Foam occupies space and transportation becomes difficult due to the increase in viscosity and decreases the density of the fluids. It also causes delays in functioning and operation. This foam must be removed for increasing the quality of manufacturing. Silicone is the best defoamer or foam controller.

The fluids of silicone tend to penetrate the membranes of the foam and act upon the surface agents that form foam. The foam collapses enhancing the manufacturing rate and productivity. They are very effective in breaking down foam very rapidly. 

Silicone de-foaming is very essential in many industries like paints, coatings, paper, construction, food processing, agriculture, cleaning agents, metalworking, pulp, etc.

Importance of foam removal

There are many benefits of removing foam, especially in the manufacturing industries. In fact, the production is interlinked with removing foam. The foam which is generated during manufacturing various products obstructs the process often by slowing it down. Hence obstructing the foam is extremely important for the production rate. Check out Elkem for the best quality silicone foam control and antifoam agents.

Why Silicones?

Silicones have very low surface tension because of which, it penetrates into the foam film very easily and quickly. The breaking down of foam becomes easier with Silicone. The products become quite easy to handle because of their reduced viscosity. The separation of the products also becomes easy.

Silicone remains highly effective even in hotter products, it is not volatile and it can sustain above six hundred degrees Fahrenheit. It can be used in different forms like:

• Solvent dispersions in paints, inks, etc
• Aqueous systems like oils, detergents, etc. 
• Concentrates that can be diluted for other defoaming 
• Emulsions that can be quickly dispersed in aqueous solutions.

Few advantages of using Silicone in foam removal

1. Chemical perspective: 

Silicone has a good and stable chemical bonding as an element. Hence it is highly stable and negligibly reactive. That is why they go well with all kinds of acids, salts and bases.

2. Thermal stability:

The thermal stability is quite high. It is non-volatile and can be used over a broad range of temperatures. The inner bonding is so strong that it does not melt away. It can sustain above six hundred degrees celsius. 

3. Safe:

Silicone is very safe for people, animals and the environment too. It does not do any harm when added to any products such as food and cosmetics.

4. Low surface tension

The surface tension is very low due to which it has good defoaming power. It obstructs the formation of foam and functions actively in destructing the formed foam.

5. Vast application range

 Each industry needs its own kind of foam removal, it is not one and the same for all. Silicone has it all to meet all the requirements of a de-foaming agent to all the industry. Hence it is considered as the best amongst all others.

Few common applications  of silicone-based defoamers

Almost every manufacturing industry requires silicone-based defoamers. Below is the list of few common applications of silicone defoamers:

• Fabrics and textiles
• Cleaners
• Detergents 
• Paints
• Pulp
• Drugs and pharma
• Paper
• Food, etc