PEO has a number of highly useful characteristics:

• Completely soluble in water
• Non-ionic homopolymer
• Effective thickener: PEO solutions exhibit high viscosity even at low concentrations
• Its ultrahigh molecular weight and coagulating characteristics enable it to be formed into hard flocks
• Being a thermoplastic resin, it can be readily extruded, calendered and cast with high flexibility and stiffness
• Resistant to biological attack
• Reduces frictional resistance of fluids
• Forms associations with various polar compounds such as urea, as well as acrylic and phenolic resins
• Low toxicity
• PEO provides excellent combustion properties when used as a binder for ceramics and in other applications

Description:
 

• Chemical nomenclature: Polyethylene oxide
• Chemical formula: - (CH2CH2O) -
• Appearance: White Powder
• Softening point: 65°C - 67°C
• Particle size: through filter 1000µm
• Bulk density: 0.3 g/ml
 

Grades:

 

Grades	Approximate	Viscosity range of aqueous solution	Spindle No.
	molecular weight	[mPa·s] at 25°C
PEO-27	6,000,000 - 8,000,000	600-800 (0.5% soln.)	No.2
PEO-18Z	4,300,000 - 4,800,000	250-430 (0.5% soln.)	No.1
PEO-15Z	3,300,000 - 3,800,000	130-250 (0.5% soln.)	No.1
PEO-8Z	1,700,000 - 2,220,000	20-70 (0.5% soln.)	No.1
PEO-4	1,100,000 - 1,500,000	4,000-7,000 (5% soln.)	No.3
PEO-3Z	600,000 - 1,100,000	2,500-5,500 (5% soln.)	No.3
PEO-2	400,000 - 600,000	200-2,500 (5% soln.)	No.1,2
PEO-1Z	150,000 - 400,000	50-200 (5% soln.)	No.1

For Cosmetics	PEO-1P,3P,8P,15P,18P,27P
For Pharmaceuticals	PEO-1NF,3NF,8NF,15NF,18NF,27NF

 

Aqueous solution viscosity vs. Concentration of PEO

 

Solubility in organic solvents

 

Soluble	Soluble under slightly heating	Insoluble
Chloroform	Methanol, Ethanol, Propanol	Hexane, Heptane
1,2-Dichloroethane	Tetrahydrofuran	Diethylether
Acetonitrile	Dimethylformamide	Glycerol
etc.	etc.	etc.

 

Applications:

PAPER:
 

ested grades : PEO-18Z, 27

• Sheet formation aid
• Paper and paper board filler retention aid

Application as a Dispersant

 

Using PEO as a dispersion agent for pulp fibers in paper-making enables the production of paper soft to the touch with uniform quality.
PEO can be used as a pulp dispersant for papermaking. Offering the features listed below, PEO maintains the pliability of pulp to enable the production of high-grade paper with a soft texture.
Features
(1) Excellent pulp dispersion at low concentrations; only a few kilograms or less are required to produce 1 ton of paper.
(2) PEO is nonionic and virtually unaffected by water quality.
(3) PEO shows almost no drop in dispersibility as a result of pH fluctuations, and it can be used to produce

paper in a wide range from 4 to 10.

Application as a Flocculant

When PEO is used together with an accelerator, etc., it exhibits excellent coagulating action, enhancing the retention of papermaking fillers (clay, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, etc.), fine pulp, etc.
Accelerator: Phenolic resin

 

GLASS FIBER:

S ested grades : PEO-1Z, 3Z

When used as a sizing agent for glass fiber, PEO provides advantages such as strong adhesiveness, strong cohesion, and easy sizing removal.
 

 

BUILDING INDUSTRY:

Examples of Application

(1) Slurry Transport--------S ested grades : PEO-18Z, 27

PEO is extremely effective in reducing the frictional resistance of fluids flowing through pipes, etc. When transporting various types of slurry through pipes, the addition of PEO ensures smoother, faster flow. There is no adherence of the slurry to pipe walls, making transport much easier. For example, when transporting sand by pipe for coastal land reclamation or other construction work, using PEO can markedly shorten the construction time.

