ESSPEE-WO-400CP is a copolymer of acrylic acid with an optimized molecular weight to be used in different applications such as: liquid fabric wash, laundry additives, industrial and institutional detergents.

Physical and Chemical Properties
These properties are typical but do not constitute specifications.

WO-400CP
Appearance:  Clear solution to slightly yellow
Average molecular weight (Mw):  4000 – 4500
Total solids (%):  40
pH as is (at 25°C) : 6.9
Viscosity Brookfield (mPa.s/cps at 25°C):  800
Bulk Density (at 25°C) : 1.24

Chemistry and Mode of Action
ESSPEE-WO-400CP is a copolymer of acrylic acid with selected molecular weight around 4500 in order to optimize the following properties.

Anti-precipitation: ESSPEE-WO-400CP will increase solubility of precipitating salts by threshold effect. This allows to reduce in the wash bath precipitation of inorganic salts (carbonates, phosphates, sulphates of Ca and Mg).

Crystal distortion: this polymer gets entrapped into crystal lattices, preventing their growth and facilitating their breakage. This minimizes adherence of salts on surfaces and facilitates their elimination by rinsing.

Dispersing properties: this polymer is a good dispersant for soils and will help to prevent their re-deposition on surfaces.

Processing aids: the polymeric and chemical nature of ESSPEE-WO-400CP will bring binding properties which can be useful in several detergent manufacturing processes especially tableting.

Benefits
ESSPEE-WO-400CP is a key ingredient in institutional and industrial cleaners and laundry detergents. By using this polymer, the detergent manufacturers will enjoy the following advantages:

=>
Inhibition of crystal growth, thus preventing precipitation of carbonates phosphates or silicates.

=> Dispersion of precipitates in the cleaning bath to avoid settling and scaling on surfaces and fibers.

=>
Improvement of filming maintenance by soil dispersion, which minimize organic components deposition on glass and dishware.

=>
Increase of bleach stability especially in chlorinated formulations by binding heavy metals which destabilize chlorine species through catalytic reactions.

=>
Use in medium alkaline to very alkaline formulations, due to high solubility of ESSPEE-WO-400CP in caustic products. Caustics should be added slowly to a water premix containing polymer to avoid high pH gradients.

=>
Prevents the redeposition of clay sink onto the fabric or hard surface by keeping the particles
suspended in the wash bath.

Figure 1. Cleaning vs. Detergent Base (clay soil removal on cotton)

The use of a dispersant polymer will enhance the cleaning properties (clay soil removal) of laundry detergents based on both zeolite/soda ash and phosphate.

Conditions
Zeolite/Soda-Ash-Based: 150 ppm hardness; 0.15% detergent; 38°C; 10 minute wash. Phosphate-Based: 150 ppm hardness; 0.1% detergent; 49°C; 10 minute wash.

Figure 2. Effect of Polymer on Cleaning (clay soil removal on PE/cotton)

The cleaning performance of any laundry detergent is inversely related to water hardness. The use of a dispersant polymer such as ESSPEE-WO-400CP, however, can help to offset the effect of the hardness.

Conditions
Zeolite/Soda-Ash-Based: 150 ppm hardness; 0.15% detergent; 38°C; 10 minute wash.
Phosphate-Based: 150 ppm hardness; 0.1% detergent; 49°C; 10 minute wash.

Figure 3. Effect of ESSPEE-WO-400CP on the Deposition of CaCO3

ESSPEE dispersant polymers have a remarkable ability to reduce calcium carbonate deposition (encrustation) on laundry during the wash cycle. Even with very hard water (300 ppm calcium), adding 1.0 percent of ESSPEE-WO-400CP to a soda-ash-based detergent will virtually eliminate encrustation.

Conditions
Soda-Ash-Based: 0.1% detergent; 40°C; 10 minute wash/5 minute rinse; 5 cycles.

Dose Rates

To obtain an optimal effectiveness this polymer should be used at levels between 250 and 1000 ppm in the wash baths (household) and 100 to 500 ppm for industrial purposes. This will generally correspond to 2-6% (as is) in liquid formulation.

ESSPEE-WO-400CP is designed to be used in phosphate based or phosphate free detergents, the latter based on carbonate, silicate, citrate and NTA.

ESSPEE-WO-400CP is a suitable candidate for alkaline and chlorinated cleaners.In addition, ESSPEE-WO-400CP can be incorporated in carbonate rich fabric wash powders, and at low level in liquid laundry formulations.