Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES)

Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES)

Sodium laureth sulphate; SLES; Sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulphate; Ethoxylated sodium lauryl sulphate

CAS 68891-38-3

Chemical Formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)ₙSO₃Na

Molecular Weight Typically ~420–460 g/mol

Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) is a widely used surfactant and cleansing agent known for its excellent foaming and emulsifying properties. It is commonly found in personal care and household products such as shampoos, body washes, toothpastes, and liquid detergents. SLES helps remove dirt and oil, creating a rich lather that enhances the user experience.

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Industrial Uses

1. Personal Care 

  • Surfactant and Foaming Agent: SLES is one of the most commonly used anionic surfactants in personal care products. It generates abundant, creamy foam that helps users perceive cleanliness and improves product aesthetics. The foam also helps to distribute the product evenly over skin or hair.
  • Cleansing Agent: SLES effectively emulsifies and removes oils, dirt, and sweat from skin and hair by lowering surface tension and allowing water to wash away impurities. Its mild to moderate cleansing strength makes it suitable for daily-use shampoos and body washes.
  • Emulsifier: In lotions and creams, SLES helps mix oil and water phases, stabilizing emulsions to ensure consistent texture and performance.

2. Cleaning & Disinfectant 

  • Detergent: SLES is widely used in laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, and all-purpose cleaners for its excellent grease-cutting ability and foaming capacity. It helps break down oily residues and soil on clothes, dishes, and hard surfaces, enabling thorough cleaning.
  • Foaming Booster: The rich foam generated by SLES improves the user experience by signaling cleaning power and making products easier to apply and rinse.
  • Wetting Agent: By reducing surface tension, SLES enhances the wetting of surfaces, allowing cleaning solutions to spread more effectively and penetrate soils better.

3. Energy

  • Degreaser: In industrial settings, SLES is used in formulations designed to remove heavy oils, grease, and contaminants from machinery, engines, and production equipment. Its strong emulsifying action helps lift and disperse stubborn soils.
  • Emulsifier: SLES helps to emulsify and suspend oily contaminants in water, facilitating their removal during rinsing and reducing residue build-up.

4. Fabric Solutions

  • Wetting and Detergent Agent: SLES is used during textile processing to remove natural oils, waxes, and impurities from fibers, improving dye uptake and fabric quality. Its wetting properties allow cleaning solutions to penetrate fibers thoroughly.
  • Leather Processing: In leather manufacturing, SLES helps clean hides and skins by removing fats, dirt, and processing residues, preparing them for tanning and finishing operations.

Specifications

Assay Typically 28–70%
Appearance Clear to slightly yellowish viscous liquid
Odor Mild, characteristic
Boiling Point >100 °C (aqueous solution)
Melting Point Not applicable (liquid form)
Density ~1.05–1.10 g/cm³ (at 20 °C, for 70% solution)
Solubility Soluble in water
Viscosity 500–5000 cP (depends on concentration and temperature)
Flash Point >93 °C (aqueous solution, not flammable)

Hazard Symbols

Corrosives
Irritants/Sensitisers/Other Hazards

FAQs

1. What is the current price of Sodium lauryl ether sulphate in India?
The price Sodium lauryl ether sulphate can vary based on factors such as purity, quantity, etc. For the most accurate and competitive pricing, please contact us at +91.6301 00 6301 directly for a customized quote tailored to your needs.

2. Where can I buy Sodium lauryl ether sulphate in India?
You can purchase Sodium lauryl ether sulphate from MULTICHEM, a leading exporter with a reputation for quality and reliability. We provide convenient options for bulk orders and direct shipments across global markets. For more details on how to place an order, please visit our website or contact our sales team.

3. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for Sodium lauryl ether sulphate?
Our minimum order quantity (MOQ) Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is designed to cater to both small-scale and large-scale needs. The MOQ depends on the packing size of the product which could range from 25 kg to 250kg.

4. How can I ensure the quality of Sodium lauryl ether sulphate supplied by Multichem ?
We adhere to stringent quality control processes to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of purity and effectiveness. They undergo rigorous testing and quality checks to guarantee that they comply with industry specifications. We provide a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) with every shipment to ensure transparency and quality assurance.