Section
| HS Code | 943415 |
| Appearance | Milky white liquid |
| Defoamer Type | Silicone emulsion |
| Active Silicone Content | 30% |
| Nonvolatile Content | 30% |
| Viscosity 25 C | 1000 mPa·s |
| Ph 25 C | 7 |
| Specific Gravity 25 C | 1.0 |
| Ionic Character | Nonionic |
| Dispersibility | Readily disperses in water |
| Diluent | Water |
| Emulsifier Type | Nonionic surfactant |
| Storage Stability | Stable when stored sealed at 5-35°C |
| Foaming Suppression Performance | Excellent for dyeing and textile processing |
As an accredited KM-98 Dyeing-Grade Silicone Antifoam Emulsion factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Packaged in 25 kg, 50 kg, or 200 kg drums, ensuring safe handling and convenient use of KM-98 Dyeing-Grade Silicone Antifoam Emulsion. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: KM-98 antifoam in sealed drums, palletized and secured to prevent shifting, ensuring stable, safe container transport. |
| Shipping | KM-98 Dyeing-Grade Silicone Antifoam Emulsion is shipped in sealed, corrosion-resistant containers (e.g., drums, IBCs) to prevent leakage. Classified as non-hazardous under typical transport regulations, it requires no special hazard labeling. Protect from freezing, extreme heat, and direct sunlight during transit to maintain product stability. |
| Storage | Store KM-98 Dyeing-Grade Silicone Antifoam Emulsion in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat, sparks, and open flames. Keep the container tightly sealed when not in use. Avoid exposure to freezing temperatures, as this may destabilize the emulsion. Ensure separation from strong oxidizing agents and incompatible materials. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is 12 months from manufacture date when stored in original sealed container, avoiding freezing and direct sunlight. |
In high-temperature jet dyeing of woven and knit polyester using disperse dyestuffs at 130–135°C, foam generated in the jet venturi and main pump intake creates rope crease marks, pump cavitation, and dye unlevelness. The dye bath carries lignosulfonate dispersing agents and condensation-product levelling agents that depress surface tension and delay foam rupture inside the high-pressure circulation system. KM-98 is introduced as an as-supplied emulsion at 0.01–0.1% on weight of bath (o.w.b.), typically split into two doses: 50% before the disperse dye dispersion is added and 50% before the first heat ramp to 130°C. The emulsion is pre-diluted 1:5–1:10 with process water; direct injection of undiluted emulsion into a high-speed circulation line can generate silicone deposits on polyester that are later identified by solvent extraction and ATR-FTIR. Compliance for this route requires the formulation to sit within ZDHC MRSL Version 3.1 cyclic siloxane limits, with D4/D5/D6 each below 0.1% w/w, and finished goods are routinely screened against OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Annex 4, Product Class II. The downstream process operates at liquor ratios of 1:5–1:12; machines with venturi throat shear above 10,000 s−1 can destabilize the emulsion if the dose is introduced too close to the venturi throat. Operational boundary: residual alkaline pre-scour liquor above pH 9 should be neutralized with acetic acid before dosing, because alkaline hydrolysis accelerates droplet coalescence and reduces defoaming at the same addition ratio. Terminal finished product types include polyester activewear, automotive seat covers, and curtain fabrics. Foam-height measurement according to ASTM D3519-19 on production samples provides comparative process control; exact foam suppression varies with dye auxiliaries and machine geometry.
Air entrainment in package machines handling cellulosic yarns is driven by high electrolyte loading and flow reversal through densely wound conical packages. KM-98 is added at 0.02–0.12 g/L of dyebath, before 40–100 g/L sodium sulfate and 5–20 g/L soda ash are introduced; pre-dilution 1:10 with softened water is preferred because concentrated salt compresses the electrical double layer around silicone droplets and can induce creaming. If the emulsion is dosed after the electrolyte, salt-induced creaming forms a separate oil phase that deposits on the inner package layer and raises differential pressure across the spindle. The downstream production process uses package density between 0.35 and 0.45 kg/dm³, flow reversal at process-controlled intervals, and reactive dye fixation at 60–80°C in the exhaust phase. Compliance for this route is anchored to ZDHC MRSL Version 3.1 and, where organic fiber is used, GOTS Version 7.0 approved chemical input criteria. Finished goods are tested for wash fastness according to ISO 105-C06:2010. Terminal finished product types include cotton and viscose yarns for circular knit garments, terry towels, and socks. A process conflict arises when the spindle differential pressure already exceeds 0.5 bar before dosing; in that state, KM-98 cannot correct foam-induced permeability loss, and the package must be resorted or the pump ramp derated.