(2) Board extrusion--------S ested grades : PEO-1Z, 2, 3Z, 4, 8Z

When extrusion molding cement-based building materials, using a combination of PEO and MC (methylcellulose), HEC (hydroxyethylcellulose), or another binder increases the lubricity of the cement particles, providing more uniformly shaped moldings at a lower molding pressure. In this application, just a very small quantity of PEO is very effective.

(3) Polymer cement--------S ested grades : PEO-1Z, 2, 3Z, 4, 8Z, 15Z

The addition of PEO to polymer cement provides lubricity for a smoother surface and easier trowel work.
When used for a floor surface, PEO's natural self-leveling action makes it much easier to achieve a level finished surface.

(4) Painting--------S ested grades : PEO-1Z, 2, 3Z, 4, 8Z

PEO can be used as a thickener for emulsion paints. The use of PEO stabilizes the thickening properties of the emulsion for easier brush application and a smoother finished surface.

 

CERAMICS

S ested grades : PEO-1Z, 2, 3Z

When used as a binder for ceramics, PEO improves the lubricity of the ceramic material for easier mold release. Moreover, because PEO has a high intramolecular oxygen content, it also provides easier burnout with no carbonization during combustion. It is used together with other binders in order to enhance adhesive strength.

Examples of Applications

(1) Extrusion Forming
When carrying out extrusion forming using a formulation containing methylcellulose (MC) as the main component, there may be excessive heat generated by friction with the extruding machine's screw and die head, resulting in poor shape uniformity. A combination of PEO and crystalline cellulose (CC) ensures a more uniform shape.

(2) Dry Press Molding
Selection of an appropriate binder for dry press molding is very important to obtain a uniform shape. Compared to using MC alone, a combination of MC and PEO increases the lubricity of the raw material, providing more uniformly shaped moldings.

(3) Injection Molding
Because PEO is a water-soluble thermoplastic resin, it can be used as a binder for injection molding. Just as with extrusion forming, PEO increases lubricity, reducing the heat generated by friction with the screw and die head.
 

ADHESIVES:

S ested grades : PEO-1Z, 2, 3Z, 4

Examples of Application

Pickup and ending adhesive for paper rolls

PEO can be used as an adhesive for the end of toilet paper rolls and other types of rolled paper. PEO provides just the right amount of adhesive strength and makes separation easy.
 

MINING:

S ested grades : PEO-18Z, 27

Examples of Application

(1) Clay mining

PEO is an extremely effective flocculant for clay. When separating the clay after extracting specific components from the mine, the addition of PEO promotes sedimentation of the clay.

(2) Coal mining

Clay Sedimentation
left: Dispersed right: After adding PEO
PEO is effective in promoting rapid sedimentation of suspended coal, such as in wastewater from coal cleaning, and it can also be used for mine flocculation.

POLYMER INDUSTRIES:

S ested grades : PEO-18Z, 27

Examples of Application

Additive for polymerization reactions

The use of PEO as an additive for polymerization reactions inhibits foaming and promotes stable polymerization.
When used as an additive for polymerization reactions, PEO acts as a protective colloid and a foam inhibitor.
PEO can be used for the production of such polymers as vinyl chloride, ABS, etc.
 

COSMETICS:

S ested grades : PEO-1P, 3P, 8P, 15P, 18P, 27P

PEO can be used as a thickener or lubricant for various types of cosmetics, toothpaste, etc. PEO is highly safe, and because it is nonionic, it is gentle to the skin. For application in cosmetic products, PEO can be used in the form of highly polymerized polyethylene glycol.

* Should be used in strict compliance with the local laws and regulations of each country.

Examples of Application

(1) Hair Care Products
(2) Skin Care Products (Skin cream, shaving cream)
(3) Toothpaste, etc.

ELECTRONICS:

Examples of Application

(1) Binder for batteries -------- S ested grades : PEO-15Z, 18Z, 27

PEO can be used as a binder to affix the active material to electrodes. It makes the work much easier and enables a uniform adhesion film to be obtained. PEO is suitable for many types of batteries, including lithium, Ni-Cd, and Ni-H batteries.
(2) Fluorescent lamps -------- S ested grades : PEO-1Z, 2, 3Z, 4

PEO can be used as binder for applying water-based fluorescent material to the inner surfaces of fluorescent lamps. By using PEO, the work is much easier and it is possible to obtain a uniform fluorescent film.

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