HLB Values
The HLB value can be used to predict the surfactant properties of a molecule:
- < 10 : Lipid soluble (water insoluble)
- > 10 : Water soluble (lipid insoluble)
- 1.5 to 3: anti-foaming agent
- 3 to 6: W/O (water in oil) emulsifier
- 7 to 9: wetting and spreading agent
- 13 to 15: detergent
- 12 to 16: O/W (oil in water) emulsifier
- 15 to 18: solubilizer or hydrotrope
The Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) of a surfactant is a measure of the degree to which it is hydrophilic or lipophilic.
Name
HLB
CAS No.