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Kemsurf PWS

Product Category: Anionics

Isopropylamine Dodecyl Benzene Sulphonate (Isopropylamine dodecylbenzenesulfonate)

INCI Name: Isopropylamine Dodecylbenzene Sulphonate

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Kemsurf PWS is an anionic surfactant based on isopropylamine dodecyl benzene sulphonate, derived from a linear high 2‑phenyl alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

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The isopropylamine salt structure provides enhanced solubility in hydrocarbon solvents compared to conventional sodium-based grades, making it particularly suitable for solvent-based formulations, oil-phase systems and fuel-related applications.

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Kemsurf PWS combines high surface activity with strong emulsification and wetting performance, enabling efficient incorporation of water and actives into hydrocarbon systems. It is widely used where multi-phase compatibility, detergency and formulation stability are required across industrial applications.

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Key Features

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  • Enhanced Solubility in Hydrocarbon Systems - The isopropylamine salt form provides superior solubility in hydrocarbon solvents compared to sodium-based equivalents, enabling effective use in solvent-based and oil-phase formulations.

  • Strong Emulsification & Detergency Performance - As a high-active anionic surfactant (~90% surface active matter), Kemsurf PWS delivers excellent emulsification and detergency performance in solvent-based and mixed-phase systems.

  • Versatile Compatibility Across Solvent Systems - Kemsurf PWS is compatible with water, hydrocarbons and a wide range of organic solvents, including ethanol, mineral oil, white spirit and aromatic solvents.

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Applications

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Kemsurf PWS is used across a wide variety of industries where hydrocarbon compatibility, emulsification and detergency performance are required:

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Fuel & Oilfield Applications
- Used to solubilise trace water in fuel oils, improving fuel stability and performance.
- Acts as a dispersant for paraffin wax deposits in crude oil pipelines.
- Suitable for use in oilfield formulations requiring hydrocarbon-soluble surfactants.

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Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning
- Used in solvent-based cleaning formulations for removal of oils, greases and hydrophobic contaminants.
- Suitable for metal cleaning and degreasing systems in industrial applications.
- Effective in dry cleaning formulations and non-aqueous cleaning systems.

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Coatings & Construction Applications
- Functions as a wetting and detergent agent in oil-based paints and coatings.
- Can be used in solvent-based coating formulations to improve substrate wetting.
- Suitable for use in construction chemicals where oil-based or solvent systems are utilised (e.g. release agents, cleaners).

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Emulsion Polymerisation
- Acts as an emulsifier in latex systems, particularly where solvent compatibility or oil-phase incorporation is required.

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Speciality & Formulation Applications
- Functions as a coupling agent to incorporate water into hydrocarbon and detergent systems.
- Used in acid aluminium cleaning formulations.
- Suitable as a general wetting and dispersing agent for oil-based systems.

Specification

Appearance at 25°C

Clear brown liquid free from foreign matter 

SAM % (equivalent weight 385)

90 min

pH (2% aqueous)

3.0 - 6.0

Typical Properties

Composition

Isopropylamine Dodecyl Benzene Sulphonate

Viscosity at 25°C (cP)

2471

Pour point °C

<10

CAS number

84961-74-0

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Specific gravity at 20°C

1.028

Flash point closed cup °C

>150

Odour

Characteristic

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Solubility in water

Slightly soluble

Biodegradability

Readily biodegradable

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