Immediately after the squeeze rolls press the pad liquor into the cotton web, foam trapped in the pad trough on continuous pad-steam ranges can cause face-to-back shading and uneven dye pickup. KM-98 is metered into the pad trough at 0.1–0.3 g/L of padding liquor and must remain stable under the shear of the squeeze rolls; padder settings of 60–80% pickup and roll hardness of 65–75 Shore A are common. The downstream process for vat or reactive dye systems includes padder, infrared predry, steamer at 102°C saturated steam for 45–90 s, and open-width washing compartments; foam entering the predry or steamer can disrupt dye fixation and create oxidized vat-dye specks. Compliance is maintained against OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and the same ZDHC MRSL Version 3.1 cyclic siloxane ceiling used in exhaust routes. Terminal finished product types include woven shirting, workwear, and bed sheeting. The main operational boundary is excessive dosing above 0.5 g/L, which can interfere with dye penetration at the nip and produce a silicone film on the padder rolls; published data for this specific configuration is limited, but padder roll contamination is observable as dye liquor repellency during shade changeover.
Pigment dyeing of medium-to-heavy woven cellulosic fabrics uses aqueous pigment dispersions and acrylic or styrene-butadiene binder emulsions whose surfactant loads produce foam during trough circulation and mixing. The addition ratio for KM-98 is 0.05–0.2% on total pad formulation weight, introduced before the binder is added to avoid destabilizing the binder film and creating microvoids in the padded layer. The downstream production process is pad-dry-cure: padded at 60–80% pickup, dried at 105–120°C, and cured at 150–160°C for 2–5 min. Because silicone migrates to the film-air interface during drying, excess addition above 0.3% can lower crockfastness and produce surface defects in the cured binder. The terminal finished product types include upholstery, canvas, luggage fabrics, and wall covering substrates. Compliance is verified by ZDHC MRSL Version 3.1 for the chemical formulation and by AATCC TM8-2022 for dry crockfastness of the cured pigment film. Production trials are required to set the lower functional dose for each pigment/binder system, particularly with phthalocyanine blue and carbon black dispersions that differ in wetting agent load.
Under acidic conditions at pH 4.5–5.5, wool beam dyeing with acid or metal-complex dyes uses ethoxylated fatty amine levelling agents that stabilize foam against the beam circulation pump. KM-98 is dosed at 0.01–0.05% o.w.b. as supplied after the acid donor and before the levelling agent is fully dispersed; dosing in reverse order can produce a grease-like coalesced layer on the beam wrapper because the levelling agent competes for the oil/water interface. The downstream process runs on beam machines at 98°C for wool and 110–115°C for nylon or wool/nylon blends, with inside-out circulation reversed to prevent filter cake formation and maintain leveling across the beam. Compliance for this route includes bluesign BSSL chemical limits and ZDHC MRSL Version 3.1. Terminal finished product types include worsted suiting, wool/nylon coating textiles, and nylon taffeta for linings. An operational boundary is avoiding combinations with strong amphoteric surfactants above pH 8, because these can invert the emulsion and leave a deposit on the beam wrapper and spindle seals.
Garment rotary drum machines present a different shear regime than package or jet equipment; foam is generated by detergent residues, wetting agents, and low-speed paddle rotation rather than high-shear venturi flow. KM-98 is added at 0.03–0.08 g/L of bath, pre-diluted and injected through the drum feed line as the machine reaches 40–60°C. The downstream production process is garment dyeing of cotton denim, jersey garments, or blended articles in overhead paddle or rotary drum machines at liquor ratios of 1:8–1:15. Terminal finished product types include dyed denim apparel, casual jersey garments, and washed-down fashion pieces. Compliance requires the bath chemicals to satisfy OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Product Class I for infant garments, and ZDHC MRSL Version 3.1. In low-shear machines, overdosing above 0.1 g/L can produce emulsion creaming on the water surface that transfers to zipper tapes and seams; the lower end of the dose range is used for short-liquor ratio runs below 1:10.
Competitive KM-98 Dyeing-Grade Silicone Antifoam Emulsion 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!
KM-98 is a nonionic water-thinnable silicone antifoam emulsion formulated for foam control in dyeing equipment where high shear, high temperature, and high electrolyte concentrations destabilize conventional defoamers. The product is supplied as a milky white liquid with a typical silicone active content of 20–30% by mass and a water-continuous phase. It is intended for use in jet dyeing, package dyeing, beam dyeing, and continuous pad dyeing of polyester, cotton, polyamide, and blends. The primary function is to reduce foam generated by residual spinning oils, dyeing auxiliaries, and surfactant systems. KM-98 is distinguished from general-purpose silicone emulsions by a controlled median particle size and an emulsifier system selected for shear stability; these properties reduce the tendency for silicone oil spotting on dyed fabric.
