Technical Information

TI/EMV 1182 e
June 2008 Page 1 of 10

Supersedes edition dated December 2005

Lutensol AT types
= Registered trademark of BASF SE

Lutensol AT 11 Lutensol AT 50 E
Lutensol AT 13 Lutensol AT 50 Powder
Lutensol AT 18 Lutensol AT 50 Flakes
Lutensol AT 18 Solution Lutensol AT 80 E
Lutensol AT 25 E Lutensol AT 80 Powder
Lutensol AT 25 Powder Lutensol AT 80 Flakes
Lutensol AT 25 Flakes
 onionic surfactants for use in detergents and cleaners and for the
N
chemical and allied industries
TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page  of 10 Lutensol AT types

Chemical nature The Lutensol AT types are nonionic surfactants. They are alkylpolyethylene
glycol ethers made from a linear, saturated C16C18 fatty alcohol. They
conform to the following formula.

RO(CH2CH2O)xH

R = Linear, saturated C16C18 fatty alcohol

x = 11, 13, 18, 25, 50 or 80

The number in the alphanumeric code indicates the nominal degree of

ethoxylation.

The Lutensol AT types are manufactured by causing the fatty alcohol to

react with ethylene oxide in stoichiometric proportions. The ethoxylation
temperature is kept as low as possible. This, combined with the high purity
of the feedstocks, ensures that a high-performance product with low toxicity
is obtained.

Properties
Lutensol AT 18 Solution is a clear or cloudy, colourless or slightly yellowish
liquid.

Lutensol AT 11 and Lutensol AT 13 are colourless or slightly yellowish, waxy

cast solids.

Lutensol AT 18, Lutensol AT 25 E, Lutensol AT 50 E and

Lutensol AT 80 E are colourless or slightly yellowish cast solids.

Lutensol AT 25 Powder, Lutensol AT 50 Powder and

Lutensol AT 80 Powder are colourless or slightly yellowish powders.

Lutensol AT 25 Flakes, Lutensol AT 50 Flakes and

Lutensol AT 80 Flakes are colourless or slightly yellowish spicular flakes.
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Lutensol AT 11 AT 13 AT 18 AT 18 AT 25 E AT 25 AT 25
Solution Powder Flakes

Degree of ethoxylation ca. 11 ca. 13 ca. 18 ca. 18 ca. 25 ca. 25 ca. 25

Concentration % ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 20 ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100
Cloud point (EN 1890)*
Method A C ca. 87 ca. 92 > 100 > 100 > 100 > 100 > 100
Method B C ca. 70 ca. 77 ca. 92 ca. 92 ca. 95 ca. 95 ca. 95
Method C C ca. 60 ca. 68 ca. 72 ca. 72 ca. 80 ca. 80 ca. 80
Method D C ca. 89 ca. 93 ca. 93 ca. 93
Method E C ca. 92 ca. 95 ca. 95 ca. 95
Molar mass (calculated
from hydroxyl number) g/mol ca. 740 ca. 830 ca. 1050 ca. 1050 ca. 1360 ca. 1360 ca. 1360
pH (EN 1262, 5% in water)** ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7
Density (DIN 51757, 60 C) g/cm3 ca. 0.97 ca. 0.98 ca. 1.0 ca. 1.01 ca. 1.02 ca. 1.02 ca. 1.02
(23 C)
Apparent density (ISO 697) kg/l ca. 0.6 ca. 0.5
Dropping point (DIN 51801) C ca. 35 ca. 37 ca. 44 < 5 ca. 45 ca. 45 ca. 45
Congealing point (ISO 2207) C ca. 30 ca. 32 ca. 37 < 5 ca. 38 ca. 38 ca. 38
Clear melting point C ca. 34 ca. 36 ca. 42 < 5 ca. 46 ca. 46 ca. 46
Viscosity (EN 12092, 60 C,
Brookfield, 60 rpm) mPas ca. 30 ca. 30 ca. 60 ca. 25 ca. 70 ca. 70 ca. 70
(23 C)
Hydroxyl number (DIN 53240) mg KOH/g ca. 75 ca. 67 ca. 53 ca. 53 ca. 40 ca. 40 ca. 40
Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ca. 13 ca. 14 ca. 15 ca. 15 ca. 16 ca. 16 ca. 16
Wetting power (EN 1772, in distilled
water with 2 g/l soda ash)
0.5 g/l, 23 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
1 g/l, 23 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
2 g/l, 23 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
0.5 g/l, 70 C s ca. 150 ca. 200 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
1 g/l, 70 C s ca. 100 ca. 150 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
2 g/l 70 C s ca. 60 ca. 90 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
Foam formation (EN 12728,
40 C, 2 g/l in water with
a hardness of 1.8 mmol
Ca 2+ ions/l, after 30 sec) cm3 ca. 100 ca. 130 ca. 200 ca. 200 ca. 200 ca. 200 ca. 200
Surface tension***
(EN 14370, 1 g/l in distilled
water at 23 C) mN/m ca. 39 ca. 40 ca. 42 ca. 40 ca. 45 ca. 45 ca. 45

