Libraphos Range: Phosphate Esters

The Libraphos range is a series of phosphate esters; typically, 100% active anionic surfactants, suitable for use in a wide range of applicants and industries including metal working, textiles, detergents, and agriculture. They have properties that lie between ethoxylated non-ionics and sulphated surfactants. They have good compatibility with inorganic builders, good emulsifying properties and a foaming capacity between low foaming non-ionics and high foaming ether sulphates.

Phosphate Esters are typically based on alcohols of aromatic or alcohol ethoxylates. They are manufactured by either a polyphosphoric acid route for which the major product is mono esters or by the much more common phosphorous pentoxide route, where the major product are a di-esters. Phosphate Esters can be neutralised, usually to make potassium salts, which are soluble in water.

They are resistant to hydrolysis by hot alkalis and are also stable in acid solution at high temperatures. Phosphate esters have been widely used in emulsion polymerisation, and metal finishing and over many years in the Textile Industry as lubricants, emulsifiers, wetting agents and as dye bath additives. They can be used in detergents for the solubilisation of non-ionics in high concentrations of electrolyte and in agriculture they are used as emulsifying agents and dispersing agents in herbicides.

Why Libra?

Boasting a broad variety of performance functions, products from our Libraphos range are designed to give specific properties, depending on the hydrophobe, phosphation agent and molar ratios used. These properties determine the selection of Libraphos products for use, for example, in hydrotropes, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants and antistatics.

Applications of our Libraphos range: