Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate (603 type)

Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate is a nonionic surfactant used in agrochemical emulsifier and dispersant systems. Its bulky aromatic hydrophobe associates with hydrophobic active ingredients and organic phases, while the polyoxyethylene chain provides affinity for water. This combination lowers interfacial tension, promotes wetting and helps form emulsions when a formulated concentrate is diluted.

The 603 designation refers to a commercial surfactant type rather than a single molecular species. Ethoxylation produces a distribution of chain lengths, and commercial grades can differ in hydrophilic balance and physical form. The material is an unphosphated nonionic ethoxylate; phosphate esters and their salts have different ionic behavior. It is commonly blended with complementary surfactants to establish the required dilution profile.

Typical Applications

• Emulsifiable pesticide concentrates: Used with anionic emulsifiers in solvent-based insecticide, fungicide or herbicide concentrates. On dilution, the surfactant package helps distribute the active-containing organic phase as droplets throughout the spray water.
• Emulsion and suspoemulsion formulations: Used in interfacial packages for formulations combining an oil phase with water, including systems that also contain suspended active particles. Its contribution is stabilization of the oil-water interface rather than control of particle size by itself.
• Agrochemical wetting packages: Used in formulation blends where hydrophobic active material must be wetted during incorporation or dilution. The aromatic hydrophobe and hydrated ethoxy chain provide the bridge between the poorly water-compatible material and the continuous phase.

Specifications

Specifications describe the standard grade. Tolerance, test method and documentation package are confirmed per order.