Fascinating Silicone Chemistry How Silicone Antifoams & Defoame...

Log In | Profile/Preferences | Customer Support | Contact Us

Global (English). Change

Search Products

Products

Technical Library

Premier Services

About Dow Corning

Go

Careers

Home > Discovery Center > Chemistry Corner

Discovery Center Home
Silicone Showcase
Toolbox
Safety & Sustainability
Proven Innovation

How silicone defoamers work

Chemistry Corner
Physical & Chemical
Properties
Tailoring Properties &
Performance
Organically Modified
Silicones
Cure Systems
How Silicones Work
Introduction
Adhesives
Defoamers
Foam Stabilizers

Silicone antifoams prevent foam from forming.

Silicone defoamers cause existing foam to rapidly
collapse. The generic term "antifoam" is often used
to describe both types of foam-control products.
Foam is difficult to break down because it is
stabilized by the surface elasticity and surface
viscosity of its film. Silicones have low surface and
interfacial tensions. This enables them to flow easily
over the film. They seek out openings between the
foam-stabilizing surfactants at the liquid-air interface
and occupy them. Silicones low surface tension and
interfacial properties combined with their lack of
foam-stabilization properties cause the foam wall to
thin and collapse.

Expand your understanding

Gloss & Shine Enhancers

Lubricants
Release Agents
Softeners & Conditioners
Surfactants (Emulsifiers)
Water Repellents
How Silicones Degrade
Silicone Manufacturing

Did you know ... silicones not only destroy

foam. They can also help stabilize it! Learn
how silicone foam stabilizers work.

Controlling foam in nonaqueous vs. aqueous systems

For nonaqueous systems, invading the spaces between the foam-stabilizing surfactants is
generally all that is required to collapse the foam. This can be accomplished by a simple
silicone fluid, such as polydimethylsiloxane.
For aqueous systems, the addition of finely dispersed hydrophobic solids, such as
polydimethylsiloxane-treated silica, is needed. These fluid/solid combinations are called
antifoam compounds. The hydrophobic solids help break down the "pseudo-emulsion" film that
forms between the antifoam droplet and the surface of the foaming solution. Antifoam
compounds are often prepared as emulsions for easy dispersal in water-based systems.

Antifoam and defoaming benefits of silicone

Lower surface tension, compared to organic antifoams
Insoluble in most systems
Tends to react less with process ingredients
Persistence generally performs longer
Can cost less to use due to its effectiveness and persistence at low use levels

Silicone economics:
Why a silicone antifoam that costs more can
actually cost less to use
Technical articles:
Silicones in the Food Industries (PDF size
105 KB)
Silicones in the Pulp and Paper Industry
(PDF 59 size KB)
Silicones in the Textiles Industry (PDF 98 size
KB)
Silicones in Household Cleaning Applications
(PDF size 114 KB)
Silicones in Coatings (PDF size 285 KB)
Silicones in Medical Applications (PDF size
146 KB)

Explore your material options

Typical silicone antifoam and defoamer applications
Foam reduces processing speed and capacity. It limits the cleaning capability of detergents,
limits formulations, and can lead to environmental concerns. Silicone antifoams effectively
control process foam in many different processes, including:
Chemical manufacturing and formulating
Textiles
Food production and processing
Household cleaning
Pulp and paper manufacturing
Paints and coatings
Pharmaceuticals for healthcare
Learn how other types of silicones work.

the silicone
toolbox for more
information.
Learn about silicone
materials from Dow
Corning.

nepO

1 of 2

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/discover/discoverchem/si-defoamer...

Get answers
Have a question
about how silicone
antifoams and
defoamers work?
Ask an Expert

Stay informed
Sign up for free e-mail updates about silicone
materials and technologies from Dow
Corning.
Enter e-mail address
Subscribe

Privacy Statement

5/4/2014 8:18 AM

Fascinating Silicone Chemistry How Silicone Antifoams & Defoame...

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/discover/discoverchem/si-defoamer...

< back to Chemistry Corner Home Page

Media Center

REACH

Site Map

Other Dow Corning Websites

Using this website means you understand our Privacy Statement and agree to our Terms & Conditions.
2000 - 2014 Dow Corning Corporation. All rights reserved. Dow Corning is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation. XIAMETER is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation. We help you invent the future is
a trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.

2 of 2

5/4/2014 8:18 AM