What is an Antifoam Agent?
True to its name, antifoaming agents are additives used to prevent the formation of foam. An antifoam agent refers to any additive that reduces the surface tension of the liquid foaming medium. As a result of reduced surface tension, the formation of foam and bubbles is reduced. Antifoam agents contain surface-active properties and are typically insoluble within the foaming medium. They tend to have a low viscosity, allowing them to easily coat the medium.
There are many antifoaming agents available on the market, with the most popular being constructed from various oils (like mineral oil), fatty alcohols (like stearyl alcohol), polydimethylsiloxanes (such as silicones), silicone surfactants, fatty acids, esters, ethers, and glycols.
What is a Defoamer?
Defoamers are made from liquid materials, with the most common forms being made from mineral oil or water as the continuous phase. These liquids are then paired with a hydrophobic solid, typically hydrophobic silica or a wax, such as fatty acids, ethylene-bis-stearamide, or fatty alcohols. Some of these hydrophobic solid ingredients are used individually, and other times defoamers will rely on multiple hydrophobic solids. In any case, an effective