Leading Certified AEO Series Manufacturer in China | Kemaix
Industrial-grade nonionic surfactants with customizable EO moles (AEO 3-20) for superior emulsification
One Chemistry, Eight Grades, Two Completely Different Jobs
AEO is made by condensing C12–C14 fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide. The number of EO moles decides everything that follows — solubility, cloud point, and whether the grade emulsifies oil into water or water into oil.
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. Picking the wrong end of the range is the most common formulation mistake we see.
- CAS Number68439-50-9
- INCI NameLaureth-3 / Laureth-7 / Laureth-9
- Ionic TypeNonionic
- GradesAEO-3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 15, 20, 23
- ComplianceAPEO-free — NP-10 / NPE replacement
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 | — |
*Cloud point measured under standard conditions. Custom EO moles and carbon chain lengths available on request.
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
Water-soluble with excellent cleaning, wetting and emulsifying properties. The standard choice for liquid detergents, textile processing and agrochemical formulations.
AEO-15 / 20 / 23
Suitable for industrial emulsification, detergents and solubilizing. AEO-20 performs well in dyeing systems, improving leveling and brightness.
APEO-free replacement
Derived from linear or oxo fatty alcohols rather than alkylphenols, making the series a direct replacement for NP-10 and other nonylphenol ethoxylates.
Selection & Handling Notes
⚠ Match cloud point to process temperature
Detergency and wetting peak at or just below the cloud point. Running well above it drops solubility — useful for low-foam behaviour, damaging if you needed the surfactant in solution.
⚠ EO number changes the job entirely
AEO-3 and AEO-9 are the same chemistry but behave oppositely. Confirm the EO mole number, not just the product family, when specifying.
⚠ Electrolytes lower cloud point
Salts and builders in a full formulation depress cloud point. Test in your actual formula, not in water.
⚠ Check hard-water tolerance
Nonionics tolerate hardness better than anionics, but verify at your dilution water hardness before scale-up.
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
Packaging: 200 kg drums, 1000 kg IBC tanks and bulk. Non-hazardous and suitable for general transportation.
Storage: Cool, dry and well-ventilated conditions with containers kept closed. Shelf life 2 years from date of manufacture.
Shipping: FOB, CIF and CFR as FCL or LCL via Shanghai Port, with TDS, MSDS and COA supplied for customs clearance and REACH filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AEO-7 and AEO-9?
Both are fatty alcohol ethoxylates differing in EO mole number. AEO-7 (cloud point 50–60°C) is a versatile wetting and degreasing agent, while AEO-9 (cloud point 75–85°C) offers higher water solubility and stronger detergency, making it the standard choice for liquid detergents and textile scouring.
What is the CAS number of Kemaix AEO?
The AEO series is based on C12–C14 fatty alcohols and is listed under CAS No. 68439-50-9. The exact CAS can vary with alcohol chain length and EO number, so request the grade-specific TDS and COA for regulatory documentation.
Are Kemaix AEO surfactants APEO-free?
Yes. AEO fatty alcohol ethoxylates are derived from fatty alcohols rather than alkylphenols, so they are APEO-free and widely used as NP-10 and nonylphenol ethoxylate replacements in eco-compliant formulations.
Which AEO grade replaces NP-10 in a degreaser?
AEO-9 is the usual substitute. It matches NP-10 on emulsification of heavy oils while rinsing more cleanly, which reduces filming on cleaned parts and lowers water consumption.
Can you supply custom EO mole numbers?
Yes. As an ethoxylation plant we can synthesise intermediate EO moles and different carbon chain lengths to hit a target cloud point or HLB. Send us your requirement and we will propose a grade.
What free sample size is available?
We supply 200–500 g free samples for laboratory evaluation, shipped by international courier with the corresponding COA.
Need a Specific Cloud Point or EO Mole Number?
Tell us your process temperature, application and volume — we will recommend the AEO grade, send TDS and COA, and arrange a 200–500 g sample for your trials.