*** Cloud point according to EN 1890:

Method A: 1 g of surfactant + 100 g of distilled water
Method B: 1 g of surfactant + 100 g of NaCl solution (c = 50 g/l)
Method C: 1 g of surfactant + 100 g of NaCl solution (c = 100 g/l)
Method D: 5 g of surfactant + 45 g of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether solution (c = 250 g/l)
Method E: 5 g of surfactant + 25 g of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether solution (c = 250 g/l
*** The pH of the Lutensol AT types can decrease during storage, but this does not have any effect on their
performance.
*** Applying Harkins-Jordan correction.
TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page  of 10 Lutensol AT types

Lutensol AT 50 E AT 50 AT 50 AT 80 E AT 80 AT 80
Powder Flakes Powder Flakes

Degree of ethoxylation ca. 50 ca. 50 ca. 50 ca. 80 ca. 80 ca. 80

Concentration % ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100 ca. 100
Cloud point (EN 1890)* C
Method A C > 100 > 100 > 100 > 100 > 100 > 100
Method B C ca. 92 ca. 92 ca. 92 ca. 87 ca. 87 ca. 87
Method C C ca. 75 ca. 75 ca. 75 ca. 73 ca. 73 ca. 73
Method D C ca. 94 ca. 94 ca. 94 > 100 > 100 > 100
Method E C ca. 97 ca. 97 ca. 97 > 100 > 100 > 100
Molar mass (calculated
from hydroxyl number) g/mol ca. 2460 ca. 2460 ca. 2460 ca. 3780 ca. 3780 ca. 3780
pH (EN 1262, 5% in water)** ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7 ca. 7
Density (DIN 51757, 60 C) g/cm3 ca. 1.04 ca. 1.04 ca. 1.04 ca. 1.04 ca. 1.04 ca. 1.04
Apparent density (ISO 697) kg/l ca. 0.6 ca. 0.5 ca. 0.6 ca. 0.55
Dropping point (DIN 51801) C ca. 50 ca. 50 ca. 50 ca. 52 ca. 52 ca. 52
Congealing point (ISO 2207) C ca. 40 ca. 40 ca. 40 ca. 43 ca. 43 ca. 43
Clear melting point C ca. 54 ca. 54 ca. 54 ca. 56 ca. 56 ca. 56
Viscosity (EN 12092, 60 C,
Brookfield, 60 rpm) mPas ca. 150 ca. 150 ca. 150 ca. 300 ca. 300 ca. 300
Hydroxyl number (DIN 53240) mg KOH/g ca. 23 ca. 23 ca. 23 ca. 14 ca. 14 ca. 14
Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ca. 18 ca. 18 ca. 18 ca. 18.5 ca. 18.5 ca. 18.5
Wetting power (EN 1772, in distilled
water with 2 g/l soda ash)
0.5 g/l, 23 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
1 g/l, 23 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
2 g/l, 23 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
0.5 g/l, 70 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
1 g/l, 70 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
2 g/l, 70 C s > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300
Foam formation (EN 12728,
40 C, 2 g/l in water with
a hardness of 1.8 mmol
Ca2+ ions/l, after 30 sec) cm3 ca. 200 ca. 200 ca. 200 ca. 200 ca. 200 ca. 200
Surface tension***
(EN 14370, 1 g/l in distilled
water at 23 C) N/m ca. 48 ca. 48 ca. 48 ca. 50 ca. 50 ca. 50

