Antifoam Services

The following are just a sample of available services. We can assist you even further. Share with us your particular situation and give us the opportunity to purpose alternative solutions for you based on your real needs.

1. Product Testing

There are various antifoam test methods that may be performed to evaluate antifoam and defoam performance in a specific foaming media. Services for antifoam testing may include the set up of a design of experiment, testing, interpretation of results, documentation and a summary report of the testing. The total time to perform a test is variable, and usually it is based on the number of foam control products being evaluated, number of replicates, and the actual set up and clean up time for the individual test method. In addition, to the testing itself, time will be needed to record and interpret the data. To illustrate this, below, you will find a brief description of the test and the expected results.

1.1. Test Method A (Sparge Test):

• This method produces a qualitative evaluation of defoaming and antifoaming efficiency.
• A specified foaming solution is sparged with air to produce foam. The "defoaming efficiency" of a material is evaluated by measuring its effect on the foam height and the foam collapse time after a specified sparging time.

Expected Results: A chart or table of Foaming Tendency vs. Foam Control Performance

1.2. Test Method B: Defoam performance testing (Wrist-Action Shaker):

• This method gives a relative measure of defoaming performance.
• A measured amount of sample is added to a surfactant solution. The mixture is shaken and the time (in seconds) required for the foam to collapse is recorded.

Expected Results: A chart or table of Foam Control Performance at various dosages.

1.3. Test Method D (Recirculation Pump Test):

• This method produces a qualitative evaluation of defoaming performance under dynamic conditions of agitation, emulsification and shear.
• The defoaming efficiency of a material is evaluated by determining the amount of time required to produce a specified foam height while recirculating a solution through a closed loop.

Expected Results: A chart or table of Foam tendency, foam control performance at various dosages.

2. Process Optimization:

A Dow Corning’s application engineer expert can assist your process engineers in the use of the selected Antifoam(s) to resolve your foam control needs. Our silicone experts have extensive experience in foam control and are familiar with a wide variety of processes. In a collaborative environment our experts can assist you in optimizing your process in any of the following areas:

• Identify the best point in the process to incorporate the Antifoam
• Optimize the usage of the Antifoam in your process
• Equipment recommendations to add the Antifoam in the process
• Strategies to avoid undesired down-stream effects