The HLB System
Systematic method for selecting the most effective nonionic emulsifier(s) for any given application
The number, the system, the concept
Presentation Outline
System history HLB definition Emulsion types Three-step surfactant selection method HLB requirement determination System flexibility Summary
History of the HLB System
HLB stands for
Hydrophile
watercompatibility
Lipophile
oilcompatibility
Balance
Ratio
System invented 60 years ago
William C. Griffin Atlas Powder Company
Developed for use with nonionic surfactants
Defining the HLB System
All nonionic surfactants have an HLB Value
the higher the number, the more hydrophilic the lower the number, the more lipophilic
Emulsified oils and emulsion applications have very specific HLB Requirements
Matching HLB requirement with surfactant HLB value yields optimum performance
Determining HLB Values
Molecular weight percent of hydrophilic portion in a given nonionic surfactant, divided by 5
HLB range between 1 and 20
60% hydrophilic
HLB = 60/5 = 12
Hydrophilicgroup MW=600
O H O O O O O O O O O
Hydrophobicgroup MW=400
HLB Values
How can surfactants have such a wide range of HLB values?
HLB values of nonionic surfactants range from 1 to 20.
water-loving end of molecule
oil-loving end of molecule
High HLB (10-20) surfactants have a larger water loving end, and smaller oil-loving end
Low HLB (1-10) surfactants have a larger oil-loving end, and smaller water-loving end
water-loving end of molecule
oil-loving end of molecule
HLB Values And Blending
HLB value for surfactant blend
Weighted average of the HLBs of blended surfactants 50 / 50 blend of HLB 4 and HLB 16 = HLB 10
The HLB requirement of oil blend
Weighted average of the HLB requirements of blend components 50 / 50 blend of Requirement 10 oil and Requirement 14 ester yields Requirement 12 ester
Emulsion Types
Oil-in-water (o/w)
the continuous phase is water dispersed oil droplets med / high HLB requirement
MILK
Water-in-oil (w/o) invert
the continuous phase is oil dispersed water droplets low HLB requirement
HAND CREAM
How to Choose an Emulsifier
Literally thousands of choices for the formulator Usual choice is the favorite Narrow choice and expedite selection using the HLB system Saves time and money Leads to best emulsifiers for the application
The Three Step System
1. HLB requirement of oil 2. Most effective surfactant chemistry 3. Surfactant concentration required to achieve desired stability or rheology
Required HLBs are accurate to 0.5 HLB units
How to Determine a Required HLB
Prepare seven simple emulsions, using the same amount of oil and surfactant concentration an HLB value progression the same amount of water and mixing Observe which emulsion appears to be the most stable The HLB value of the surfactant used in the most stable emulsion is the required HLB for the system
Determining HLB Requirement
HLB 4 6 8 10 12 14 15 Span 80 100% 83% 65% 46% 28% 9% 17% 35% 54% 72% 91% 100% Tween 80
Determine the Required HLB
10
12
14
Useapplicablewaterhardness,pHandtemp.
Determine the Required HLB
HLB 11
HLB 12
HLB 13
Select the Chemistry Determine the Concentration
---Surf A 15%
---Surf B 15% Surf C 15% Surf C 8% Surf C 4%
--All surfactants: HLB = 12
Optimizing Your Emulsion
How Stability of Your Emulsion Is Affected by HLB and Concentration of Emulsifier
10 9 8 7
HLB12 SurfC
Stability
HLB12 SurfA
6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
% Concentration of Emulsifier
Invert Emulsion Experiment
0.5 HLB Unit Accuracy HLB6 HLB5
4%surfactant
9%surfactant
Matching HLB Values to Application Requirements
Surfactant HLB Requirements Compatibilizing Dissimilar Oils Water-in-oil emulsions (Inverts) Wetting Powders into Oils Oil-in-Water Emulsions Detergent Solutions 13 46 79 8 12 13 - 15
Examples of HLB Requirements for O/W Emulsions
Class Vegetable oil family Silicone oils Petroleum oils & waxes Fatty acids and alcohols Resins Required HLB 6 8 - 12 9 - 11 14 - 15 16 - 18
A Personal Experience
Morning
Taking a shortcut 3 hours of work, 100% failure
Afternoon
Utilizing HLB system 1 hour of work, 100% success
HLB System Flexibility The Concept
All components must be added to the oil before the HLB requirement can be determined
Biocide package Anionic emulsifiers Functional additives
HLB System Flexibility The Concept
Surfactant Pivot Pair
Identify the high HLB surfactant and low HLB surfactant Adjust blend ratios to establish stability
Anionic HLB Values
Apparent anionic HLB values When used in combination with nonionics, they function as if
TEA Oleate Sodium Oleate Potassium Oleate Petroleum Sulfonates HLB 12 HLB 18 HLB 20 HLB 4 / 7
HLB & Water Dispersibility Relationships
HLB 14 36 68 8 10 10 13 13+ Dispersibility No dispersibility Poor dispersibility Milky after shake Stable, milky dispersion Translucent to clear Clear solution
Summary
HLB System predicts how oils and surfactants will likely interact Surfactants have HLB values Oils and systems have HLB requirements Matching surfactant HLB value with HLB requirement will yield optimum cost and performance Two opportunities to optimize performance and cost Required HLBs are accurate to 0.5 HLB units
In Conclusion
Many formulators dont think too much about the science behind the HLB System, they just use it because it works.
HLB Book & Kit
Please Wait
We thank you for your patience as we transition to the Q&A portion of this eseminar
