Emulsifiability of waxes
Determining the emulsifiability of waxes using the HLB value, method according to DEUREX®
In chemistry, the HLB value (HLB = Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) describes the hydrophilic and lipophilic content of emulsifiable waxes and polymers. The emulsifiability of waxes [HLB method according to DEUREX®] is calculated as follows:
HLB = 20 x (1 – E/M)
E is the molar mass of the a molecule and E is the energy required for emulsification in water. The factor 20 is a scaling factor freely selected by DEUREX®. Background: Lipophilic waxes have an HLB value of 1 to 10, while hydrophilic waxes have a value of over 10. Whereby the maximum and thus the easiest emulsifiability of waxes according to DEUREX® is reached at 20. Non-emulsifiable waxes have mathematically negative HLB values. They are rated with the number “0” according to HLB DEUREX®. This results in a scale from 0 to 20. The classification of emulsifiability:
|
HLB value |
Emulsifiability |
|
0 |
Not emulsifiable. |
|
1 - 4 |
Emulsifiable with good high-pressure technology. |
|
5 - 9 |
Emulsifiable with high pressure technology, milky end products. |
|
10 - 14 |
Emulsifiable with autoclaves, fine particles, milky end products. |
|
15 - 20 |
Easily emulsifiable, finest particle sizes, qualities transparent and color like apple juice. Low production costs. Dose of emulsifiers can be significantly reduced with increasing HLB value. |
|
18 - 20 |
Pressureless emulsification. |