Section
| HS Code | 616264 |
| Product Name | XAF-102 |
| Chemical Type | Polyether-modified silicone defoamer |
| Active Content | 100% active |
| Physical Form | Liquid |
| Appearance | Translucent to light yellow viscous liquid |
| Viscosity At 25c | 1500-3500 mPa·s |
| Density At 25c | 0.98-1.03 g/cm³ |
| Ph 1 Percent Dispersion | 6.0-8.0 |
| Water Dispersibility | Self-disperses readily in water |
| Self Emulsifying | Yes, without additional surfactants |
| Ionic Character | Nonionic |
| Defoaming Performance | Rapid foam knock-down and prolonged foam suppression |
| Storage Temperature | 5-35°C |
| Shelf Life | 12 months in sealed original packaging |
As an accredited XAF-102 100% Active Self-Dispersing Polyether-Modified Silicone Defoamer factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Supplied in 25 kg plastic drums, sealed to prevent contamination, with clear labeling and safety documentation for handling. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL loading of XAF-102, a 100% active self-dispersing polyether-modified silicone defoamer, efficiently packed in drums for safe transport. |
| Shipping | XAF-102 ships in sealed, labeled containers via standard freight, palletized and secured. Non-hazardous for transport, but protect from freezing, direct heat, and moisture. Keep containers upright and dry. Use within stated shelf life; avoid prolonged storage above recommended temperatures to maintain defoamer performance. |
| Storage | Store XAF-102 in its tightly sealed original container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, extreme heat, and temperatures below 5°C or above 35°C to prevent separation or degradation. Keep away from oxidizing agents. If partially used, reseal immediately. Recommended shelf life is 12 months from manufacture date under proper storage conditions. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is 24 months from manufacture, provided it is stored in original, unopened containers at recommended temperatures. |
In waterborne architectural coatings formulated with styrene-acrylic, vinyl acetate-ethylene, or pure acrylic dispersions at pigment volume concentrations between 35% and 75%, microfoam entrainment during high-speed dispersion and letdown creates persistent surface pinholes in matte and silk finishes, reduces wet-film coverage, and complicates in-can density consistency. XAF-102 is a 100% active self-dispersing polyether-modified silicone defoamer; because no pre-emulsification is required, the material is introduced directly to the letdown vessel after the grind phase. The applicable compliance framework includes EU Directive 2004/42/EC Annex IIA water-borne wall and ceiling paint VOC limits, REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 for monomer and solvent residuals, and ASTM E2407-04 for foam-kill efficiency testing. The addition ratio is typically 0.05–0.30 wt% of finished paint; initial screening at 0.10 wt% is followed by 0.05 wt% stepwise increases under 400–800 rpm mixing, with drawdown checks after each increment. Downstream production on a manufacturing line uses a high-speed disperser with a disc blade tip speed of 15–25 m/s for pigment dispersion, followed by letdown at 1,000–1,500 rpm, bag filtration through 100–250 μm media, and filling. The compounding sequence is critical: adding the defoamer before the grind can subject the silicone-polyether chain to repeated shear and reduce its long-term foam-control reserve, while overdosing above 0.30 wt% can produce cratering, haze in gloss systems, and reduced intercoat adhesion. Batch-to-batch variation in wetting agent lots alters foam stability, so foam-height testing under ASTM E2407-04 using freshly drawn letdown is more predictive than retained laboratory samples. Terminal product types include interior matte wall paint, exterior silk and satin masonry coatings, water-based wood primers, and elastomeric roof coatings with 100–110 KU Stormer viscosity measured by ASTM D562-10.
