Skip to content
CarCareTruthProducts · Ranked

Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt

  • Corrosion inhibitors
  • CAS 68608-26-4

Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt (CAS 68608-26-4) appears in 1 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026).

H317 skin sensitizer potential at concentration ranges; classified as skin sensitizer Cat 1 in Woolwax HV SDS at 5–10% in formulation.

Petroleum sulfonate sodium salts (CAS 68608-26-4) are anionic surfactant-corrosion inhibitor compounds derived from petroleum fractions. They function by adsorbing to metal surfaces to create a hydrophobic barrier that displaces and excludes moisture and oxygen, which is the primary corrosion-protection mechanism in lanolin and petroleum-based undercoatings. The sodium salt form provides stability across a range of temperatures and makes the compound dispersible in oil-based formulations.

At 5–10% concentration in a lanolin-based matrix, petroleum sulfonate is the primary corrosion-inhibiting active compound. The Woolwax HV SDS identifies this ingredient as the only GHS-classified component and assigns it H317 (skin sensitization Cat 1) at the mixture level.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
no
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
3/5
Purpose: Corrosion inhibitor and emulsifier used in lanolin-based undercoating and rust preventive compounds

Common questions about Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt

What is Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt used for in car care?
Corrosion inhibitor and emulsifier used in lanolin-based undercoating and rust preventive compounds
Is Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt a VOC?
No. Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Petroleum Sulfonate, Sodium Salt is not on California's Proposition 65 list.

1 product contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.