Why is PEG-1500 supplied in different physical forms?

PEG-1500 is a waxy polymer material whose solid or molten state depends on temperature. Flakes and powder are manufactured physical forms, not changes caused by storage temperature alone. The quoted supply form helps you plan dosing, melting and mixing.

What should I check before charging PEG-1500 into a heated batch?

Match the supply form, melting or solidification behaviour and viscosity to the charging and mixing conditions. For a viscosity result, check whether it refers to a melt or an aqueous solution and note the temperature and concentration. Hydroxyl value and water content are especially important in reactive resin systems.

Does PEG-1500 have one exact molecular mass?

No. The number 1500 indicates a nominal average molecular mass of about 1,500 g/mol for this grade, which contains chains of differing lengths. Hydroxyl-value calculations estimate an average using end-group chemistry, while SEC/GPC assesses molecular-mass distribution with a stated method and calibration. The reported average and test basis belong together when comparing grades.

Is PEG-1500 the same as Japanese Pharmacopoeia Macrogol 1500?

Not automatically. The PEG-1500 grade described here has a nominal average molecular mass of about 1,500 g/mol. Japanese Pharmacopoeia Macrogol 1500 is a defined blend of lower- and higher-molecular-mass PEGs. The required standard and composition distinguish these materials when quoting; the same name or CAS number alone does not establish equivalence.

Polyethylene Glycol 1500 (PEG-1500) CAS 25322-68-3

PEG-1500 (polyethylene glycol 1500, CAS 25322-68-3) is a water-soluble polyether diol supplied for binder, plasticizer and process-aid applications. Molecular-mass range and supply form are selected for your blending, coating or heated process. Send your application, quantity and destination for a quotation; an existing specification helps match the grade.

CAS: 25322-68-3
Synonyms: PEG-1500; Polyethylene glycol 1500; Macrogol 1500 (Ph. Eur. naming; distinct from the JP Macrogol 1500 blend)
Molecular Formula: HO–(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ–H, with a distribution of chain lengths; nominal average molecular mass about 1,500 g/mol.
Grade: Selected by average molecular-mass range and test basis, hydroxyl value, water content, melting or solidification behaviour and supply form. Pharmaceutical or personal-care requirements are matched to the named specification and intended use.
Package: Compatible packaging, liner and net weight are quoted for the selected PEG-1500 supply form, order quantity and destination.

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Product Description

1 Parameters

2 Applications

3 Storage

4 Quality and documentation

Parameters

Chemical identity	Polyethylene glycol, a linear polyether diol with chains of differing lengths.
Nominal average molecular mass	About 1,500 g/mol. The quoted specification identifies the accepted range and test basis; this is an average for the grade, not the mass of every molecule.
Physical form	Waxy solid, supplied as flakes or powder according to grade. Manufactured particle form and temperature-dependent solid or molten state are different characteristics.
Hydroxyl value	Reported in mg KOH/g with the test method. For a predominantly difunctional PEG, end-group analysis can estimate number-average molecular mass; it does not describe the full chain-length distribution.
Water content	Reported as a mass fraction, commonly determined by Karl Fischer titration. The accepted limit and method are specified for the quoted grade.
Melting / solidification behaviour	The specification identifies whether the value is a melting range or a solidification / congealing result, with the test method. These endpoints are not interchangeable.
Viscosity	Reported with temperature, method and units, and with solution concentration if measured in water. Dynamic viscosity in mPa·s and kinematic viscosity in mm²/s are different quantities; melt and solution data are not directly interchangeable.

PEG-1500 is a distribution of PEG chains rather than a single molecule with an exact molar mass. An average calculated from hydroxyl value and averages reported by size-exclusion chromatography / gel-permeation chromatography (SEC/GPC) use different measurement bases. A SEC/GPC report should identify the method, calibration and reported averages, such as Mn and Mw, so results can be compared meaningfully.

Applications

PEG-1500 is used as a binder in detergent tablets and ceramics, and as a plasticizer or process aid in compatible coatings, inks and textile formulations. Its hydroxyl end groups also allow use as a reactive component in polyester or polyurethane resin systems. Grade selection depends on the required binder or plasticizing effect, processing temperature and, for reactive formulations, hydroxyl value and water content.

Compare liquid PEG-300 for a lower molecular-mass PEG and PEG-6000 powder for a higher molecular-mass solid grade. Molecular-mass range, melting behaviour, viscosity and binder performance guide selection; a shared CAS number does not make these grades direct substitutes.

PVP K30 is a chemically different water-soluble binding polymer. For binder selection, compare the required binding effect and solution or melt-processing behaviour rather than treating PVP K30 as another PEG grade.

For reactive resin formulations, PPG-1000 offers a polypropylene-glycol diol comparison with the polyethylene-glycol diol PEG-1500. The different repeat-unit chemistry and molecular-mass grade affect compatibility and formulation behaviour; selection requires the relevant hydroxyl value, water content and processing conditions.

Storage

Keep PEG-1500 in tightly closed, compatible packaging in a cool, dry place, protected from contamination and excessive heat. Follow the storage and handling conditions in the TDS and SDS for the supplied form. Heated handling also requires protection against burns.

Quality and documentation

We can provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA), Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the quoted PEG-1500 grade. For orders requiring molecular-mass-distribution control, we can provide a size-exclusion chromatography / gel-permeation chromatography (SEC/GPC) report with the method, calibration basis and reported averages. These documents support incoming inspection and process planning.

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
Why is PEG-1500 supplied in different physical forms?

A: PEG-1500 is a waxy polymer material whose solid or molten state depends on temperature. Flakes and powder are manufactured physical forms, not changes caused by storage temperature alone. The quoted supply form helps you plan dosing, melting and mixing.
Q:
What should I check before charging PEG-1500 into a heated batch?

A: Match the supply form, melting or solidification behaviour and viscosity to the charging and mixing conditions. For a viscosity result, check whether it refers to a melt or an aqueous solution and note the temperature and concentration. Hydroxyl value and water content are especially important in reactive resin systems.
Q:
Does PEG-1500 have one exact molecular mass?

A: No. The number 1500 indicates a nominal average molecular mass of about 1,500 g/mol for this grade, which contains chains of differing lengths. Hydroxyl-value calculations estimate an average using end-group chemistry, while SEC/GPC assesses molecular-mass distribution with a stated method and calibration. The reported average and test basis belong together when comparing grades.
Q:
Is PEG-1500 the same as Japanese Pharmacopoeia Macrogol 1500?

A: Not automatically. The PEG-1500 grade described here has a nominal average molecular mass of about 1,500 g/mol. Japanese Pharmacopoeia Macrogol 1500 is a defined blend of lower- and higher-molecular-mass PEGs. The required standard and composition distinguish these materials when quoting; the same name or CAS number alone does not establish equivalence.

Ordering & Documentation

Key information for document requests, quotations, and supply planning.

Documents

Tell us which documents your procurement team needs. Before an order, we will check whether the quoted source can provide them for the offered lot.

Quotation

Send the CAS number, grade, quantity, packing preference and destination.

Sample & Supply

Ask whether samples, trial quantities or repeat orders are possible. We will check each request against the sourced product and current offer.

Storage & Shipping

Product-specific conditions are confirmed before order.

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