High-speed gravure and flexographic ink letdown on low-surface-energy films develops microfoam during viscosity reduction with deionized water and alcohol blends, especially at printing speeds above 250 m/min on corona-treated polyethylene and polypropylene films. The defoamer is introduced after pH adjustment and before final solvent cut, because early addition to the grind can produce wetting interference and reduce colour strength development in media mills. The compliance environment for food-contact printed films includes EU Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 for packaging inks used in lamination, EuPIA Good Manufacturing Practice for printing inks intended for food contact, and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 for SVHC content verification. The addition ratio is 0.10–0.30 wt% of total ink varnish; low-viscosity inks below 18 s ISO 2431 4 mm cup flow time may require up to 0.50 wt%, but published data for this specific configuration is limited. Downstream production uses a variable-speed dissolver at 5–10 m/s peripheral speed, followed by filtration through 25–50 μm depth media and optionally vacuum deaeration before filling into 20–200 kg drums. Terminal product types include surface-print and lamination inks for BOPP, PET, metallized films, aluminium foil, and coated paperboard, with foam-related defects detected by ASTM E2407-04 and by roll-out on low-surface-energy substrates. Overdosing above 0.50 wt% can depress static surface tension and cause transfer roll starved-cell defects in anilox metering; defoamer persistence under high-shear pump circulation should be confirmed by press-side trial because laboratory foam-height data does not predict gravure ink tank residence time.
If slot-die adhesive coating is run above 100 m/min with a recirculated feed, foaming in the holding tank can lead to skipping and die-lip deposits when entrained air reaches the coating head. The applicable compliance framework for adhesive laminates in food packaging includes FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for components of adhesives in direct and indirect food contact, EU 10/2011 for plastic food-contact materials where the adhesive is behind a functional barrier, and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The addition ratio is 0.05–0.20 wt% of wet adhesive mass; starting trials at 0.08 wt% on coating viscosity of 800–2,000 mPa·s are recommended. Downstream processing on roll-to-roll coating lines uses slot-die or comma coating at line speeds of 50–300 m/min, drying tunnel temperatures between 80°C and 120°C, and lamination to silicone-coated release liner; the defoamer is added to the holding tank after viscosity adjustment, under gentle sweep agitation rather than high-shear dispersion. Terminal product types include permanent and removable water-based label adhesives, tamper-evident carton sealing tape, hygiene construction laminates, and window-film mounting adhesives. Operational boundaries include avoidance of pre-drying in high-humidity conditions above 60% RH without condensation protection, and avoidance of concurrent use with cationic wetting agents that can compete for interfacial activity and reduce defoamer efficiency. Overdosing above 0.20 wt% may migrate to the release liner and reduce peel adhesion measured by ASTM D3330/D3330M-04.
Paper and paperboard coating colour preparation at solids above 62% with kaolin and calcium carbonate slurries entrains air in the blade metering zone, generating scratches, coat weight variation, and streaks that are intensified when blade pressure falls below 0.8 kN/m at machine speeds above 600 m/min. The defoamer is introduced after final solids adjustment and before screening through 150 μm pressure screens, because addition earlier in the dispersion cycle can reduce slurry wettability and interfere with optical brightener distribution. The compliance framework for food-contact coated paper includes FDA 21 CFR 176.170 and 176.180 for paper and paperboard components in contact with aqueous and fatty foods, EU Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, and BfR Recommendation XXXVI for paper and board for food contact. The addition ratio is 0.05–0.25 wt% on dry pigment mass, with typical blade-coating formulations starting at 0.08–0.12 wt% and high-speed off-machine coaters requiring up to 0.20 wt% when carbonate content exceeds 80 parts per 100 parts pigment. Downstream production uses high-shear colour mixing stations, continuous jet cooking of starch, and blade metering at 600–1,200 m/min, followed by infrared and air-flotation drying to 4–7% final moisture. Terminal product types include coated publication paper, folding carton board, label face stock, repulpable barrier-coated packaging, and thermal paper base. Overdosing above 0.25 wt% can reduce surface strength measured by IGT pick resistance and lower print gloss; incompatibility with high levels of calcium stearate lubricant can produce white deposits on calender rolls, so mill trials must confirm deposit formation over a 4–8 h run.
