Monday 15 April 2013

HLB Value Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance

Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance

An HLB with 0 can be considered for totally Lipophilic/Hydrophilic molecule while value 20 considered for completely Hydrophilic/lipophilic molecule.  

The HLB value can be used to check the properties of surfactants of a molecule. This HLB value Scale of 0 to 20 is considered. You can determine ionic and non ionic surfactants.


  1. Value < 10 is lipid soluble (Water insoluble)
  2. Value > 10 is water soluble (Lipid insoluble)
  3. Value between 4 and 8 indicates anti-foaming agent
  4. Value from 7 to 11 indicates (water in oil W/O) emulsifier.
  5. Value from 12 to 16 indicates (Oil in water O/W) emulsifier.
  6. Value from 11 to 14 indicates wetting agents.
  7. Value from 12 to 15 indicates detergent.
  8. Value for 16 to 20 indicates hydrotrope or solubiliser.


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