Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (ABS)
A major class of aklylaryl sulfonate surfactants used in detergents; usually a sodium salt. ABS is anionic and high sudsing. Prior to the mid-1960s, the form of ABS most widely used in detergent formulations resisted biodegradation. In 1965, detergent manufacturers voluntarily replaced ABS nationally in household laundry products by a more rapidly biodegradable variety of ABS called linear alkylate sulfonate, or LAS. SEE ALSO alkylaryl sulfonate; linear alkylate sulfonate; surfactant. See Also: Linear Alkyl Sulfonate (LAS) Alkylaryl Sulfonate Alkylaryl Sulfonate Alkylaryl Sulfonate Linear Alkyl Sulfonate (LAS) Alkylaryl Sulfonate Alkylaryl Sulfonate Emulsification Wetting Agent