Stepan Company
ALKYL SULFATE / ALKYL ETHER SULFATE GYPSUM FOAMER

Abstract:

A surfactant composition is disclosed comprising a first alkyl sulfate surfactant, optionally a second alkyl sulfate surfactant, and optionally an alkyl ether sulfate. The first and second alkyl sulfate surfactants have Formula (1): R.sup.1--OSO.sub.3.sup.-.sup.+M.sup.1(1) and the ether sulfate has Formula (2): R.sup.2--(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2)yOSO.sub.3.sup.-.sup.30 M.sup.2(2) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected linear or branched alkyl or a combination thereof having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, y has an average value from 0.1 to 5, and M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 are cations independently selected from sodium, calcium, ammonium, or a combination of two or all of these. Use of the composition as a foaming agent for gypsum slurries, and of the gypsum slurries for formation of gypsum boards, are disclosed.