Overview
Sodium octyl sulfate ( CAS 142-31-4 ), commonly abbreviated as SOS and also marketed as Sipex OLS, is an anionic surfactant used across industrial and personal care manufacturing.
It functions as an emulsifier, dispersant, and cleaning agent, enabling stable formulations and effective soil removal across a range of process conditions for various industries.
In textile and leather processing, SOS acts as a wetting and scouring agent, improving dye penetration and removing oils or finishes from fiber surfaces before treatment.
Paper manufacturers use it as a dispersant and process aid to control foam and improve fiber distribution during pulp processing to ensure high-quality output.
In personal care formulations, it contributes to emulsification and foam generation in rinse-off products such as shampoos and body washes for consumer use.
Its surface-active properties also support industrial cleaning and degreasing formulations where low-foaming or controlled-foam performance is required for efficiency.
Sodium octyl sulfate is supplied as a liquid solution, typically at active concentrations suited to direct incorporation into formulations or dilution for process use.
Technical grade is the standard offering for industrial textile, leather, and paper applications. Personal care grades meeting relevant purity benchmarks are available for cosmetic end-use.
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Physical Properties
| Melting Point | 195 °C (dec.) (lit.) |
| Density | 1.04 |
| Flash Point | 93.3°C |
| Appearance | white solid |
| Color | White |
| Odor | Characteristic odour |
| Form | Coarse Powder |
| Water Solubility | soluble |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.31Pa at 20℃ |
| pH | 6-8 (10g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
| Log P | 3.269 (est) |
Safety & Handling
Danger GHS02 GHS05 GHS07 Hazard Statements H228 Flammable solid H315 Causes skin irritation H318 Causes serious eye damage H319 Causes serious eye irritation H335 May cause respiratory irritation Precautionary Statements P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment. P241 Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment. P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P264 Wash … thoroughly after handling. P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P317 Get emergency medical help. P319 Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell. P321 Specific treatment (see … on this label). P405 Store locked up. P501 Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations. P264+P265 Wash … thoroughly after handling. P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water. P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. P332+P317 Get emergency medical help. P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention. Get emergency medical help. P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. P370+P378 Use … for extinction. P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29209010 |
| WGK (Germany) | 2 |
Other Names
Related Products
Chemical Properties
- CAS Number
- 142-31-4
- EC Number
- 205-535-5
- Mol. Weight
- 232.28
- HS Code
- 29209010
- Category
- Salts & Minerals