HLB

HLB means hydrophilic-lipophilic balance.

HLB may be defined as a numerical value which is specific

for particular emulsifying agent expressing the strength
of hydrophilic and lipophilic part of the molecule
(emulsifying agent), required to produce the most
physically stable emulsion from a particular oil and water
combination.
 HLB

HLB system or hydrophilic-lipophilic balance system is

defined as the scale of some numerical values ranging
from 1 to 50 (generally 1-20) to express the polarity of
the surface active agent; the higher the number, the
more polar or hydrophilic the substance.
 HLB
Explanation:
HLB means hydrophilic-lipophilic balance.

One of the desirable properties of an emulsifying agent is

that it undergoes strong adsorption at the interface
between the oil and water phases.

This requires a proper balance between the hydrophilic and

the lipophilic tendencies of the emulsifying agent.

If an emulsifying agent is predominantly hydrophilic it

favours the formation of a O/W emulsion.
 HLB
For the preparation of a w/o emulsion, the emulsifying
agent should have an HLB of about 0 to 8,

On the other hand for the preparation of an o/w emulsion,

emulsifying agent should have an HLB of about 9 to 18.

Example:
Na-stearate has the characteristics of a good o/w
emulsifying agent, since it posses a hydrophilic (COO-)
group that predominates over the lipophilic hydrocarbon
group.
C17H35------COO- Na+
Lipophilic Hydrophilic
HLB range and their application

HLB ranges Application

3-8 emulsifying agent(w/o)
7-9 wetting agent
8-18 emulsifying agent (o/w)
13-15 detergent
15-18 solubilizing agent
HLB value of Emulsifying agents

Chemical name Trade name HLB

Sorbitan monooleate Span 80 4.3
Sorbitan monostearate Span 60 4.7
Sorbitan monoplamitate Span 40 6.7
Sorbitan monolaurate Span 20 8.6
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate Tween80 15
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan monostearate Tween60 11.6
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan monoplamitateTween 40 15.6
Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan monolaurate Tween 20 16.7
Required HLB values of some oils
and waxes
Oil/fat HLB value for
w/o o/w
Emulsion Emulsion
Bees wax 4 12
Cetyl alcohol - 15
Castor oil - 14
Liquid paraffin 4 12
Soft Paraffin 4 12
Hard paraffin 4 10
Stearic acid - 16
Wool fat 8 10
 Problems
#1 What is the HLB value of a surfactant system
composed of 5 gram Span 60 and 20 gram Tween 20?
#2 What is the HLB value of a surfactant system composed
of 20 gram Span60 and 5 gram Tween20?
# 3 In what proportion should Span 80 and Tween 80 be
mixed to obtain required HLB of 12?

HLB of Surfactant1XQuantity of Surfactant1+HLB of Surfactant2X Quantity of Surfactant2+---

HLB=
Quantity of Surfactant1+Quantity of Surfactant2+----

HLB of Span60XQuantity of Span60 + HLB of Tween20X Quantity of Tween20

HLB=
Quantity of Span60+Quantity of Tween20
• #4 A formula contains 5 mg% emulsifying blend
which is a mixture of Span 60 (4.7) and Tween
20 (16.7). The required HLB value for oil phase
and amount emulsion are 14 and 500 ml
respectively. Calculate the individual quantity of
emulsifying agents.

# 5 The ratio of emulsifying agent (Span 80) is

40% and rest is unknown emulsifying agent. If
the required HLB of oil phase is 11, what is the
HLB of unknown emulgent.
#6 The oil phase of an emulsion (O/W) is
constituted by 30 gram liquid paraffin, 1 gram
wool fat and 2 gram cetyl alcohol. If the total
amount of emulsion and emulsifying blend of
two emulsifying agents are 100 gram and 6
gram respectively, calculate their individual
amount.

# 7 A formula of an emulsion contains 50 gm

emulsifying blend. The emulsifying blend is
composed Tween 40 and Span 20. If the
required HLB value of the oil phases is12.6, how
many grams of each emulsifier should be used
to prepare the emulsion?