Foam Control

Controlling foam in process and in application, can be an important challenge for formulation chemists. Certain types of nonionic surfactants are intrinsically low- or non-foaming and can function as defoamers, or even as anti-foamers. Such surfactants can offer multi-functional benefits such as cleaning and wetting, while also helping to control foam. Nonionic surfactants such as Stepan's MAKON Ethylene Oxide-Propylene Oxide Block Copolymers can exhibit low foam behavior, particularly when the temperature is above the surfactant’s cloud point and the surfactant is of low hydrophilic/lipophilic balance. In addition, alcohol alkoxylates such as MAKON NF-12, and amide alkoxylates such as MAKON NF-5, are specifically designed to exhibit low foam performance by means of incorporation of optimized amounts of PO in combination with EO. Foaming behavior is often dependent on conditions that are specific to formulation and application. For applications such as clean-in-place and machine dishwash, a relevant evaluation of foaming behavior will include high shear conditions, elevated temperatures, and the presence of alkalinity and protein-rich food soil such as egg white. For your convenience, surfactant properties such as Ross-Miles foaming, HLB, and cloud point can be found in the Stepan Alkoxylate Product Guide, located within the Stepan website, as well as in product bulletins. Foam control is another example of a potential challenge faced by formulators. Turn to Stepan as your partner in solving formulation challenges.