The numbers that are often included in the names of
PEGs indicate their average molecular weights, e.g. a PEG with n=9 would have
an average molecular weight of approximately 400 and would be labeled PEG 400.
Most PEGs include molecules with a distribution of molecular weights, i.e. they
are polydisperse. PEGs are soluble in water, methanol, benzene, dichloromethane
and is insoluble in diethyl ether and hexane. Polyethylene glycols are
non-toxic, odorless, neutral, lubricating, nonvolatile and nonirritating and
are used in a variety of industrial applications such as adhesives, ceramic,
pulp and paper, metalworking, lubricants, agrochemicals, detergents and
cleaners.
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Polyethylene glycols are
used in ceramic industry as carrier, binder and plasticizer. They are
distributed easily in ceramic mixture to provide excellent lubrication and
increase the strength. Due to Polyethylene glycols are non-toxic, there is no
problem during firing operations.
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Polyethylene Glycols are
used as plasticizers to increase the lubrications and as humectants in
adhesives to maintain wet-track strength. Water soluble Polyethylene glycols
are used in aqueous emulsions of PVA to produce water resistant adhesives.
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Polyethylene glycols
could be used in polishes, soaps and detergents due to water solubility and
inactivity toward other ingredients. The low-toxicity of them is a great
advantage. They could also be used as viscosity modifiers in detergent
formulations.
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Polyethylene glycols are
water soluble and good solubilizes for naturally derived insecticides. Actually
they are carriers for plant hormones and herbicides. They are also used as an
excipient in pesticide and insecticide formulations. Polyethylene glycols are
humectants and so they are used as anti-dusting agents in formulations.
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Polyethylene glycols are
rolling agents in metalworking. They are also used in the formulations of
cutting fluids, grinding fluids and in polishing compounds. Soldering fluids
which are formulated using Polyethylene glycols speared easily on the surfaces
also washed easily, so there is no residue after charring.
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Polyethylene glycols are
water soluble and low volatile. So they are used extensively in lubricants in
metal working, plastic and rubber and textile industry.
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Polyethylene glycols are
used in the formulation of polyester resins and alkyd resins to improve the
water dispersibilty in these resins. Polyethylene glycols are also used in the
formulation of coatings which are water removable.
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Polyethylene glycols are
used as humectants, solvent. Lubricant, and dye carrier in ink formulations.
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Polyethylene glycols are
used as lubricant and mold release agent in synthetic and natural rubbers.
After usage they can be easily removed from the surfaces by water.
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Liquid polyethylene glycols
are used as softeners in papers. They also used to impart flexibility and slip
characters, and also preventing from swelling in humid weather. Solid polyethylene
glycols are added as ingredients in paper coating compositions to prepare gloss
and smoothness in paper. Polyethylene glycols are also used as stabilizers and
plasticizers in paper industry.
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Polyethylene glycols are
lubricants, antistatic agent and softener in textiles. Most of the time esters
of polyethylene glycols are used as finishing aids and processing aids in
weaving, spinning and knitting of fibers and yards.
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Polyethylene glycols are
used for dimensional stabilization of wood without shrinking, cracking and
drying. Soaking of woods in polyethylene glycol solutions can facilitate
cutting and wood working operations.