MACROGOL products are hygroscopic, and their hygroscopic properties decrease
in accordance with the increase in their molecular weight. For example,
MACROGOL 200 has a high hygroscopic property similar to that of a propylene
glycol, whereas MACROGOL 4000 and MACROGOL 20000 have very low hygroscopic
properties. The following figure shows the equilibrium moisture regain
of MACROGOL.
MACROGOL products have low toxicity according to the following LD50 values
for rats.
Product
Name
LD50
g/kg (oral, rat)
. MACROGOL 200
28
. MACROGOL 400
30.2
. MACROGOL 1500
44.2
. MACROGOL 4000
50
. MACROGOL 6000(powder)
50
. MACROGOL 6000(flake)
50
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances, Feb. 2003 (NIOSH)(CO-ROM).
Other properties
-
MACROGOL is readily esterified
and etherified, because it has primary hydroxyl
groups at both ends of its molecule.
-
MACROGOL's water solubility is
not affected by the presence of an electrolyte.
It is solubule in hard water and aqueous salt
solution, as well as in acids and alkalis (except
for extremely concentrated acids or alkalis).
-
MACROGOL and its aqueous solutions
show excellent lubricity. It decomposes at high
temperatures, but no residue remains.
-
MACROGOL's temperature-kinematic
viscosity curve and its aqueous solutions' temperature-kinematic
viscosity curves are shown below.
Hygroscopic Properties
