AEO Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates Manufacturer for Industrial Formulations
AEO-3 to AEO-23 nonionic surfactants for grade screening by EO number, cloud point, solubility and application.
Which AEO Grade Should You Choose?
Definition: AEO grades are nonionic fatty-alcohol ethoxylates whose average ethylene-oxide (EO) number controls water affinity, physical form and cloud-point behaviour. Use the EO number to shortlist a grade, then confirm cloud point, solubility and performance in the complete formulation.
| Selection need | Starting grade group | Why it fits | Validate before scale-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil-soluble emulsification or AES feedstock | AEO-3 to AEO-5 | Lower EO content gives greater oil affinity | Required HLB, oil phase and conversion specification |
| Wetting, detergency or textile scouring | AEO-7 to AEO-9 | Higher water compatibility and useful aqueous cloud-point range | Temperature, electrolyte level, hardness and foam |
| High-EO emulsification or solid-form applications | AEO-15 to AEO-23 | Higher EO content increases hydrophilicity and changes physical form | Dissolution method, cloud-point test medium and final viscosity |
Data basis and limits: Grade groupings and typical ranges are derived from the current Kemaix series specification reviewed 13 August 2026; they are not batch-release limits. Confirm the grade-specific TDS, SDS and COA. Cloud point depends on the stated method and test medium; ISO 1065:1991 describes methods for ethoxylated nonionic surfactants. Regulatory identity must be checked against the exact alcohol chain distribution and EO range; the ECHA Alcohol Ethoxylate substance record illustrates why a family name alone is insufficient.
What to confirm before ordering AEO Series
- Alcohol-chain distribution and EO level
- Cloud-point test method and medium
- Wetting, foam and electrolyte conditions
Request the current grade-specific TDS and SDS before selection, and available batch COA information during supplier qualification. Published series values are screening references; specification limits, test conditions and supply availability must be confirmed for the selected grade. Sample quantity, cost, courier responsibility and dispatch timing are confirmed before shipment.
For a useful quotation: send the grade or target properties, application, quantity, destination and required documents.
Request grade documents & quotationEvidence note: Capacity is a Kemaix company-reported operating metric, reviewed 13 August 2026. APEO-free status and other grade-specific claims must be confirmed from the current specification or declaration. Sample availability and standard lead time are service targets and must be confirmed in the written quotation.
AEO Grade Selection by EO Level and Formulation Conditions
AEO is made by condensing C12–C14 fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide. Average EO number helps shortlist candidates, but exact alcohol-chain distribution, formulation composition and test conditions must also be checked before selection.
Low-EO grades (AEO-3 to AEO-5) are oil-soluble W/O emulsifiers and AES feedstock. High-EO grades (AEO-7 and above) are water-soluble workhorses for detergency, wetting and scouring. Treat these grade groups as screening references, then compare current exact-grade documents and formulation-trial results.
- CAS Number68439-50-9
- INCI NameLaureth-3 / Laureth-7 / Laureth-9
- Ionic TypeNonionic
- GradesAEO-3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 15, 20, 23
- DocumentationRequest the grade-specific APEO-free declaration and regulatory identity
AEO Series Technical Specifications
| Grade | Appearance (25°C) | Color (Pt-Co) | Cloud Point (°C, 1% aq.) | Hydroxyl Value (mgKOH/g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEO-3 | Colorless transparent liquid | ≤ 20 | — | 170–180 |
| AEO-4 | Colorless transparent liquid | ≤ 20 | — | 150–160 |
| AEO-5 | Colorless transparent liquid | ≤ 20 | — | 130–140 |
| AEO-7 | Colorless transparent liquid | ≤ 20 | 50–60 | — |
| AEO-9 | Milky white paste | ≤ 20 | 75–85 | — |
| AEO-15 | Milky white paste | ≤ 20 | 80–88* | — |
| AEO-20 | Milky white solid | ≤ 20 | 89–93* | — |
| AEO-23 | Milky white solid | ≤ 20 | > 100 | — |
*Confirm the test method, concentration and medium for each quoted cloud-point value, especially the starred higher-EO grades. Do not compare values measured under different conditions as equivalent. Custom-grade projects require specification and production-feasibility review.
Grade-selection guide: Compare AEO-7 and AEO-9 by HLB, cloud point and industrial-cleaning performance.
Where Each Grade Group Belongs
AEO-3 / 4 / 5
Oil-soluble with good emulsifying performance. Used in W/O emulsification, textile auxiliaries, silicone and hydrocarbon emulsions, and as raw material for AES production.
