The difference between Tween 20 and Tween 80 Tween is also called Tween-type emulsifier. It is a condensate of Span (sorbitol fatty acid ester) and ethylene oxide. It is a kind of non-ionic detergent. Chemical name: polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, abbreviated polysorbate. Since the Span is an ester formed from sorbitol and different higher fatty acids, Twain is actually a series of products of the same type. There are 20, 40, 60, 80 kinds of products in general fine chemical stores or chemical reagent companies, depending on the Need to choose. Tween-60 is stearate; Tween-80 is oleate; Tween-20 is laurate, is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and part of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monohydrate. A mixture of laurate.