What Does
Defoamer Mean?
A defoamer is also called an anti-foaming agent. It is a chemical additive mixed with industrial process liquids so that the formation of foam in the industrial process liquids can be avoided. Some of the commonly used defoamers or anti-foaming agents are insoluble oils, some type of alcohols, glycols, polydimethylsiloxanes, silicones and stearates.
Corrosionpedia Explains Defoamer
If foam is produced in any industrial process liquid, it can cause serious problems such as defects in the surface coatings due to the formation of air bubbles in the surface coatings. Because of this, unevenness occurs and a smooth surface coating is not achieved.
The classification of defoamers is as follows:
- Oil-based defoamers – These types of defoamers contain oil carriers such as vegetable oil, mineral oil or any other insoluble oil except silicone oil. These defoamers are primarily used for removing surface foam.
- Powder defoamers – These types of defoamers are in a powdered form such as silica, and are added in plaster, cement and detergents.
- Water-based defoamers – These defoamers are dispersed in a water base and are used as deaerators.
- Silicone-based defoamers – These defoamers are polymers with silicon backbones and contain silicon glycols and other types of silicone fluids.