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Span-65
Jienuo
Span-65, chemically named Sorbitan Tristearate with CAS No. 1338-43-8, is a lipophilic non-ionic surfactant. It typically appears as a pale yellow to tan waxy solid with a slight fatty odor, insoluble in water but dispersible in hot oils and organic solvents like ethanol.
With an HLB value of ~2.1, it excels as a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier, ensuring stable emulsion formation. Its key functions include emulsifying, thickening, and stabilizing, widely used in food (e.g., whipped cream, pastries), cosmetics (creams, lipsticks), pharmaceuticals (ointments), and industry (coatings, pesticides) to enhance product texture, shelf life, and performance.
Product Advantage
1. Superior W/O Emulsification Efficiency
With an HLB value of exactly 2.1, Span-65 delivers exceptional water-in-oil emulsifying performance. It can stabilize emulsions at a low addition level of 0.5-2.0% (by weight) in formulations, reducing raw material costs while ensuring no phase separation for over 12 months in sealed storage—verified by 500+ stability tests across food, cosmetic, and industrial scenarios.
2. Excellent Thermal & Chemical Stability
Span-65 maintains stable performance in a wide temperature range of -10℃ to 120℃, with no decomposition or property degradation. It also resists hydrolysis in pH 3.0-10.0 environments, outperforming similar surfactants (e.g., Span-60) which lose efficacy below pH 4.0. This makes it suitable for high-temperature processing (e.g., bakery production) and acidic/alkaline formulations.
3. Broad Compatibility with Raw Materials
It exhibits strong compatibility with 90%+ common ingredients, including vegetable oils, mineral oils, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and cosmetic actives (e.g., hyaluronic acid, vitamin E). No adverse reactions (e.g., clumping, discoloration) were observed in compatibility tests with 80+ industry-standard raw materials, simplifying formulation development.
4. Food-Grade Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Certified by FDA (21 CFR 172.842), EU EC No. 1333/2008, and China GB 2760 standards, Span-65 has a LD50 (oral, rat) > 10,000 mg/kg, classified as "practically non-toxic". It contains < 0.1% heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd) and < 0.5% free fatty acids, meeting the strictest safety requirements for food (e.g., whipped cream) and baby cosmetic applications.
5. Enhanced Formulation Functionality
Beyond emulsification, it acts as a thickener to increase product viscosity by 20-30% in cream formulations, and as an anti-aging agent to extend the shelf life of pastries by 3-5 days (tested in a 25℃/60% RH storage environment). Its wax-like texture also improves the spreadability of cosmetics and the adhesion of pesticide formulations to plant surfaces.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Specification |
| Appearance | Yellow to brown waxy solid |
| Molecular Weight | 963.56 g/mol (±5 g/mol) |
| HLB Value | 2.1 |
| Acid Value | ≤ 15 mg KOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 170~190 mg KOH/g |
| Water Content | ≤ 1.5% |
Hydroxyl Value | 60~80 mg KOH/g |
| Melting point | 50~60℃ |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, ether, and oils；insoluble in water |
Product Uses
1. Food Industry:
◦ As an emulsifier, it is used in products such as margarine and ice cream, which can improve product texture, enhance stability and shape retention;
◦ In bread and pastry production, it is used as an anti-aging agent to extend product shelf life;
◦ In chocolate products, it can prevent oil crystallization and improve taste.
2. Cosmetics and Personal Care Industry:
◦ Used in creams, lipsticks, etc., as a consistency regulator and emulsification stabilizer;
◦ Added to hair care products, it can enhance the softness and luster of hair;
◦ Used in sunscreen products, it helps improve the dispersibility and stability of sunscreen agents.
3. Pharmaceutical Industry:
◦ As an emulsifier and thickener in pharmaceutical preparations, used in ointments, creams, etc.;
◦ In some oral preparations, it is used as an excipient to improve the dispersibility and absorption of drugs.
4. Industrial Field:
◦ As a dispersant in paint and ink production, to improve the dispersion stability of pigments;
◦ Used in metal processing fluids, it serves as a lubricant and rust inhibitor;
◦ In pesticide preparations, it is used as an emulsifier to enhance the stability and adhesion of the drug.
Product Operate Guide
Preheat Span-65 to 60-70℃ until melted (avoid overheating >120℃). Add 0.5-2.0% (by formulation weight) to oil phase, stir 5-10 mins to dissolve. Mix with water phase (if needed) at 55-65℃, stir 15-20 mins for stable emulsion. Post-use, seal leftover in dry, cool (15-25℃) place. Avoid contact with eyes; rinse with water if exposed.
FAQ
1、Q: Why does the melting point of received Span-65 slightly differ from the typical 50-60℃ in specs?
2、Q: Can Span-60 replace Span-65 in W/O emulsion formulations?
A: No. Span-60 (HLB 4.7) is less lipophilic than Span-65 (HLB 2.1). Replacing it may cause phase separation, especially in high-oil formulations like heavy creams or industrial coatings.
3、Q: How does exceeding storage temperature (15-25℃) affect Span-65?
A: Prolonged storage above 30℃ may soften the wax, but won’t degrade its chemical properties. Cool to room temp, stir gently—if purity and acid value remain within specs, it’s still usable.
4、Q: Is Span-65 safe for high-temperature food processing (e.g., baking at 180℃)?
A: Yes. It resists decomposition below 120℃ (per thermal stability data). For baking, add it to oil phases first—its saponification value (175-195 mg KOH/g) stays stable during short-term high-heat exposure.
5、Q: Why is free fatty acid (≤0.5%) a key indicator?
