Surfactants are commonly referred to as what?

Surfactants are commonly referred to as wetting agents because they reduce the surface tension of liquids, allowing them to spread more easily. This characteristic is crucial in various applications, including those in the funeral service industry. Wetting agents help in the distribution of embalming fluids throughout the body tissues, enhancing the effectiveness of the embalming process.

By improving the penetration of these fluids, surfactants ensure that embalming solutions can more effectively reach and interact with all areas of the body. This is essential for preserving tissues and preventing decomposition, making wetting agents a vital component in fluid formulations used in funerary practices.

In contrast, stabilizers are substances that prevent changes in the state or properties of other materials, catalysts speed up chemical reactions without being consumed, and preservatives are substances that inhibit spoilage or decay. While these terms relate to the preservation process, they are not synonymous with the function of surfactants as wetting agents.