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What is a Silicone Compound?

silicone compound is made up of a hydrophobic particle (generally silica) dispersed in silicone oil, which produces a foam control or antifoam agent used in a great variety of applications.

Chemical structure

What is a Silicone Compound?

The backbone structure of silicone oils is made up of a chain of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. Each silicon atom is bonded to two carbon-based substitution groups, almost invariably methyl groups. Within the silicone oils themselves, the chains glide and slip over one another, so the oils are fluid. Silica particles are dispersed in the silicone oil to form the silicone compound.

Silicone compounds properties

The composition of the silicone compound has a determining influence on its performance and utility. Silica plays a key role in the formulation, to achieve exactly the antifoaming level required. The challenge is that the silica must be partly, but not completely, hydrophobic. The defoaming is triggered when an oil/silica droplet merges into the air-water interface, when the oil spreads across the liquid-air interface, which is destabilized (the bubble bursts) by the ‘pin pricks’ provided by the silica. Compared to organic defoamers, silicone antifoam compounds are more effective and so require very low dosage levels because silicone oils have lower surface tensions and so spread better across the liquid-air interfaces.

Why use silicone compounds?

Revision Sheet

Technology

Silicone Compound

Definition

​Silicone antifoam compound consists of polydimethylsiloxane and hydrophobic particles (Silica).

General information

​Silicone antifoam compound is a white to gray flowing liquid with 100 ~1,000,000 cSt viscosity, 100 % active content (silicone oil + silica).

Typical properties

​Insoluble in water, low surface tension, very efficient to destroy bubbles in foaming media.

Structural units

​Silicone compound: PDMS + Silica

Processability

​The silicone compound could be formulated into an emulsion by using emulsifiers in order to destroy bubbles in aqueous media. The silicone compound can also be diluted in solvent when used in anhydrous media.

Application products

Pulp, Textile, Oil & gas, Agrochemicals, Detergent, Water treatment

Silicone antifoam in action

Let’s follow the path of a bottle of plastic placed in a recycle bin. Once they arrive in a treatment facility the recycled plastics have to go through multiple process stages, where foam can be a real problem. For example, when PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) and HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) containers such as water or milk bottles are recycled, they are washed at very high temperatures and flow rates, generating a great deal of foam. Silicone compounds converted into antifoam emulsions will provide a quick foam knockdown and long durability of the foam control. They are also appreciated for their good compatibility with different foaming medias.

Besides their long-lasting performance at low use levels (1 to 100 mg/kg), silicone antifoams are safe as they are chemically inert, they have a better resistance to heat and chemicals than ‘organic’ antifoams, they can be used across a wide range of pH range and are compliant with regulations.

Silicone School

Everything you need to know about silicone technologies.

Related applications

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Elkem' silicone compounds products

Our customers use compounds as antifoam emulsions for various industrial applications, including textiles, food processing, pulp & paper making, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, etc.

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