Span 80 e Tween 80: cálculo de HLB e seleção de emulsões
Span 80 vs Tween 80: the short answer
Span 80 has an HLB of about 4.3 and is oil-soluble, so it is commonly used in water-in-oil systems. Tween 80 has an HLB of about 15.0 and is water-dispersible, so it is commonly used in oil-in-water systems. Blending them lets a formulator match the required HLB of an oil phase.
Tween 80 (%) = (target HLB − 4.3) ÷ (15.0 − 4.3) × 100. The remainder is Span 80. Treat the result as a laboratory starting point, then verify stability at the formulation’s actual concentration, temperature, pH and shear.
Span 80 and Tween 80 comparison
| Property | Span 80 | Tween 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical family | Sorbitan monooleate | Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate |
| Typical HLB | 4.3 | 15.0 |
| Affinity | More lipophilic; oil-soluble | More hydrophilic; water-dispersible |
| Typical role | W/O emulsifier or low-HLB blend component | O/W emulsifier, solubilizer or high-HLB blend component |
| Kemaix product data | Span series | Tween series |
Span 80 / Tween 80 HLB calculator
Enter a target between 4.3 and 15.0. Results are weight percentages of the surfactant blend, not percentages of the finished formulation.
For HLB 10.5: 57.9% Tween 80 + 42.1% Span 80.
Worked blend examples
| Target HLB | Tween 80 | Span 80 | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | 34.6% | 65.4% | Lower-HLB starting blend |
| 10.5 | 57.9% | 42.1% | Worked mineral-oil example; confirm the actual oil’s required HLB |
| 12.0 | 72.0% | 28.0% | Higher-HLB starting blend |
Required-HLB values vary with oil identity, supplier, composition and test method. Run an HLB ladder around the calculated point and test accelerated, freeze–thaw and process-temperature stability before scale-up.
Data basis, sources and when the formula is not enough
The 4.3 and 15.0 HLB values are typical reference values used for blend screening. The percentages are an arithmetic split within the surfactant blend; they are not the total surfactant dosage and do not predict shelf life. Confirm identity and batch properties from the current Span 80 and Tween 80 TDS/COA, then run an HLB ladder around the calculated point.
For food or other regulated uses, verify the exact substance and current market requirements. Official references include the WHO JECFA sorbitan monooleate record and the FAO/JECFA Polysorbate 80 specification record. These records do not approve a particular Kemaix grade or finished emulsion.
Technical review: Grace Dou · Last reviewed 13 August 2026.
Span 80 and Tween 80 FAQ
Can Span 80 and Tween 80 guarantee a stable emulsion?
No. The HLB calculation selects a rational starting ratio, but stability also depends on total emulsifier level, oil composition, temperature, pH, electrolytes, droplet size and processing shear.
Is the calculator result a percentage of the finished formula?
No. It is the percentage split within the Span 80/Tween 80 surfactant blend. The total surfactant dosage must be established separately by formulation trials.
What if the target HLB is outside 4.3–15.0?
This pair cannot mathematically reach a value outside that range. Select a different low- or high-HLB emulsifier, or use a broader surfactant system.
Where can I get grade-specific specifications?
Review the Span and Tween product pages, then request the current TDS and batch COA.
Record your HLB screening conditions
Use the calculator above to select a starting blend. Keep a separate record for each trial so changes in blend ratio are not confused with changes in process conditions.
- Oil phase: supplier grade, composition and batch.
- Surfactants: exact grades, blend mass fractions and total emulsifier concentration in the finished formula.
- Process: water quality, pH, addition order, mixing input, heating and cooling conditions.
- Evaluation: intended emulsion type, observation times, storage conditions and acceptance criteria.
A calculated ratio is a screening starting point. Confirm the complete emulsion under its intended process and storage conditions before scale-up.
Required HLB (RHLB) for Industrial Oils
| Oil-phase evaluation | Record before screening |
|---|---|
| Exact oil identity | Supplier grade, composition and relevant batch information |
| Candidate HLB ladder | Assumed starting points and tested blend mass fractions |
| Total surfactant dosage | Defined concentration independent of blend ratio |
| Approval criteria | Emulsion type, droplet response, separation and storage/process stability |
Beyond Algebra: Temperature and the PIT Effect
While the Span 80 and Tween 80 HLB guide provides a reliable theoretical starting point, industrial formulators must account for temperature fluctuations. For non-ionic surfactants, the hydrophilic nature of the polyoxyethylene chains in Tween 80 decreases as temperature rises.
The PIT is the temperature at which an O/W emulsion inverts into a W/O emulsion. If your industrial mixing process involves high-shear heating, your calculated HLB may shift. A temperature margin can be included as a laboratory screening rule, but the required margin is formulation-specific. Measure phase behaviour and stability across the actual process and storage range.
Request exact-grade specifications and available batch COA information. Compare phase behavior, foam, droplet-size response and emulsion stability across the intended process and storage conditions before approving scale-up.
The Role of Batch Consistency in Emulsion R&D
A pilot-scale result can differ because of raw-material properties, addition order, mixing input, phase ratio or heating and cooling conditions. Record these variables before attributing a failure to batch variation.
This article does not establish a universal numerical HLB variation between batches. Compare current specification limits, relevant batch results and finished-emulsion performance using a defined procedure.
- Controlled Esterification: Review the current Span 80 specification and applicable batch COA, then confirm blend performance in the finished emulsion.
- Batch properties: Review the relevant acid, hydroxyl and other specified values as applicable to the exact grade. These values alone do not determine the oil phase required HLB.
- Moisture and storage: Confirm specified moisture, storage conditions and emulsion behavior after relevant storage exposure.
Plan a Span/Tween Emulsion Evaluation
Struggling with stability? The technical team can help define an initial Span/Tween HLB blend for laboratory screening; the final ratio requires complete-emulsion testing.
Get a Custom Formulation Consultation