Colonial ZF-20

DESCRIPTION
Colonial ZF-20 is a low foaming surfactant concentrate that is soluble at room
temperature in moderately alkaline solutions. Dilute solutions of Colonial ZF-20 have a
wide range of functional cloud points and are non-foaming above those temperatures.
This product is best suited for use in pipeline cleaners, spray cleaners, CIP cleaners,
and soak tank cleaners where immediate solubility and low foam are required.

TYPICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance Clear Liquid
% Solids 50
pH (as is) 7.70
Specific Gravity 1.16

CLOUD POINTS FOR Colonial ZF-20 IN KOH

% ACTIVE SOLUTION %KOH
10% 20%
1 37°C 50°C
2 45°C 63°C
3 52°C 70°C

COLONIAL ZF-20 VERSUS TRITON DF-20

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF ALKALI-SOLUBLE LOW FOAM SURFACTANTS

Three factors must be considered as key to the evaluation of alkali-soluble low foam
surfactants:
1.) Solubility in alkali, which determines the range of possible concentrates that can be
formulated.
2.) Foaming tendency, which impacts inversely on productivity.
3.) Detergency, which relates to performance efficiency.

Thus, concentrates must exhibit cloud points above ambient temperatures in order to
permit storage without phase separation and diluted solutions are utilized at
temperatures above their cloud point in order to be very low foaming.

Additionally, it is advantageous for the surfactant to be rapidly soluble in the course of

preparing the desired concentrates.

225 Colonial Drive South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Ph: 423-837-8800 Fax: 423-837-3888
SOLUBILITY IN ALKALI

The table below demonstrates that Colonial ZF-20 provides better solubility (higher
cloud points) compared to Triton DF-20.

CLOUD POINT, oC
Surfactant % Active 5% NaOH 10% NaOH 15% NaOH
Colonial ZF-20 1 34 34 50
5 61 70 77
Triton DF-20 1 15 17 40
5 50 61 54

FOAMING PROPERTIES
When concentrates are diluted for end-use in spray cleaning and the solution is applied
hot, it must be very low foaming. Normally, this is achieved by operating above the cloud
point of the dilute solution. Data below identifies foaming tendencies, as well as cloud
points as a function of temperature of such solutions.

Tested in Waring Blender, 100 ml solution mixed at highest speed for 15 seconds.
Surfactant concentration is 0.5% active.

FOAM VOLUME, ml
ZF-20 DF-20
Test 0.5% NaOH 2.0% NaOH 0.5% NaOH 2.0% NaOH
Temperature
40oC 10 0 50 5
60oC 0 0 30 0

5% Active Surfactant in CLOUD POINTS, oC

% NaOH ZF-20 DF-20
0.5 40 >100
2.0 36 30

DETERGENCY
Alkaline metal cleaning lab tests demonstrate that Colonial ZF-20 is markedly superior
to Triton DF-20 for the removal of viscous paraffinic oil from steel.

% DETERGENCY *
Surfactant
Colonial ZF-20 100
Triton DF-20 34

*Coated steel panels washed 10 mins. @ 60oC in solution containing 0.5% active
surfactant and 2% of an alkaline base comprised of NaOH, sodium metasillicate and
soda ash.

225 Colonial Drive South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Ph: 423-837-8800 Fax: 423-837-3888
CONCLUSION
Colonial ZF-20 is clearly superior to Triton DF-20 in solubility characteristics and
detergency. Also, Colonial ZF-20 has the additional advantage of being instantaneously
soluble in caustic solutions, while Triton DF-20 requires “activation” by an extensive
heating period to achieve solubility.

LAST UPDATED 07/18/2006

WARRANTY
Colonial Chemical guarantees that its products meet published specifications. No other warranties or
guarantees are expressed or implied because the use of this material is beyond the control of Colonial
Chemical.
Colonial Chemical, Inc.
www.colonialchem.com
225 Colonial Drive Ph: 423-837-8800
South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Fax: 423-837-3888

225 Colonial Drive South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Ph: 423-837-8800 Fax: 423-837-3888