Dow Corning 949 Cationic Emulsion 1 L

Cationic Silicone Dispersion Built for Softness on Hair and Textiles

Dow Corning 949 Cationic Emulsion is a concentrated aqueous dispersion of an amino-functional silicone designed to deliver softness, slip and easy detangling on a wide range of substrates. Because the particles carry a positive charge, the emulsion deposits efficiently onto negatively charged fibers such as hair and textile, forming a thin uniform film without weighing the material down. This is why the item belongs to the Silicones and Conditioning Surfactants for Hair section, where professional hair care ingredients are gathered together.

Globally, the largest volume demand for this type of cationic emulsion comes from the textile industry, where it is used as a fabric softener during finishing stages, and from household chemical manufacturing for laundry conditioners. The cationic nature of the polymer gives it strong substantivity to fabric fibers, so a consistent softening effect is achieved even at low dosage levels. The second major field of use is hair cosmetics, including conditioners, masks, leave-in sprays and professional repair treatments, where the emulsion improves combability and leaves hair smooth without heaviness.

In cosmetic formulations the emulsion is added at the final stage into the water phase, at a temperature not exceeding 40-45 degrees Celsius, typically at 1 to 5 percent of the total batch weight depending on the desired conditioning intensity. Before incorporation it is advisable to pre-dilute the emulsion slightly with water and blend it in under moderate mixing, avoiding vigorous agitation that could disrupt the dispersion structure. The product pairs well with other silicone ingredients, such as Silicone fluid BC 2231, which adds extra shine and slip, and with Cyclopentasiloxane Dimethiconol BC 2231, which provides a light texture without weighing hair down. To improve formula stability and support preservation against microbial growth, formulators sometimes add auxiliary ingredients such as Triethoxycaprylylsilane, which is used for surface modification and stabilizing sensitive systems.

The emulsion is generally compatible with most anionic and nonionic surfactants when the formulation is balanced correctly, though in strongly anionic systems it is recommended to run a small-scale compatibility test first, since the cationic charge can interact with certain anionic components. The 1 liter pack size is well suited to small-batch and studio-scale production, whether for salon-grade hair treatments, textile finishing trials, or laboratory formulation work before scaling up to larger production runs. Store the emulsion in a tightly sealed container, in a dry place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations that could cause phase separation. Once opened, it is best used within a few months, with the container carefully resealed after each use.

Fabric Softening Rinse Concentrate

Distilled water 350 ml

Dow Corning 949 Cationic Emulsion 30 ml

Glycerin 15 ml

Citric acid 2 g

Laundry fragrance 5 ml