Research and Production Process of Floor Cleaner Formulation
Theoretical Basis for Formula Design
The formulation design of modern floor cleaners needs to comprehensively consider three dimensions: surface chemistry principles, material compatibility, and environmental friendliness. From the perspective of surface chemistry, the cleaner must possess both functions of reducing interfacial tension and enhancing permeability. Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS), as a representative anionic surfactant, has a molecular structure with hydrophobic groups that can effectively adsorb grease stains while its hydrophilic groups form micelles to carry dirt into the aqueous phase. This synergistic effect allows LAS to achieve ideal cleaning results at conventional concentrations (1.5-2.0kg/100kg).
In practical applications, we found two significant drawbacks in using LAS alone: it is highly irritating to the skin and has limited penetration ability against stubborn stains. Therefore, alkyl polyglucoside (APG-0810) was introduced as an auxiliary surfactant in the formulation. This green surfactant derived from natural glucose and fatty alcohol not only significantly reduces formula irritation but also disrupts the adhesion between stains and substrates due to its unique spatial structure. Laboratory tests show that when APG is added at 1.0kg/100kg, cleaning efficiency for stubborn stains like coffee or ink can be improved by over 40%.
Analysis of Core Component System
Surfactant Compound System
In industrial production, compounding surfactants requires consideration of cost-effectiveness and performance balance. Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) serves as the main surfactant; typically controlling its addition within a range of 1.5-2.0kg for a 30% aqueous solution based on multiple experimental validations ensures emulsification capability against common greasy stains without causing rinsing difficulties due to excessive use. Notably, LAS works best at pH values between 7.5-8.5; exceeding this range will significantly reduce its decontamination effectiveness.
The introduction of alkyl polyglucoside (APG-0810) represents an important innovation in this formulation since this nonionic surfactant boasts excellent biodegradability and mildness—particularly suitable for household cleaning scenarios—in which APG acts not only as an auxiliary but also substantially mitigates skin irritation caused by LAS usage with recommended amounts ranging from 0.8-1.2kg adjustable according to local environmental requirements; higher-end product lines may increase APG proportion up to 1.5kg while decreasing LAS content accordingly.
Solvent & Additive System
Propylene glycol methyl ether (PM) plays a key role as an efficient solvent responsible for dissolving resinous materials along with waxy residues within formulations where strict calculations indicate that adding it at around 1 kg enhances low-temperature cleaning efficacy without compromising product safety standards especially during northern winters where PM-containing formulas maintain over 90% cleanliness even under conditions reaching down towards five degrees Celsius—a benchmark difficultly achieved by typical cleaners.
EDTA-2Na serves here primarily as chelating agent whereby applying approximately .3 kg depends heavily upon water hardness considerations shown through experiments indicating such dosage fully complexes calcium/magnesium ions present within waters exhibiting hardness levels nearing three hundred parts per million thus preventing scale deposits whilst simultaneously stabilizing overall formula system inhibiting decomposition resulting from metal ion catalysis; areas experiencing particularly hard water might necessitate increasing dosage upwards toward half kilogram instead.