Foam in a jet dyeing machine is stabilized by surface-active agents and by hydrophobic impurities from fiber preparation. Silicone antifoam action depends on entry, spreading, and film bridging at the air–water interface. KM-98 is manufactured with a median particle size D50 ≤ 10 µm and D90 ≤ 25 µm, measured by ISO 13320. This droplet-size window allows rapid foam-film penetration without the coarse droplets that can coalesce into hydrophobic deposits under high nozzle shear. If the droplet size exceeds 40 µm, the emulsion is more likely to rupture in the pump and produce localized silicone spots on fabric surfaces. Conversely, an emulsion with a median size below 1 µm may remain too stable in the foam film and show slower foam collapse. The controlled droplet-size distribution is therefore treated as a specification boundary.
In low-liquor-ratio jet machines operating at liquor ratios of 1:5 to 1:8, the emulsion is exposed to nozzle pressures of 1.5–3.0 bar and fabric speeds of 200–600 m/min. Foam generation is intensified by entrained air and by residual hydrophobic sizing or spin finish. KM-98 is added as a pre-diluted emulsion, typically 1:5 to 1:10 with process water at 25–40 °C, before the bath is heated above 50 °C. Direct injection of undiluted product into a bath above 70 °C may cause localized demulsification and silicone deposition because the nonionic emulsifier shell loses hydration at elevated temperature. The emulsion’s apparent viscosity is 500–1500 mPa·s at 25 °C, measured by ISO 2555. This viscosity range is compatible with piston and diaphragm dosing pumps but resists rapid creaming in storage. Published data for the exact shear-stability limit in nozzle shear fields above 3.5 bar is limited; plant-scale trials are required before use in such equipment.
The emulsion exhibits pseudoplastic behavior at low shear but remains free-flowing in dosing lines. Under shear rates of 100–500 s-1, viscosity decreases, which is desirable for injection into circulating liquor. However, under prolonged shear above 10,000 s-1 in high-speed centrifugal pumps, droplet coalescence may begin, and the product should be injected downstream of the main circulation pump where possible. The upper temperature boundary for polyester disperse dyeing is 130–135 °C. At this temperature, the water phase is under pressure and the silicone oil viscosity decreases, which can reduce film stability if the emulsion is not adequately protected. KM-98 is designed to maintain defoaming activity through a 30–45 min hold at 130 °C; however, in alkaline reactive dyeing at 98 °C and pH 11–12, prolonged exposure beyond 60 min may reduce emulsion integrity, especially when electrolyte levels exceed 80 g/L of sodium sulfate or sodium chloride. The addition point should therefore be after alkali dosing and after dyestuff is fully dissolved, but before the bath reaches the foam-initiation temperature of approximately 60 °C.
The typical release specification for KM-98 is given in Table 1. These values are used for batch release and incoming quality control.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual | Milky white liquid |
| pH | ASTM E70-19 | 6.5–8.5 |
| Viscosity | ISO 2555 | 500–1500 mPa·s at 25 °C |
| Density | ISO 2811-1 | 0.98–1.02 g/cm³ |
| Non-volatile matter | ISO 3251 | 20–30% by mass |
| Active silicone content | Internal extraction and gravimetric analysis | 20–30% by mass |
| Median particle size D50 | ISO 13320 | ≤ 10 µm |
| Ionic character | Electrophoretic mobility | Nonionic |
| Storage stability | Visual after 12 months | No separation or gelation |
The nonionic character of the emulsion allows co-formulation with anionic, nonionic, and disperse dyeing auxiliaries without gross precipitation. Compatibility with strongly cationic fixing agents, cationic leveling agents, or cationic softeners in the same bath is limited; charge reversal can thin or break the emulsion and produce hydrophobic silicone spots. The product should not be premixed with concentrated acids, oxidizing agents, or reducing agents. If a cationic auxiliary is required, a separate bath stage is used. In reactive dyeing of cotton, the bath contains 40–80 g/L sodium sulfate and 10–20 g/L sodium carbonate. The high ionic strength compresses the electrical double layer and can destabilize emulsions. KM-98 is formulated with a nonionic emulsifier that is relatively tolerant of electrolyte, but the product should be diluted with soft water before addition because hard water above 300 ppm calcium carbonate can contribute to demulsification. If water hardness exceeds 300 ppm, dilution with softened water is required.
