HLB Values of Surface Active Agents

“HLB VALUES” of Surface Active Agents



Surface active agents have varying properties depending on the nature and ratio of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. For example, among the anionic surfactants C₈-C₁₂ alkyl hydrophobes tends to be predominantly wetting agents, whilst the C₁₂-C₁₈ analogues exhibit better detergency and emulsifying properties. Clearly as the hydrophobic character of the