For exhaust dyeing of polyester–cellulosic blends using high-turbulence jet machines at liquor ratios between 1:5 and 1:8, entrained foam causes fabric rope slippage, pump cavitation, and uneven disperse dye uptake at the jet nozzle. The defoamer is preconditioned as a 10–20% stock dispersion in cold demineralized water before being dosed into the preparation bath, because direct addition of a 100% active material to a hot jet bath can form gel-like droplets that deposit on fabric and heat-exchanger surfaces. The compliance framework for textile auxiliaries includes OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Annex 4 limit values for residual silicone and dyehouse effluent, ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List for wastewater discharge, and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII restrictions on certain siloxanes. The addition ratio is 0.2–1.0 g/L of treatment bath for jet dyeing, with most polyester–cotton exhaust cycles starting at 0.3 g/L; continuous pad-steam pigment dyeing may require 1.0–3.0 g/L in the pad trough, but published data for this specific configuration is limited. Downstream processing involves jet dyeing at 130°C for disperse dye exhaustion, reduction clearing at 70–85°C, subsequent reactive dyeing of the cellulosic component, and soaping at 95°C; the defoamer must be added to the cold bath before temperature ramp because foam entrained in the circulation pump at high temperature reduces liquor exchange. Terminal product types include dyed woven and knitted apparel fabrics, polyester–cotton workwear, bed linen, and technical fabrics for automotive interiors. Overdosing above 1.0 g/L can reduce fabric hydrophilicity, affect subsequent wicking tests, and deposit silicone residues on heat exchangers; compatibility with reactive dyebath electrolytes above 60 g/L sodium sulfate should be tested before production.
Central metalworking fluid systems operating with sump turnover times beyond 24 months, tramp oil loads above 2%, and return-line turbulence create high-foam recirculation at pump suction, leading to reduced cooling and lubrication at the tool–workpiece interface. The defoamer is added to the emulsifiable concentrate at the final stage after emulsifier and extreme-pressure additive incorporation, with concentrate temperature maintained between 40°C and 60°C to assure uniform dispersion. The compliance framework includes ISO 6743/7 classification for metalworking fluids, REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, and DIN 51360 for chip corrosion protection testing where relevant. The addition ratio is 0.02–0.20 wt% of concentrate, with system-side top-up at 0.05–0.10 vol% of diluted emulsion when foam height exceeds 10 mm in aeration tests. Downstream production blends the concentrate in 1,000–5,000 L vessels, then dilutes to 5–10% in demineralized or deionized water for central systems circulating at 1,000 L/min through multiple machine tools. Terminal product types include emulsions for milling and turning, semi-synthetic grinding coolants, deep-hole drilling oils, and drawing lubricants. Overdosing above 0.20 wt% can create hydrophobic residues on machined parts, reduce tramp oil coalescence, and interfere with optical part-washing; the defoamer should not be combined with amine-based corrosion inhibitors showing strong cationic charge because premature phase separation may occur in hard water above 300 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents.
Competitive XAF-102 100% Active Self-Dispersing Polyether-Modified Silicone Defoamer prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8615380400285 or mail to sales2@liwei-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8615380400285
Email: sales2@liwei-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
XAF-102 is the model designation for a 100% active self-dispersing polyether-modified silicone defoamer. The molecule consists of a polydimethylsiloxane core carrying polyether substituents that provide sufficient aqueous affinity to permit spontaneous droplet formation in water under low-shear agitation. Unlike conventional silicone emulsion defoamers, which are commonly supplied at active concentrations between 20% and 30% and contain an aqueous continuous phase, XAF-102 is supplied without intentionally added water, without preservative, and without thickener. The 100% active composition reduces the stored volume per unit of active defoamer, eliminates freeze-thaw separation of a water phase, and removes the need for a biocide in the defoamer itself. In aqueous formulations, XAF-102 functions as both defoamer and deaerator by creating a partially incompatible liquid interface that destabilizes foam lamellae. This controlled incompatibility is distinct from complete water solubility; the product is not a primary emulsifier, wetting agent, or solubilizer, and it should not be used as a replacement for substrate-wetting surfactants.
