Nonbuilt heavy duty liquids: Detergency and formulating parameters

Abstract

The detergency of nonbuilt heavy duty liquids containing linear alkylate sulfonate and/or linear alcohol ethoxylate nonionic active is discussed. Single cycle detergency on a broad range of linear alkylate sulfonate-nonionic compositions was evaluated on cloths soiled in the laboratory with a mixture of synthetic sebum and dust and a commercially available soiled cloth, ACH #120A. The effects of multiple cycle wash testing also were covered. Formulating parameters to produce usable nonbuilt heavy duty liquids are discussed. The nonionic of choice for maximum detergency in nonbuilt heavy duty liquids should be derived from ca. a 14 carbon chain length alcohol with ca. 70% ethylene oxide. For optimum solubility, linear alkylate sulfonate should be the sodium salt derived from a linear alkylbenzene of ca. 235–240 mol wt, a product like that currently used in light duty liquids. The presence of linear alkylate sulfonate in nonbuilt heavy duty liquids helped reduce product clear point. Nonionics were found to give the best performance on cotton cloth. Linear alkylate sulfonates were most effective on synthetics. Multiple cycle testing with Spangler soil on nonbuilt heavy duty liquids was shown to be unnecessary. Mixed active systems gave the best overall product on the basis of performance and physical properties.