Anti foams – hard coats and release agents

Anti foams

In many processes, foam formation can cause problems. With the right anti foam, problem-free manufacturing is obtained and energy loss is minimised.

A good defoaming agent must be inert, possess low surface tension, resist changes in pH value, disperse well into the system but not dissolve and should also be able to be used when, for instance, food contact approvals are required. Silicone-based anti foams have been shown to meet all of these requirements simultaneously. Moreover, they are generally 10 to 50 times more effective compared, for example, with alcohols and other organic alternatives, both at knocking down any existing foam and at preventing formation of new foam. Nor are they consumed to the same extent as other types of anti foams, which means that the total costs for combating foam are minimised.

We can offer both water-based and completely water-free anti foams for manufacturers of print inks, beauty products, biofuels, foodstuffs, petrochemicals and hard plastic resins, etc.

Release agents

Release agents are needed for almost all form casting as well as in the manufacture of products such as labels and other printed matter, and here silicones have unbeatable performance thanks to their high release effect. Choose between curing or non-curing release agents. Several of these are totally solvent free and cure, where applicable, with either heat or UV light.

Silicone emulsions are economic and simple to use as release agents. They have excellent properties in, for example, rubber, plastic and cable manufacturing. Since they are water-based, they will not cause any work environment problems.

Hard coat

Silicone hard coats are used to protect sensitive plastics or coated surfaces, mainly from wear and tear due to sharp objects or abrasion. Typical areas of use for hard coats are automotive exterior headlamps and body trim kits, hoods on motorcycles and display windows in mobile telephones – that is to say, products where good appearance plays a significant role for the user.

By coating the surface, UV light is prevented from reaching the plastic. Many plastics are sensitive to UV light and risk bleaching or decomposing rapidly in normal sunlight, if the surface is not protected with silicone lacquer. Resistance to solvents and other chemicals is also significantly improved. A silicone hard coat is completely transparent and gives an attractive shiny surface, pleasant to the touch and impossible to scrape away.

Thanks to the high release effect obtained with silicones, it is also very easy to clean fingerprints and dirt from the surface.