CARBOWAX™ Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) are a family of water-soluble linear polymers formed by the addition reaction of ethylene oxide. The generalized formula for polyethylene glycol is:

H-(OCH2CH2)n-OH

where "n" is the average number of repeating oxyethylene groups.

Each CARBOWAX PEG is designated by a number that represents its average molecular weight. For example, CARBOWAX PEG 600 consists of a distribution of polymers of varying molecular weights with an average of 600, which corresponds to an approximate average number of repeating oxyethylene groups ("n") of 13.The letter "E" indicates Europe grade.

CARBOWAX Polyethylene Glycols are available in average molecular weights ranging from 200 to 8000.

One other product completes the standard CARBOWAX Product family: CARBOWAX PEG 540 Blend, which is a 41/59 weight percent mixture of PEG 300 and PEG 1450.

This wide range of products provides flexibility in choosing properties to meet the requirements of many different applications.

Technical Data Sheets for all CARBOWAX products are available at the Resource Center.

CARBOWAX Polyethylene Glycols
CARBOWAX PEG CTFA(b)/INCI(c)
Nomenclature
Range of Average Molecular Weight Appearance at 27°C Available Physical Form
200, 200E PEG-4 190 to 210 Clear Viscous Liquid Liquid
300, 300E PEG-6 285 to 315 Clear Viscous Liquid Liquid
400, 400E PEG-8 380 to 420 Clear Viscous Liquid Liquid
540 Blend(a) PEG-6
(and) PEG-32
Soft
Opaque White Solid
Paste
600, 600E PEG-12 570 to 630 Clear Viscous Liquid Liquid
1000 PEG-20 950 to 1050 Soft
Opaque White Solid
Paste
1450 PEG-32 1305 to 1595 Soft
Opaque White Solid
Paste
Flake
Aqueous Blend
3350 PEG-75 3015 to 3685 Hard
Opaque White Solid
Molten
Flake
Granular
Powder
Aqueous Blend
4000 PEG-90(d) 3600 to 4400 Hard
Opaque White Solid
Molten
Flake
Granular
Powder
Aqueous Blend
4600 PEG-100 4400 to 4800 Hard
Opaque White Solid
Molten
Granular
8000 PEG-180 7000 to 9000 Hard
Opaque White Solid
Molten
Flake
Granular
Powder
Aqueous Blend


Typical properties, not to be construed as specifications.
(a)A 41/59 wt % mixture of PEG 300 and PEG 1450
(b)Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association
(c)International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient
(d)Proposed CTFA/INCI Name


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