Table 1 lists the product acceptance metrics for lot release. Viscosity is determined by capillary flow at 25 °C using ASTM D445. Density is measured by oscillating U-tube instrumentation according to ISO 15212-1. Nonvolatile content is confirmed gravimetrically after 3 h at 105 °C under ISO 3251. Flash point is reported from ISO 2592 Cleveland open-cup measurements as a production consistency indicator. The values presented are target acceptance windows and do not supersede lot-specific certificates of analysis. Where a production lot must be adjusted within the stated limits, reference-sample performance testing against the prior approved lot is performed before release.
| Property | Test method | Acceptance window | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active content | ISO 3251 | ≥99.5 | % |
| Kinematic viscosity | ASTM D445 | 600–1,200 | mm²/s |
| Density | ISO 15212-1 | 1.04–1.07 | g/cm³ |
| Flash point | ISO 2592 | ≥200 | °C |
| Pour point | ISO 3016 | ≤ −10 | °C |
| pH of 1% dispersion | ISO 4316 | 6.0–8.0 | — |
In high-speed pigmented dispersion processes, microfoam retained after letdown produces haze and reduces 20° gloss in waterborne acrylic and styrene-acrylic coatings. The defoamer should be evaluated by a dose-ladder at 0.05 wt%, 0.10 wt%, 0.20 wt%, and 0.30 wt% of finished batch weight; the lowest level that eliminates visible macrofoam and maintains the required coating appearance is selected. Addition is typically split between the pigment grind and the letdown stage. The grind portion is added before high-shear dispersion with a Cowles blade at tip speeds of 5–12 m/s; the letdown portion is added after the binder latex is incorporated, under lower-shear mixing. This split feed prevents overdose in the grind from creating oil exudation, while maintaining macrofoam knock-down in the final fill line.
Because the product is 100% active, a gravimetric or volumetric dosing tolerance of ±0.02 wt% is used in production; larger deviations in high-gloss topcoats can generate film defects that appear only after oven cure. Batch-to-batch variance in defoamer performance is reduced when dispersion conditions are held constant. Drawdown films are applied to sealed Leneta charts and measured for specular gloss at 20° per ISO 2813 and haze per ISO 13803. An acceptance criterion frequently used in production is retention of gloss within 1.0 unit of the defoamer-free control and no crater count exceeding 0 on the chart. This criterion is suitable for architectural topcoats; for clear wood coatings, additional visual assessment under reflected light may be required because haze alone does not fully describe the depth of image.
In water-based flexographic and gravure ink recirculation lines, foam in the return tank can produce print voids and uneven anilox wetting. The product is pre-dispersed at 0.05–0.15 wt% in the ink vehicle before addition of the pigment concentrate. The recirculation loop should be equipped with a filter screen of 60–100 µm; accumulated foam on the screen is an indicator of underdosing or excessive hydrophobicity drift in the ink. In metalworking fluid concentrates, the defoamer is added at the end of the blending sequence under moderate agitation; the mixture should remain clear-to-slightly-hazy after 24 h, and an oily surface layer after static storage indicates incompatible addition. Aqueous pigment concentrates, emulsion adhesives, textile finishing baths, paper coatings, and wastewater treatment have been cited in product application literature as general defoaming situations. Published data for XAF-102 in high-temperature fermentation systems is limited, and dose-response work in such systems should not be replaced by analogy to coatings.
