Chemistry Forum

Can someone please recommend a liquid with very low surface tension that is stable at room temperature and does not release toxic or foul smelling fumes? The surface tension needs to be significantly lower than water with soap, I will need to use about a 1/2 gallon at a time. Thanks!

Here you can find a list,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_tension

But most chemicals are harmful.

The best you choose the Ethanol water mixture.

Thanks for the quick reply! I will look into it.

ChenBeier wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 8:45 am Here you can find a list,

https://en.m.wikipedi/wiki/Surface_tension

But most chemicals are harmful.

The best you choose the Ethanol water mixture.

Thanks for sharing that link it is a great resource for information on surface tension. You are absolutely right, many substances that can lower surface tension can be harmful or unsafe to use in common applications. A mixture of ethanol and water is a more reasonable and safer option in many cases, especially when a low surface tension substance is needed but is still relatively user friendly.

Yes thanks for that list and advice to use the ethanol water mix. I will take your advice and give it a try.