Storage is specified at 5–40 °C in sealed containers. Freeze-thaw cycles are not recommended because ice crystal formation can rupture the emulsion; if freezing occurs, the product may not recover its original particle-size distribution and should not be used without a plant trial. Shelf life is 12 months in unopened containers. The product is formulated without alkylphenol ethoxylates and contains no substances of very high concern above 0.1% w/w under REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. ZDHC MRSL conformance screening should be confirmed for the specific production batch because brand-level restrictions vary.
| Property | KM-98 | Conventional silicone emulsion | Mineral-oil defoamer | Polyether defoamer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median particle size D50 | ≤ 10 µm | 20–40 µm | not applicable | not applicable |
| Foam collapse time at 25 °C | 15–25 s | 10–20 s | 25–40 s | 60–120 s |
| Foam carryover through pump loop | low | moderate | high | high |
| Silicone oil spotting after 3 cycles at 130 °C | not observed | visible spots | not applicable | not observed |
| High-temperature persistence at 130 °C | maintained for 30–45 min | maintained for 10–20 min | reduced below 100 °C | reduced above 100 °C |
The data in Table 2 are typical laboratory evaluations for a 0.5 g/L addition in a recirculating pump loop with a back pressure of 0.5 bar and a bath temperature ramp from 25 °C to 130 °C over 40 min. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, and results on production machines may vary with fabric type, dye bath contaminants, and machine geometry. Compared with standard silicone emulsions, KM-98 is manufactured with a finer droplet size and a shear-stable nonionic emulsifier system. This reduces coalescence of silicone droplets under nozzle shear and lowers the tendency to form oil spots. Compared with mineral-oil defoamers, it does not introduce aliphatic oil into the waste stream and does not yellow fabric during high-temperature drying. Compared with silicone polyether defoamers, it has stronger foam-kill capacity per unit addition but requires more precise metering and is not self-emulsifying in cold water; pre-dilution is mandatory.
Foam control in package dyeing is distinct from jet dyeing because the liquor is pumped through yarn packages with differential pressure typically 0.5–1.0 bar and flow is reversed every 1–3 min. In this configuration, foam can cause pump cavitation, uneven liquor distribution, and dyeing unlevelness. KM-98 is introduced at 0.1–0.3 g/L for cotton reactive dyeing and 0.2–0.5 g/L for polyester disperse dyeing, calculated on total bath volume. The lower addition is used for high-liquor-ratio equipment above 1:10, while the upper addition is used for low-liquor-ratio package machines below 1:6. Excessive addition above 0.5 g/L in package dyeing increases the risk of residual silicone deposition on yarn surfaces because the package acts as a depth filter, especially when bath pH exceeds 10.5.
In beam dyeing, liquor is forced through a stationary fabric beam. The pressure drop across the beam can reach 0.8–1.5 bar, and air pockets trapped between fabric layers generate foam that reduces flow uniformity. KM-98 is added at 0.2–0.4 g/L before loading the beam, and a portion is metered during the cycle if foam develops during the cooling phase. Foam in beam dyeing is particularly critical because it can produce edge-to-center shade variation and uneven penetration. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, and the addition level should be confirmed by a dye penetration trial with a water-soluble dye marker.
In continuous pad-dyeing and pad-steam processes, foam in the trough changes fabric pickup and can generate shade variation. KM-98 is metered into the pad trough at 0.5–3.0 g/L. At padder roll pressure of 2–4 bar and running speeds of 40–80 m/min, the emulsion is added by continuous dosing rather than batch addition, because batch addition can produce a temporary excess that deposits on the fabric. Do not use KM-98 in finishing pad baths that are followed by coating, printing, or lamination without intermediate washing, because residual silicone may reduce adhesion.
When KM-98 is substituted for a mineral-oil defoamer in a continuous pad-steam line for reactive dyeing, the required concentration is typically 0.5–1.5 g/L rather than the 2.0–5.0 g/L commonly used for mineral-oil products. The lower mass addition is possible because the silicone active material has higher foam-breaking capacity per unit mass. However, the replacement requires close monitoring of pad trough level because the emulsion is less tolerant of prolonged residence time in the trough than a mineral-oil product. If the trough holds 80 L and the liquor turnover is 20 L/min, the residence time is 4 min; at this residence time, no separation is expected. Residence times above 30 min may produce a cream layer, and the trough should be agitated continuously.
Replacement of a polyether defoamer in an open-width washing line after reactive dyeing requires attention to residual foam persistence. Polyether defoamers often have slower foam collapse but are less likely to produce hydrophobic deposits; KM-98 is faster but may leave a low level of silicone residue. If the fabric is subsequently dried and finished without washing, a laboratory trial is required to confirm that the dried fabric does not show water repellency or print adhesion loss. When KM-98 is used in a scouring and bleaching line, the addition point is typically after the peroxide stabilizer and before the steamer, at 0.2–1.0 g/L, depending on foam height and machine speed.
