Defoaming agent classification introduction
Different reference books often have different methods for classifying defoamers. Generally speaking, they can be divided into water-based and solvent-based; or silicon-containing and non-silicone-containing. There are four main categories that are more common in the market.
1. Low-level alcohols and esters including isopropyl alcohol, butanol, tributyl phosphate, etc. have gradually faded out because they have certain toxicity and VOC, and the defoaming effect is not obvious and the anti-foaming property is not good.
2. Organic polar compounds mainly refer to some surfactants with low HLB values, such as polyether surfactants, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, etc. These are also rare in the market due to HLB.
3. Mineral oils, in addition to the defoaming effect of mineral oil complexes, also contain some hydrophobic particles, such as stearic acid metal soap and polyurea. It also has certain effectiveness.
4. Silicones mainly use hydrophobic silicone oil as the active ingredient, and are used in combination with some other carrier surfactants. The effect is better, but the amount added needs to be considered. In general, the third and fourth categories are more common in the market. It is enough to do a good job of matching, ensure the integration of the defoamer and the whole system, and give full play to the defoaming, anti-foaming and long-term effects. As for the specific types, there are countless kinds of defoamers in the Chinese market. Only by conducting specific experiments in your own laboratory can you see whether it is suitable.
