The HLB system

…(what it is & how it helps)…

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DRABE NICKSON., M.P.S

 The HLB System
• The polarity of surfactants can be expressed numerically on the Hydrophilic-
Lipophilic balance scale (originally used for non-ionics)
• Each surfactant is allocated an HLB number between 0 and 20

• HLB values of ionic surfactants are much higher (up to 50)

• The higher the value the more polar the surfactant

• The HLB system is used to ease the selection of emulsifying agents i.e. the
HLB method of selection
The HLB values of common surfactants
contributions of functional groups to the HLB
value
HLB scale showing classification of surfactant function
 Determination of ‘required HLB’ value

• The required HLB value is the value of the emulsifier blend that gives the most
stable emulsion for a particular oil phase

• This value can be obtained from literature

• In an oily mixture, the required HLB value can be calculated theoretically from
the proportions of each component in the oil phase

• If the required HLB value of the oil is not available, it can be found by
experimentation
 Calculating the ratio of emulsifiers that gives
the required HLB value
• Taking the amount of each surfactant into account, HLB values are additives

• Blending high and low HLB surfactants can be used to obtain the required HLB
value of an oil

• The HLB value of a mixture of surfactants A and surfactant B is assumed to be

the algebraic mean of the two HLB numbers, i.e.

HLBmixture = xHLBA +(1− x)HLBB

• Where x and (1− x) are the fractions of surfactant A and Surfactant B respectively
 Worked example
A formulator is required to formulate an oil-in-water emulsion of the
basic formula:
• Liquid paraffin 50 g
• Emulsifying agents (required HLB 10.5) 5g
• Water to 100 g
Hint; In this formulation, suitable emulsifiers are Tween 80 (with an
HLB value of 15) and Span 80 (with an HLB value of 4.3).
 Worked example…Cdt
Calculating the fraction x of Tween 80,
From HLBmixture = xHLBA +(1− x)HLBB

• Quantity of Tween 80 needed = 0.58

• Quantity of Span 20 needed =
 This is for you
What limitations are associated with the HLB method in
selecting and quantifying Emulsifying agents?
‘HOPE THIS HELPED
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