The above information is correct at the time of going to press. It does not
necessarily form part of the product specification.

A detailed product specification is available from your local BASF

representative.
TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page  of 10 Lutensol AT types

Particle size distribution A typical particle size distribution curve for the powders in the
Lutensol AT range is shown below.

100

Cumulative content (%)

0

80

70

60

50

0

30

20

10

0
10 100 1000 10000
Particle size (m)

Particle size distribution of Lutensol AT powders

Solubility Details on the solubility of the Lutensol AT types in various solvents are given
in the table below.

Solubility of the Lutensol AT types (10% solutions at 23 C)

Lutensol AT 11 AT 13 AT 18 AT 25 AT 50 AT 80

Distilled water + + + + + +

Potable water
(approx. 2.7 mmol Ca2+ ions/l) + + + + + +

Caustic soda (5% w/w)

 ydrochloric acid
H
(5% w/w) + + + + +

S odium chloride solution

(5% w/w) + + + + +

Mineral oils

Ethanol + + + + + +

Aromatic hydrocarbons + + + + + +

+ = Clear solution
= Sparingly soluble
= Insoluble
TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page  of 10 Lutensol AT types

Viscosity The relationship between viscosity and temperature is always an important

point to consider when Lutensol AT types are to be stored or shipped. The
following curves show the viscosity of the Lutensol AT types as a function of
temperature.

10000

Viscosity (mPa s)
Luten-
sol
AT 18 Lutensol
AT 80
Lutensol
AT 25

1000
Lutensol
AT 11,
Lutensol
Lutensol
AT 13
AT 50

100

10
20 30 0 50 60 70 80
Temperature C

Lutensol AT types
Dynamic viscosity as a function of temperature
Method: EN 12092, Brookfield LVT

It is advisable to prepare stock solutions with a concentration of 1015%

for mixing with other solutions or for preparing very dilute solutions. These
solutions are then easy to dilute down to their final concentration.

The Lutensol AT types tend to form a gel at certain concentrations when

they are diluted with water, as can be seen from the table overleaf. The
viscosity was measured with a Brookfield viscometer at 60 rpm.

We would recommend preparing stock solutions with a concentration of

1015% by heating the water and the surfactant to approx. 70 C and then
stirring the surfactant into the water in small portions until the required con-
centration is reached. Care should be taken to ensure that the solution does
not form a gel.
TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page  of 10 Lutensol AT types

Viscosity of the Lutensol AT types as a function of temperature and concentration

(all figures in mPa)

Temperature Water Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol Lutensol

in C content (%) AT 11 AT 13 AT 18 AT 25 AT 50 AT 80

065 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105

70 ca. 800 ca. 2000 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105

75 ca. 50 ca. 400 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105

23 80 ca. 20 ca. 30 ca. 40 ca. 50 > 105 > 105

85 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 80

90 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 20

95 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10

065 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105

70 ca. 70 ca. 100 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105

75 ca. 40 ca. 40 ca. 40 ca. 50 > 105 > 105

50 80 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 50 ca. 70

85 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 20 ca. 30

90 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10

95 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10

065 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105 > 105

70 ca. 70 ca. 80 ca. 90 ca. 120 ca. 140 > 105

75 ca. 30 ca. 30 ca. 40 ca. 60 ca. 70 ca. 100

70 80 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 30 ca. 40 ca. 50

85 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 20 ca. 20 ca. 20

90 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10

95 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10 ca. 10

TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page  of 10 Lutensol AT types

