T-87 Low-Foam Surfactant
Toynol® T-87 Low-Foam Surfactant
Abstract
Toynol® T-87 is a nonionic surfactant based on acetylenic diol compounding technology, developed to solve core problems such as poor wetting, cratering, inadequate leveling and foam control in waterborne systems (such as industrial coatings, inks and adhesives). It effectively reduces static and dynamic surface tension, provides excellent foam control, and offers outstanding water solubility and compatibility. Compared with conventional wetting agents, it maintains high efficiency under dynamic conditions (dynamic surface tension 39.6 dyn/cm) and is APEO-free, environmentally safe, making it a suitable option for waterborne formulations pursuing high performance and sustainability. It is particularly recommended for printing applications such as fountain solutions.
Core Product Information
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | T-87 |
| Chemical Description | Acetylenic diol compounded blend |
| Appearance (25°C) | Pale yellow to yellow liquid |
| Color (Pt-Co) | 350 APHA (typical 150 APHA) |
| Cloud Point | 43–48 °C (typical 46 °C) |
| Surface tension (0.1% aqueous solution, 25°C) | Static: 35.1 dyn/cm; Dynamic: 39.6 dyn/cm |
| Water Solubility | Miscible with water |
| Safety | Non-flammable and non-explosive; slight skin irritation. |
Main Features and Advantages
- Highly efficient wetting: Significantly reduces dynamic and static surface tension of waterborne systems, effectively preventing cratering and promoting leveling.
- Excellent foam control: Combines wetting and foam control, helping reduce foam problems during production and use.
- Strong compatibility: Good compatibility with other components in waterborne systems, suitable for a wide range of applications.
- Environmentally safe: APEO-free, in line with environmental regulations.
Recommended Application Fields
- Waterborne industrial coatings: Improves substrate wetting, helping reduce cratering and fisheyes on metal and plastic surfaces, and improving leveling.
- Waterborne inks and varnishes: Particularly suitable for high-speed printing, ensuring rapid ink spreading and uniform printing while controlling foam.
- Fountain solutions: Improves plate wetting efficiency, reduces emulsification and stabilizes print quality.
- Adhesives: Helps eliminate microbubbles, white spots and pinholes generated during preparation and application.
- Paper coatings: Improves spreading of the coating liquid for a uniform coating.
- Leather finishes: Enhances wetting and penetration of the finish on leather surfaces, improving finishing results.
Usage and Recommended Dosage
Addition sequence: Add after other surfactants and polymers, and before pigments, fillers and other solids, to optimize wetting and suppress foam.
Mixing: Stir thoroughly for 15–30 minutes after addition to ensure uniform dispersion. If viscosity rises, mild heating may be applied.
Recommended dosage:
- Waterborne industrial coatings: 0.3%–0.5% of total formulation
- Fountain solutions / waterborne inks and varnishes: 0.3%–2% of total formulation
- Other fields: 0.3%–1% of total formulation
- Determine the specific dosage through dosage screening based on the system.
Safety and Storage
- Safety precautions: Wear appropriate protective equipment (such as safety glasses and gloves) during handling. On skin contact, rinse with clean water; if splashed into the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical attention.
- Storage conditions: Store sealed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from heat, sparks and open flames.
- Low-temperature handling: May solidify or crystallize at low temperatures; heat to the melting point and stir to restore the original state without affecting performance.
- Packaging: 25 kg drums, 200 kg drums, 1000 kg drums.
- Shelf life: 2 years from the date of manufacture under recommended storage conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is T-87 suitable for high-pH or high-electrolyte systems?
A: Yes. As a nonionic surfactant, T-87’s performance is only slightly affected by system pH and electrolyte content, and it maintains stable wetting over a wide pH range and in the presence of electrolytes.
Q: Will this wetting agent affect film gloss or water resistance?
A: At the recommended dosage, T-87 generally has no negative effect on film gloss or water resistance. However, due to its strong surface activity, we recommend a full performance evaluation in the final formulation to ensure specific requirements are met.
Q: If the system already contains a defoamer, is T-87 still needed?
A: T-87’s primary function is wetting and foam control rather than strong defoaming; it complements defoamers. In systems with wetting defects, T-87 is still recommended to solve cratering and leveling issues even when a defoamer is present. The two generally work well together.
Q: The product has solidified at low temperature. Can it still be used?
A: Yes. This is a physical property, not deterioration. Place the product in a warm environment (e.g., >20°C) or heat in a water bath until it melts, then stir evenly before use; performance is unaffected.
Contact Us
- For free samples, detailed technical data sheets (TDS) or safety data sheets (SDS), or any technical questions, please contact us:
- Company: Tianjin Hi-Perferal Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.
- Address: No. 2-1, Zhenghua Road, Caozili, Wuqing District, Tianjin
- Technical service hotline: 022-82910362
- Website: www.surfychem.com