AEO-7 / 9
Candidate grades for wetting, detergency, textile scouring and agrochemical-formulation screening. Validate cloud point, electrolyte tolerance, hardness and foam in the complete formulation.
AEO-15 / 20 / 23
Candidate grades for high-HLB emulsification, detergency and solubilising. Confirm dissolution procedure, process temperature, test medium and finished-formulation performance.
NP-10 / NPE replacement screening
Fatty-alcohol ethoxylates are common candidates when replacing alkylphenol ethoxylates. Confirm the grade-specific APEO-free declaration, then compare HLB, cloud point, wetting, detergency and formulation compatibility.
Selection & Handling Notes
⚠ Match cloud point to process temperature
Do not assume that a cloud-point value predicts the best cleaning temperature or low-foam performance. Test wetting, detergency, phase behaviour and foam across the intended temperature range in the complete formulation.
⚠ Check more than the EO number
Confirm the EO number, alcohol-chain distribution, active content and test method. A family name or EO number alone does not establish equivalent performance across grades or suppliers.
⚠ Check electrolyte effects in the formula
Do not transfer a water-only cloud-point result directly to a formulation containing salts or builders. Confirm phase behaviour at the actual ingredient levels and dilution conditions.
⚠ Check hard-water tolerance
Nonionics tolerate hardness better than anionics, but verify at your dilution water hardness before scale-up.
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
Packaging: Confirm packaging for the selected grade, physical form, quantity and destination. Check transport classification and handling requirements in the current grade-specific SDS and shipping documents.
Storage: Cool, dry and well-ventilated conditions with containers kept closed. Confirm shelf life, storage temperature and retest requirements in the current grade-specific supplier documents.
Shipping: FOB, CIF and CFR as FCL or LCL via Shanghai Port, with TDS, SDS and COA available for customs and customer regulatory review. Confirm REACH registration, Only Representative coverage and intended-use applicability for the specific grade and destination market.
AEO and Formulation Guides
Alcohol Ethoxylate Selection Guide
Choose alcohol ethoxylates by EO number, HLB, cloud point and process conditions.
Gentle Surfactants for Personal Care
Compare sulfate-free surfactant options for mild cleansing, foam quality and formulation compatibility.
End-Capped Alcohol Ethoxylates
Understand how end capping changes gel formation, foam and concentrated-formula handling.
Isomeric Alcohol Ethoxylates
Compare AEO candidates for industrial wetting and cleaning, then verify grade-specific APEO-free status from current documentation.
Choosing Surfactants for Detergents
Match nonionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants to detergency, foam and compatibility targets.
Major Detergent Surfactants
Compare the technical roles of common detergent surfactant families.
AEO in Construction Chemicals
Review wetting, dispersion and coating applications for construction-chemical systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AEO-7 and AEO-9?
Both are fatty alcohol ethoxylates with different average EO numbers. AEO-7 is a common starting candidate for wetting and degreasing, while AEO-9 offers higher water compatibility and a higher typical cloud-point range. Compare current specifications and test both candidates in the complete formulation.
What is the CAS number of Kemaix AEO?
The exact CAS identity can vary with alcohol-chain distribution and EO range. Request the current grade-specific TDS, SDS and regulatory identity before approval.
Are Kemaix AEO surfactants APEO-free?
AEO chemistry is based on fatty alcohols rather than alkylphenols. Do not apply one declaration to the entire series. Request the current grade-specific APEO-free declaration and confirm its scope before using an AEO grade in an NPE-replacement project.
Which AEO grade replaces NP-10 in a degreaser?
AEO-9 is a common screening candidate, but replacement is not one-to-one. Compare HLB, cloud point, heavy-oil emulsification, rinsing, foam and electrolyte tolerance in the finished degreaser before qualification.
Can you supply custom EO mole numbers?
Kemaix can assess projects involving intermediate EO numbers, carbon-chain selection, target cloud point or target HLB. Feasibility depends on chemistry, specification, application, quantity and production requirements. The confirmed project scope is provided in writing.
Can I request an AEO evaluation sample?
Evaluation samples depend on the selected grade, current availability and destination. Confirm quantity, sample cost, courier responsibility, required documents and dispatch timing before shipment.
Need a Specific Cloud Point or EO Mole Number?
Send your application, process conditions, target properties, expected quantity, destination and document requirements. Kemaix will review available grades and confirm project feasibility, applicable documents, sample terms, packaging options and quotation criteria.