In the world of household and industrial cleaning products, glass cleaners play a crucial role in maintaining the clarity and shine of various surfaces. A high-quality glass cleaner not only removes dirt, grime, and fingerprints but also leaves surfaces streak-free and sparkling. This article delves into the intricate formulation of an effective glass cleaner, providing valuable insights for manufacturers, chemists, and cleaning enthusiasts alike.
The effectiveness of a glass cleaner largely depends on its chemical composition and the synergy between its ingredients. By understanding the role of each component and the precise ratios in which they are combined, we can create a glass cleaner that outperforms standard products on the market. Whether you’re looking to develop a new glass cleaner formula or simply curious about what goes into your favorite cleaning product, this comprehensive guide will illuminate the science behind achieving spotless, gleaming surfaces.
I. Raw Material Proportions
| Raw Materials | Proportions (Parts by Weight) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1# | 2# | 3# | 4# | 5# | |
| Alcohol | Isopropanol 20 | – | – | Isopropanol 20 | – |
| – | Ethanol 15 | – | – | – | |
| – | – | n-Propanol 25 | – | – | |
| Ethylene glycol 3 | Ethylene glycol 5 | – | Ethylene glycol 3 | Ethylene glycol 30 | |
| Propylene glycol 3 | – | – | Propylene glycol 3 | – | |
| Anionic surfactant | α-Olefin sulfonic acid sodium salt 1 | – | – | α-Olefin sulfonic acid sodium salt 1 | – |
| – | – | Sodium alkyl ether sulfate 4 | – | Sodium alkyl ether sulfate 1 | |
| Sodium lauryl ether sulfate 0.7 | Sodium lauryl ether sulfate 4 | – | Sodium lauryl ether sulfate 0.7 | Sodium lauryl ether sulfate 1 | |
| Nonionic surfactant | – | – | – | – | Alkyl polyglucoside 0.5 |
| Butyl cellosolve 0.5 | – | – | Butyl cellosolve 0.5 | – | |
| N-Cocoyl ethanolamide 0.6 | N-Cocoyl ethanolamide 1 | – | N-Cocoyl ethanolamide 0.6 | N-Cocoyl ethanolamide 0.3 | |
| Water | 70 | 74.5 | 69.5 | 70 | 66 |
| Silane/Siloxane | Methyl silicone/Organic siloxane copolymer 0.5 | Methyl silicone/Organic siloxane copolymer 0.1 | – | Methyl silicone/Organic siloxane copolymer 1 | Methyl silicone/Organic siloxane copolymer 0.5 |
| – | – | Hexamethyldisiloxane 0.8 | – | – | |
| Solubilizer | Sodium xylene sulfonate 0.3 | Sodium xylene sulfonate 0.2 | – | Sodium xylene sulfonate 0.3 | Sodium xylene sulfonate 0.3 |
| – | – | Polyethylene glycol-80 0.3 | – | – | |
| Chelating agent | Sodium citrate 0.2 | – | – | Sodium citrate 0.2 | Sodium citrate 0.2 |
| Trisodium phosphate 0.2 | Trisodium phosphate 0.2 | Trisodium phosphate 0.4 | Trisodium phosphate 0.2 | Trisodium phosphate 0.2 | |
II. Preparation Method
- Using the glass cleaner total raw materials as the base, add 15% ~ 35% alcohol and 1.5% ~ 5.5% surfactant to the mixing tank and stir for 2 ~ 3h, controlling the temperature at 50 ~ 60°C.
- Cool to 30°C. Using the glass cleaner total raw materials as the base, add 0.1% ~ 1% silane/siloxane (viscosity 40%, secondary content ratio of 3:2), add 0.1% ~ 0.3% solubilizer and 0.1% ~ 0.4% chelating agent, continue stirring for 1~2h until the product is obtained.
Raw material combinations: The aforementioned alcohols can be chosen from one or more of monohydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohols. The monohydric alcohols to polyhydric alcohols ratio is preferably (1:3) ~ (5:2). The monohydric alcohols mentioned refer to C2~4 monohydric alcohols. The polyhydric alcohols mentioned refer to C2 or C3 polyhydric alcohols.
The surfactants used in this glass cleaner formulation are commonly used glass cleaning surfactants, preferably including both anionic and nonionic surfactants. The ratio of anionic to nonionic surfactants is (2:3) ~ (4:1).
The anionic surfactants mentioned are selected from one or more of α-olefin sulfonic acid sodium salt, sodium alkyl ether sulfate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate.
The nonionic surfactants mentioned are selected from one or more of alkyl polyglucoside, butyl cellosolve and N-cocoyl ethanolamide. Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is α-olefin sulfonic acid sodium salt or sodium lauryl ether sulfate.
This product’s cleaner can also add solubilizers and chelating agents.
The solubilizers mentioned can be common solubilizers used in cleaning agents, such as sodium xylene sulfonate, polyethylene glycol-80, or one or more of other commonly used hydrotropes.
The chelating agents mentioned can be common chelating agents used in cleaning agents, such as sodium citrate, EDTA disodium salt, NTA, sodium gluconate, sodium polyacrylate, sodium tripolyphosphate and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, or one or more of these.
The silanes mentioned are selected from one or more of methyltriethoxysilane, hexamethyldisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.
The siloxanes mentioned are selected from silicone oil/organic siloxane copolymers or organic modified siloxanes.
The ratio of silane to siloxane is (1:1) ~ (3:1), preferably (1:1) ~ (2:1), with a secondary crosslinking degree of 30~60. The silane/siloxane crosslinking product can be prepared according to the regular method of making silane and siloxane undergo a crosslinking reaction, or it can be purchased commercially.
III. Product Application
This product is mainly a type of glass cleaner.
IV. Product Characteristics
The addition of water-soluble silane/siloxane crosslinking product can enhance the cleaning agent’s film-forming properties, increase its antistatic effect, and effectively prevent glass from fogging under low temperature and high humidity conditions.