Span 80 is mainly used as a solubilizer or emulsifier for injections and oral solutions; a dispersant for capsules; an emulsifier and base for ointments; and a base for suppositories. This product is used as emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener, and wetting agent in medicine, cosmetics, and textile industries. It can also be used as dispersant in paint industry and emulsifier in oil fields.

It can be used as a general-purpose emulsified oil, which can be added to mechanical oil in a certain proportion and combined with other water-based agents to form a metal working fluid. Span 80 itself has anti-rust and anti-corrosion effects, and has a compound synergistic effect with other anti-corrosion agents in the cutting fluid, greatly improving the anti-corrosion and anti-rust properties.