Storage a) The Lutensol AT types should be stored in a dry place in their original
packaging, which should be kept tightly sealed. Storerooms must not be
overheated.

b) The Lutensol AT types are hygroscopic and soluble in water, with the
result that they absorb moisture very quickly. Drums and bags should be
tightly resealed each time material is taken from them.

c) Lutensol AT 11, AT 13, AT 18, AT 25 E, AT 50 E and AT 80 E should be

heated to a maximum of 70 C and homogenized before use. The most
convenient method of melting cast solids is to place the drums in a heat-
ing cabinet. External mantles can also be used, but the temperature
must not be allowed to exceed 70 C. Internal electrical elements should
not be used because of the localized anomalies in temperature that they
cause.

d) Lutensol AT 25 E, AT 50 E and 80 E can be stored in heated tanks at

temperatures not exceeding 70 C. They must be blanketed with nitro-
gen to prevent them from coming into contact with air. Gentle, constant
stirring helps to prevent them being discoloured as a result of prolonged
contact with electrical elements or external heating coils.

e) Products supplied in powder form Lutensol AT 25, Lutensol AT 50 and

Lutensol AT 80 should be stored in a dry place at a temperature not
exceeding 30 C. They must be protected from sunlight to ensure that
they do not form lumps.

Materials The following materials can be used for tanks and drums used to store
Lutensol AT 25 E, AT 50 E and 80 E.

a) AISI 321 stainless steel (X6 CrNiTi 1810)

b) AISI 316 Ti stainless steel (X10 CrNiMoTi 1810)

Shelf life The Lutensol AT types have a shelf life of at least two years, provided they
are stored in their original packaging and kept tightly sealed.

Applications
The Lutensol AT types have excellent detergency and excellent soil-
dispersing capacity. They are mainly employed in household, industrial and
institutional detergents and cleaners.

Their degrees of ethoxylation are such that they perform particularly well in
heavy-duty laundry detergents in the medium and high temperature ranges.
They also improve the flowability of detergent powders.

The Lutensol AT types also perform very well in aqueous cleaner formula-
tions and in formulations based on mixtures of water and organic solvents.

Very large amounts of acids, alkalis, salts and organic solvents may have to
be added to some types of formulation in order to fulfil special requirements.
High concentrations of inorganic salts, bases and acids can impair the
solubility of the Lutensol AT types, but this does not necessarily affect their
performance. Electrolytes of this type do not cause the Lutensol AT types to
decompose.

Lutensol AT 25, AT 50 and AT 80 are supplied in the form of fine, free-

flowing powder or beads. Unlike cast solids or flakes, they can be mixed
into formulations directly. They are also easier to dissolve, and there is less
dusting when drums are emptied, etc.

The Lutensol AT types are effective emulsifiers for substances such as

paraffin wax or other waxes. They perform well alone or in combination with
Emulan and other Lutensol types.
TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page  of 10 Lutensol AT types

The Lutensol AT types also perform well as wetting agents, and they have
high wetting power in water and polar solvents.

Because they are nonionic, the Lutensol AT types can be combined with
anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants and auxiliaries. They are fully com-
patible with alkylaryl sulphonates (Lutensit A-LB types), ether sulphates
and other sulphated and sulphonated products. This enables synergistic
effects and very high levels of performance to be obtained. They are also
compatible with Lutensit TC-KLC 50 (a cationic product consisting of
dimethyl-N-alkylbenzylammonium chloride) and with other nonionic sur-
factants such as our Lutensol A N, AO, AP, ON, TO, XL and XP types and
the low-foaming surfactants in our Plurafac LF and Pluronic PE and RPE
ranges. The compatibility of the Lutensol AT types with dyes, protective
colloids, thickeners and other substances with a high molar mass is also
very good.

