Sorbitan Fatty Acid Esters (Span Series)
Chemical Composition
Sorbitan esters are non-ionic lipophilic surfactants commonly used as water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifiers and stabilizers. Produced by esterification of dehydrated sorbitol (sorbitan) with various fatty acids, these compounds are derived from vegetable sources including corn and potatoes. Common fatty acids used include lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid.
Key Properties
Our sorbitan esters feature a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) between 1.6-8.6, making them soluble in polar organic solvents and oils. When combined with ethoxylated sorbitan esters (polysorbates) having HLB values of 10.0-16.7, they create versatile surfactants capable of producing both W/O and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with varying consistencies.
Product Specifications
| Product Name | Chemical Name | Appearance | HLB |
|---|
| Span 20 (S-20) | Sorbitan monolaurate | Yellow To Amber Viscous Liquid Or Soft Paste | 8.6 |
| Span 40 (S-40) | Sorbitan monopalmitate | Light yellow granular solid | 6.7 |
| Span 60 (S-60) | Sorbitan Monostearate | White to light yellow powder or wax or block | 4.7 |
| Span 65 (S-65) | Sorbitan tristearate | White to yellow granular solid | 2.1 |
| Span 80 (S-80) | Sorbitan Monooleate | Amber to brown thick oily liquid | 4.3 |
| Span 83 (S-83) | Sorbitan sesquioleate | Yellow viscous liquid | 3.7 |
| Span 85 (S-85) | Sorbitan Trioleate | Pale-yellow viscous liquid | 1.8 |
Packaging & Storage
Packaging: Solid 25 kg/bag; Liquid 25 kg/barrel, 200 kg/barrel, 900 kg/barrel (special packaging available upon request).
Storage: Store in cool, dry place in tightly sealed packages, away from heat and light.
Transportation: Transport as non-dangerous goods.
Shelf Life: Two years.
Shipment: 7-14 days after receiving payment.
Industrial Applications
Span series products are widely used as emulsifiers across multiple industries:
- Food Industry: Cake oil, bread improver, beverages - provides emulsifying and stabilizing effects
- Cosmetics: Stabilizes emulsification of oils and fats including mineral oil, silicone oil, and synthetic oils
- Pharmaceuticals: Used as emulsifier, suspension aid, dispersant, and wetting agent
- Other Industries: Textile additives, metal processing aids, rust inhibitors, and cutting fluids
Food Grade Specifications
| Index | Span 20 | Span 40 | Span 60 | Span 80 |
|---|
| Appearance (20°C) | Amber sticky liquid | Light yellow wax | Light yellow wax solid | Amber to brown sticky oily liquid |
| Acid value (mg KOH/g) ≦ | 7 | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| Saponification value (mg KOH/g) | 155~170 | 140~155 | 147~157 | 145~160 |
| Hydroxyl value (mg KOH/g) | 330~360 | 270~305 | 235~260 | 193~210 |
| Residue on ignition (w/%) ≦ | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Water (w/%) ≦ | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| Pb (mg/kg) ≦ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| As (mg/kg) ≦ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Food Application Guidelines
| Application | Benefit | Suggested Dosage |
|---|
| Dry yeast | Carrier of active yeast, promotes performance | 10%-15% of water, 1% of dry yeast |
| Margarine | Maintains water-oil dispersion, improves plasticity | 1-1.5% |
| Shortening | Adjusts oil crystal, improves stability | 1-1.5% |
| Whipping cream | Shortens whipping time, improves foam structure | 0.2-0.5% |
| Coffee whitener | Uniform fat globule distribution, improved whitening | 0.5-1% of oil and fat |
| Cake emulsifier | Enlarges volume, improves texture and stability | 3-5% |
| Ice cream | Prevents ice crystal formation, improves mouth feel | 0.1-0.3% |
| Confections & chocolate | Improves oil dispersion, adjusts crystallization | 0.3-1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a factory or trading company?
We are a factory.
Where is your factory located? How can I visit there?
Our factory is located in Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, China. All clients are warmly welcome to visit us.
Can I get some samples?
Yes, we can supply free samples, with shipping costs paid by customers.
Can you accept small orders?
Yes.
What is your payment terms?
30% T/T down payment and balance against copy of B/L, or 100% L/C at sight.
How about delivery lead time?
About 7-14 days after payment confirmation (excluding Chinese holidays).
About Our Company
Jiangsu Lihong Technology Development Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales and technical services. Located in Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, our facility covers 150 acres with total investment exceeding RMB 500 million. We operate 14 industry-leading production lines with annual capacity exceeding 100,000 tons.
