Description

The Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance (HLB) value for a surfactant describes its chemical hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. Blending 2 surfactants can result in a mixture with certain target properties. The HLB values of 2 surfactants are additive, which simplifies the blending.


HLB for a Surfactant

Surfactant Activity

1 to 3

antifoaming agent

3 to 6

emulsifier

7 to 9

wetting agent

8 to 13

emulsifier

13 to 15

detergent or emulsifier

15 to 18

solubilizing agent or emulsifier

18 to 20

solubilizing agent

 

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))

 


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