How to evaluate antifoam performance?
Selecting the right antifoam is crucial for optimizing coating performance. Silicone antifoams plays an essential role in controlling foam, ensuring a smooth application and preventing defects.
In-depth evaluation of these traits will guide your selection process. Proper testing methods will ensure the silicone antifoams meet your specific needs, delivering superior performance in various applications. Below is 3 regular testing method:
| Test method | Explain |
|---|---|
Stirring test | Evaluation of efficiency and separation tendency of defoamer: Complete formulation (include defoamer) is stirred with toothed dissolver at high speed (e.g. 3 min at 4000 rpm), Determined by weight and get density of formulation. Repeat test after storage (e.g. 2 weeks at 50°C) and get defoaming efficiency. |
Bubbling test | (see Fig.1) Add foaming liquid and defoaming agent into cylinder, keep it constant at set temperature, blow air into it at a set flow rate, and record change pattern of foam volume (including volume sum of foam and medium) over time. |
Shake test | Add certain amount of foaming liquid in the cylinder with plug-in, each time under the same number of shake flask, static observation of foam height and defoaming time. |
Fig. 1: Bubbling test