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