The Lutensol AT types also have excellent resistance to hard water, and their
dispersing capacity for lime soaps is very high

Lutensol AT 11, Lutensol AT 13 Lutensol AT 11 and Lutensol AT 13 are distinguished by their high wetting
power and high detergency combined with moderate foam formation.
They are a particularly appropriate choice for heavy-duty and light-duty
laundry detergents in powder or liquid form, and for industrial cleaners.
Lutensol AT 11 or Lutensol AT 13 can be used in aqueous cleaners and
in cleaners based on a mixture of water and organic solvents.

Lutensol AT 18 Lutensol AT 18 has high wetting power and high detergency. It is therefore
recommended for use in heavy-duty laundry detergents and in detergents
for delicate goods supplied in powder and liquid form, and in cleaners
for industrial and institutional applications. Lutensol AT 11 can be used in
aqueous formulations and in formulations based on a mixture of water and
organic solvents.

Lutensol AT 18 is employed as an emulsifier for paraffin wax and other

waxes and as a dispersing agent for rubber latex.

Lutensol AT 18 and Lutensol AT 25 are very effective in laundry detergents

for suspending soil combination with nonionic surfactants such as
Lutensol AO 7, TO 7, TO 8, XP 80 and XL 70.

Lutensol AT 25 E Lutensol AT 25 and Lutensol AT 50 are mainly used as surface-active
Lutensol AT 25 Powder binders for solid cleaners and detergents supplied in block form. They are
Lutensol AT 25 Flakes very effective emulsifiers for hydrophobic substances such as fatty acids,
Lutensol AT 50 E ester-type waxes, monomers for emulsion polymerization and polar
Lutensol AT 50 Powder solvents, etc., which normally require surfactants with a high HLB. They
Lutensol AT 50 Flakes can be used to stabilize emulsions and to disperse suspended solids in
water.

Lutensol AT 25 can also be added to laundry detergents in powder form

in order to boost their performance by increasing their nonionic surfactant
content. A further advantage is that the production rate can be increased.

Lutensol AT 25 can be added to commercial rinse aids in order to

encourage the water to drain off and to promote sheeting.

Lutensol AT 25, AT 50 and AT 80 are employed in combination with the

Plurafac LF types as surfactants in 3-in-1 dishwasher detergent tabs to
ensure that surfactants are carried through to the rinse stage.
TI/EMV 1182 e June 2008 Page 10 of 10 Lutensol AT types

Lutensol AT 80 E In spite of their high degree of ethoxylation, Lutensol AT 80 has a very

Lutensol AT 80 Powder low polyglycol content. This makes it an ideal choice for use in coatings
Lutensol AT 80 Flakes applied to enzymes, defoamers in powder form, bleach activators and other
detergent ingredients that are required to unfold their action gradually over
the whole wash.

Safety
We know of no ill effects that could have resulted from using the
Lutensol AT types for the purpose for which they are intended and from
processing them in accordance with current practice.

According to the experience we have gained over many years and other
information at our disposal, the Lutensol AT types do not exert any harm-
ful effects on health, provided that they are used properly, due attention is
given to the precautions necessary for handling chemicals, and the informa-
tion and advice given in our safety data sheets are observed.

Handling All contact with the eyes and prolonged contact with the skin should be
avoided. Safety glasses should be worn when handling these products in
their undiluted form.

Labelling Please refer to the latest Safety Data Sheets for detailed, up-to-date
information on classification, labelling and product safety.

Note
The data contained in this publication are based on our current knowledge
and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect processing
and application of our product, these data do not relieve processors from
carrying out their own investigations and tests; neither do these data imply
any guarantee of certain properties, nor the suitability of the product for
a specific purpose. Any descriptions, drawings, photographs, data, pro-
portions, weights etc. given herein may change without prior information
and do not constitute the agreed contractual quality of the product. It is
the responsibility of the recipient of our products to ensure that any
proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed.

June 2008

BASF SE
Performance Chemicals for
Detergents and Formulators
67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
www.basf.com/detergents-formulators