Emulsionsreiniger

Emulsionsreiniger are cleaning agents that consist of two or more immiscible liquids, with one liquid dispersed as fine droplets within the other. Typically, these are oil-in-water or water-in-oil formulations, stabilized by emulsifiers. Emulsionsreiniger are widely used in various industrial and household applications due to their ability to solubilize and remove both oily and water-soluble soils.

The effectiveness of an emulsionsreiniger relies on the presence of surfactants, which act as emulsifiers. These molecules have a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a lipophilic (oil-attracting) tail. In an oil-in-water emulsion, the lipophilic tails of the surfactants surround the oil droplets, while the hydrophilic heads extend into the surrounding water, preventing the oil droplets from coalescing. Conversely, in a water-in-oil emulsion, the hydrophilic heads face inward, surrounding the water droplets, and the lipophilic tails extend into the continuous oil phase.

Common applications for emulsionsreiniger include metalworking fluids for lubrication and cooling during machining, degreasers for cleaning machinery and components, and household cleaners for removing grease and grime from surfaces. They are also found in textile processing, the cosmetic industry, and in the formulation of certain agricultural products. The choice between oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions depends on the specific cleaning task and the nature of the contaminants to be removed.