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HLB for a Surfactant
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Surfactant Activity
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1 to 3
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antifoaming agent
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3 to 6
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emulsifier
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7 to 9
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wetting agent
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8 to 13
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emulsifier
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13 to 15
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detergent or emulsifier
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15 to 18
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solubilizing agent or emulsifier
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18 to 20
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solubilizing agent
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Final Mixture HLB and Volume Known
Parameters:
(1) HLB for final mixture
(2) volume of final mixture in mL
(3) HLB for first surfactant
(4) HLB for final surfactant
(HLB for final mixture) * (final volume in mL) =
= ((HLB for first surfactant) * (volume for first surfactant in mL)) + ((HLB for second surfactant) * ((final volume in mL) – (volume for first surfactant in mL)))
volume for first surfactant =
= (((HLB for final mixture) * (final volume in mL)) – ((final volume in mL) * (HLB for second surfactant))) / ((HLB for first surfactant) – (HLB for second surfactant))
volume for second surfactant =
= (final volume of mixture) – (volume of first surfactant)
Volume of Each Surfactant Known
If the volumes of each starting surfactant is known, then the HLB for the mixture is:
HLB of final mixture =
= (((HLB for first surfactant) * (volume of first surfactant)) + ((HLB for second surfactant) * (volume for second surfactant))) / ((volume of first surfactant) + (volume of second surfactant))