Conventional silicone emulsion defoamers contain an oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by surfactants and thickeners. Storage below 0 °C can rupture the emulsion droplets, producing oil separation and variable dosing. XAF-102 does not contain a water phase and therefore is not subject to that failure mode; its pour point is ≤ −10 °C. Compared with mineral-oil defoamers, the polysiloxane component provides lower surface tension at the air-water interface, which generally supports defoaming at lower addition levels. However, the lower surface tension also increases cratering risk if the defoamer is overdosed; mineral-oil products are sometimes more forgiving in low-gloss industrial primers but may introduce hydrophobic surface contamination. Compared with fully water-soluble polyether polyol defoamers, XAF-102 remains partially incompatible with the continuous phase. This partial incompatibility preserves a reservoir of insoluble droplet interface that can migrate to foam lamellae. A fully soluble polyether may become solubilized in high-surfactant formulations and lose defoaming activity. No single defoamer chemistry is universally superior; selection is governed by the foam-stabilizing surfactant system, the shear history, the drying temperature, and the surface-appearance specification of the finished article.
| Attribute | XAF-102 | Conventional silicone emulsion | Mineral oil defoamer | Polyether polyol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active content | 100% | 20–30% | 100% | 100% |
| Dispersion in water | Self-dispersing under low shear | Pre-emulsified; may phase-separate | Requires mechanical emulsification | Water-soluble |
| Freeze-thaw stability | No water phase; pour point ≤ −10 °C | Potential emulsion rupture below 0 °C | No water phase; may thicken | No water phase |
| Typical addition level in waterborne coatings | 0.05–0.30 wt% | 0.1–0.5 wt% as supplied | 0.2–0.6 wt% | 0.2–1.0 wt% |
| Cratering tendency at overdosage | Dose-dependent; moderate | Dose-dependent; moderate to high | High | Low to moderate |
Production lines that recirculate aqueous formulations through gear pumps, filters, and heat exchangers subject the defoamer to shear rates that can vary from 10 s⁻¹ in a return tank to more than 10,000 s⁻¹ in a homogenizer. A defoamer that is effective at low shear may be over-emulsified into submicron droplets under high shear; the resulting droplet population can reduce macrofoam collapse and contribute to haze. Conversely, a droplet population that is too coarse can accumulate on filters and create surface craters. The droplet size distribution of the diluted product should therefore be measured after the point of final shear using laser diffraction according to ISO 13320. For release testing, the product is dispersed in deionized water at 0.1 wt% using a magnetic stirrer at 300 min⁻¹ for 10 min. The volumetric median droplet diameter D50 is maintained within 1–10 µm, and D90 is maintained at ≤ 30 µm. Values outside this window are rejected because coarse droplets increase cratering risk and fine droplets reduce knock-down efficiency.
In recirculating flexographic ink lines, coarse defoamer droplets can accumulate on filter media and cause flow restriction. A D90 above 30 µm is identified as a rejection limit to prevent this field failure. The product is not added directly to a running pump suction without dilution because localized high concentration can exceed the self-dispersing capacity and form oil rafts. It is pre-diluted in a side tank at 1:5 to 1:10 with ambient water before injection into the recirculation line. Long-term storage stability of the supplied material is considered acceptable when stored in closed containers at 5–40 °C. The material may thicken slightly below 10 °C; this is a viscosity effect and does not indicate chemical degradation. Before sampling, the material is homogenized by low-shear rolling or gentle agitation; direct steam heating is not used because localized overheating above 80 °C can cause polyether cleavage.
For anhydrous solventborne formulations that lack a water phase, the self-dispersing mechanism is not available, and the product may require solvent pre-dilution or high-shear mechanical emulsification. The product should not be used with concentrated oxidizing agents or with strongly alkaline aqueous phases above pH 11 during prolonged storage above 40 °C, because siloxane and polyether linkages may undergo hydrolytic degradation. At pH below 3, the same limitation applies. Accelerated stability testing at 40 °C for 28 days is recommended before specification in acid-catalyzed coating systems or oxidative bleaching baths. If food-contact use is proposed, no clearance should be inferred from the standard technical data; compliance under FDA 21 CFR 175.300 or relevant EU food-contact regulation must be confirmed with supplier documentation for the specific formulation and extraction conditions. EU and global restricted-substance evaluations should be requested against Regulation 1907/2006 (REACH) and Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS) for the intended jurisdiction. The product is not classified as a wetting agent, and its presence at high addition levels may lower the surface tension of the continuous phase sufficiently to affect substrate wetting in ways that are not beneficial.
