Description
Acid Slurry, commonly referred to as LABSA (Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid), is a high-performance anionic surfactant and detergent raw material widely used in cleaning, textile, and industrial formulations. It is typically available with active matter concentrations of 90% or 96%, and appears as a brown, viscous liquid with strong foaming and emulsifying properties.
Chemical Properties
Main Component: Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid (LABSA).
Typical Purity/Active Matter: 90–96% (by weight).
Physical Appearance: Brown viscous liquid; some variants may be pale brown clear or yellowish honey brown.
Free Sulphuric Acid: 1.5–7% max (admixture, depending on grade).
Free Oil (NDOM): Max 1%.
Specific Gravity: 1.015–1.2 (at 25°C).
Acid Value: 220–240 mg KOH/g (for 90% grade).
Color (Klett scale): <60 degree klet; typically 20–25 for higher grades.
Other names: Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate (ABS), Dodecyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid.
Uses and Applications
Detergents and Cleaning Agents: Key ingredient in laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, liquid soaps, detergent powders, cakes, scouring bars, and cleaning powders for its high foaming and cleaning efficiency.
Textile Industry: Used as a wetting agent and emulsifier for dyeing, scouring, and removing oils/impurities from fabrics.
Industrial Cleaners: Strong degreasing properties ideal for heavy-duty cleaning agents in manufacturing and processing.
Agrochemicals and Paints: Acts as an emulsifying/stabilizing agent in certain paint and agrochemical formulations for mixing oil and water phases.
Leather Industry: Used in fat liquoring and cleaning of raw hides and skins.
Other: Sometimes found in oil soaps and similar products for surfactant properties.
Functional Characteristics
Lowers surface tension of water, making it an excellent cleaning and wetting agent.
Produces stable foam; required for lifting and removing dirt in washing and cleaning operations.
Highly soluble in water (liquid variant); facilitates easy formulation.