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.
3.7
9087-53-0
5.1
68154-97-2
6.6
68551-14-4
7
69227-22-1
7
25231-21-4
8
Proprietary
9
68439-51-0
9.3
69227-22-1
9.5
68439-51-0
11
68002-96-0
12
78330-20-8
12.3
9002-92-0
12.6
68213-24-1
14
69227-22-1
14.4
9087-53-0
15.4
9004-98-2
15.7
69364-63-2
15.7
69364-63-2
17.9
78330-20-8 or 61827-42-7