An Introduction: Silicone Antifoams

Silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) has been used as an antifoam for more than 40 years and has been rapidly and extensively used in various fields since the 1980s. Silicone antifoam can effectively remove and suppress foam in the production process.

Even though we call them antifoams, they are used in two ways to help control foam in your system. When used as antifoams, they help prevent foam from developing. When used as defoamers, they help destroy or knock down foam after it has occurred.

Knockdown refers to the reduction in foam height that occurs when the antifoam is added. Speed of knock down is also important, so is persistence, the length of time the antifoam continues to perform. Different foaming situations require different degrees speed of knock-down, and persistence.