS 68439-46-3) are nonionic surfactants used in detergents, hard-surface cleaners and textile processing. They help water wet surfaces and lift oily soils. The average degree of ethoxylation affects how the surfactant behaves in water, so grades with the same CAS number can suit different formulations.
Laundry Detergents and Hard-Surface Cleaners
In liquid laundry detergents, C9–11 alcohol ethoxylates help the wash liquor reach oily soils on fabric and keep removed oil dispersed. They can be blended with anionic surfactants where the detergent needs a particular balance of oily-soil removal and foam. Foam depends on the grade, the other surfactants and the wash conditions.
In household and industrial hard-surface cleaners, selected grades support wetting and grease removal. A clear spray cleaner needs to stay uniform in the bottle and at its intended dilution. An industrial degreaser also has to match the soil, substrate and use temperature. Shell’s alcohol ethoxylate applications overview.
Textile Wetting and Scouring
During textile pretreatment, a wetting agent helps the scouring bath reach the fabric and contact spinning oils and other oily residues. Removal of these residues prepares the fabric for subsequent processing. The wetting performance of a grade depends on the bath temperature and composition, including the alkali and other auxiliaries present.
Foam can matter in circulating equipment. Grade selection depends on the combination of fabric wet-out, oil removal and foam in the actual bath. The Stepan C9–11 alcohol ethoxylate bulletin lists textile and cleaning applications and gives typical properties for several grades.
How EO Level and Cloud Point Affect Grade Selection
C9–11 refers to the carbon-chain range of the starting alcohols. The EO level describes the average number of ethylene oxide units per alcohol molecule. Dow lists the same CAS number for its 6 EO grade and 8 EO grade. Those are separate grades with different aqueous behavior.
Cloud point is the temperature at which a solution turns cloudy under defined test conditions. In Stepan’s bulletin, the typical cloud point at 1% in water is 47–58 °C for N91-6 and 78–85 °C for N91-8. Those figures illustrate the difference between two grades in the same series. Salts, alkali and other ingredients can shift the cloud point of the finished formula.
Unilong’s C9–11 Alcohol Ethoxylates (CAS 68439-46-3) product listing shows a liquid specification with a cloud point of 47–57 °C. The EO level, concentration and test medium are the relevant details when comparing that range with another grade. Company information is available on the About Unilong page.
Post time: Nov-11-2026