Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a very effective foaming agent. It is an anionic detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, toothpaste. Used in wetting agent formulations, liquid detergents, cleaners, shampoos and laundry detergents. SLES is also surfactants that is used in many cosmetic products for cleaning and emulsifying properties. SLES 70% dissolves readily in hard and soft water and provides a consistent foam character. Synonyms: Sodium lauryl ether sulfate; Laurylether sodium sulphate; Lauryl ether sulfate sodium; Sodium lauryl ether sulphate; Sodium laureth sulphate; CAS #: 68585-34-2; Molecular Formula: C12H25(OCH2CH2)2OSO3Na.
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is an anionic surfactant. Its excellent detergency makes it one of the key components of rinse-off products, as a primary surfactant. In addition to cleansing power, SLES is distinguished by excellent emulsification and foaming abilities, and compatibility with the majority of surfactants (all except cationic).
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate can be used for wood coating formulation.
Sodium laureth sulfate (sometimes referred to as SLES) is used in cosmetics as a detergent and also to make products bubble and foam. It is common in shampoos, shower gels and facial cleansers. It is also found in household cleaning products, like dish soap.
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate(SLES) is an anionic surfactant which is widely used in rinse off products as a primary surfactant. In addition to excellent detergency (also referred as cleansing), it also has excellent emulsification and foamability. It is major component of rinse-off products. It is compatible with all surfactants except cationic.
Sulfation. Initially, lauryl ethoxylate is sulfated in batches by cholorosulfonic acid. Both reagents are fed to a glass-lined, stirred, jacketed reactor, with the acid being gradually added to the reaction. The sulfation is carried out at 25 - 30°C under a vacuum for about 2.5 hours. The gaseous HCl by-product is led off the sulfation product and directed to a scrubber downstream. The sulfation product is fed to the neutralization.
Neutralization. The sulfation product is fed to a neutralization vessel, where it is contacted with a 50 wt% caustic soda solution along with process water to adjust its active component. The neutralization reaction is carried out below 45 °C, generating a 70 wt% sodium lauryl ether sulfate further routed to packaging.
Scrubbing. The HCl evolved during the sulfation is fed to a scrubber, which is absorbed in process water, generating a 33 wt% hydrochloric acid solution by-product.
The product has good solvency, favorable hard-water resistance and high-biodegradation. It also facilitates ease of formulation and production. In addition, it also creates a degree of thickening to the final product formulation.
sodium laureth sulfate may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. The International Agency for Research on Cancer ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system and the California Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a possible developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development. 1,4-dioxane is also persistent. In other words, it doesn’t easily degrade and can remain in the environment long after it is rinsed down the shower drain. 1,4-dioxane can be removed from cosmetics during the manufacturing process by vacuum stripping, but there is no easy way for consumers to know whether products containing sodium laureth sulfate have undergone this process. The industry panel that reviews the safety of cosmetics ingredients notes that sodium laureth sulfate can irritate the skin and eyes (though approving of its use in cosmetics).
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate(SLES) can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use. It may also be contaminated with a substance called 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. This contamination occurs during the manufacturing process.
