SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)

What is SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)?

Molecular Formula (SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)); CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂(OCH₂CH₂)nOSO₃Na

Molecular Weight; 496,699 g/mol

Chemical Name; Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate

CAS Number; 68585-34-2

It is generally defined as a surfactant. SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), due to its chemical properties, causes the manufactured product to foam.

SLES and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) show similar properties. However, SLS is more irritating than SLES. For this reason, SLES was developed.

It is an anionic surfactant. These types of surfactants lower the surface tension of water. Therefore, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate reduces the amount of work required to create foam and increases the stability of the bubbles within it.

They are organic molecules with a water-hating end (hydrophobic) and a water-loving end (hydrophilic).

SLES can be derived from coconut oil.

It is a chemical that is used very intensively in the manufacture of detergents and detergent derivatives.

The full name of SLES is Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate.

It is a water-soluble chemical.

Other Names for SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are as Follows;

• Sodium POE(2) Lauryl Ether Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl Diethylene Glycol Lauryl Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
• 2-(2-dodecyloxyethoxy) Ethyl Sodium Sulfate
• Diethylene Glycol Monododecyl Ether Sulfate Sodium Salt
• Lauryl Diethylene Glycol Ether Sulfonate Sodium
• Sodium Dioxyethylenedodecyl Ether Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl Alcohol Diglycol Ether Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryloxyethoxyethyl Sulfate
• Sodium Laurylglycolether Sulfate

It is commercially sold in 30% and 70% concentrations. The manufacturer can supply low or high concentration products depending on the field of application.

What are its Physical and Chemical Properties?

SLES is a chemical with varying viscosity depending on its concentration in solution. It has a liquid and semi-fluid consistency. In winter months, its viscosity increases further due to the ambient temperature. That is, its fluidity decreases. It is light yellow and has a liquid consistency.

Melting point is -2 °C.

The boiling point of Sodium Laureth Sulfate is 100 °C.

Interestingly, it boils at the same temperature as water. But its melting point varies depending on its concentration in the solution.

Flash point is 94 °C.

It is stable under normal conditions.

When evaluated as acidic or basic, it is a basic chemical.

Its density is 1.03 gr/cm3.

In terms of solubility, it has very good solubility in water. It is soluble in Ethyl Alcohol and Methyl Alcohol.

It is a more viscous liquid than water.

The 70% concentration form of Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) has a pH range of 6.5-8.5.

Working with this chemical is somewhat difficult in winter. SLES solidifies due to low air temperatures. To prevent this, storing it in a room-temperature area will bring it to a semi-fluid form.

What are the Effects on Human Health?

It is a chemical that causes corrosion upon contact with the human body. For this reason, SLES can cause very serious irritation if it comes into contact with the skin and eyes.

The effects of SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) on the human body vary depending on its concentration in the solution. As the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the solution increases, its effect on the human body also increases proportionally.

In case of contact with your body, first wash with plenty of water. If any resulting discomfort does not subside, medical attention should be sought.

It is a chemical that should absolutely not be ingested. If it enters the human body, it can irritate internal organs and impair their functionality.

How is it Stored?

It is stored in original 240 kg drums or IBC tanks. It should be kept in dry environments away from sunlight. It must be kept away from heat. It should be kept away from water except during use.

Differences Between SLES and SLS

The chemical name of the SLS compound is sodium lauryl sulfate. This chemical is used in daily life in liquid soaps, shaving foams, and toothpastes to create foam and provide cleaning.

SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) has negative effects on skin proteins. This results in the skin drying out and damages the outer layer of the skin. Therefore, people with sensitive skin should not use cleaning products containing SLS. Additionally, shampoos containing this anionic substance can cause hair to weaken.

SLES is produced by the ethoxylation of the SLS compound. SLES does not strip excess moisture from your skin; on the contrary, it softens your skin.

How Does SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) Work?

This chemical is very effective for removing dirt, clay, and some oily stains. One of its greatest features is that it must be ionized before working with anionic surfactants. They dissolve in water and dissociate into ions, thereby acquiring a negative charge.

Positively charged particles like clay, dirt, and oil easily bind to these negatively charged particles.

Anionic surfactants have a greater foaming ability compared to other surfactants.

Some Anionic Surfactants are as Follows;

• SLES
• Sulfonic Acid Salts
• Alcohol Sulfates
• Carboxylic Acid Salts
• Phosphoric Acid Esters

What are the Usage Areas of SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)?

• It is used as a surfactant that provides cleaning properties in detergent production. Its hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties are beneficial in detergents. When SLES is used in the manufacturing process, polar water molecules are repelled by non-polar hydrocarbon molecules. This is defined by its hydrophobic property.
• It is used in the production of detergents and toothpaste.
• To increase car wash foam, SLES can be used together with SLS or Sodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate. Modifying it this way contributes to increased foam.
• SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) is used in the production of industrial cleaning chemicals used in industry.
• In the cosmetics industry, surfactants are used in the production of skin care creams.
• SLES is used to create foam and viscosity in low-pH products and personal care items (like Bubble Bath, shaving cream, ointments, and sometimes toothpastes).
• It is used in the textile printing and dyeing industry.
• In mechanized tunneling operations, it acts as a lubricant and foaming agent.
• SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) is used as a lubricating chemical in the petroleum and leather industries.
• It is used in the manufacturing of hand washing soaps.
• In the production of liquid carpet shampoos, its form used with compounds like Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate and Sodium Metasilicate is prominently Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
• It is used with purified water, EDTA, and calcium chloride to make bubble toy foam. The amount of SLES and purified water are used in equal proportions.
• Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is used to create foam in the carpet industry.
• Its derivative used as an anionic surfactant in toothpaste production is SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate).
• Pesticides are very harmful chemicals for nature. For this reason, work is being done on the production of pesticides that are less harmful to nature. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used in the production of pesticides with low environmental impact.
• It is used as an anionic surfactant to foam the latex material in the production of synthetic carpet underlay.

What are the Factors Affecting SLES Prices?

The increase in human population and industrial production has also increased the use of SLES. Consequently, when the demand for SLES cannot be met, the prices of this raw material increase.

The most important factor in the price of SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) is the price of oil. As oil prices increase, the price of the product rises.