Foam stabilizer

Foam stabilizers (selection)
Lauric acid N , N - (2-hydroxyethyl) amide (main component of Cocamide DEA)
4-methyl-2-pentanol (MIBC)

A foam stabilizer is an additive used to extend the life of foams.

Application (selection)

personal hygiene

In personal care products such as shampoos, small amounts of foam stabilizers are added to the washing- active substances in order to prevent the foam from collapsing undesirably quickly during washing. Alkanoic acid- N , N -bis (hydroxyalkyl) -amides (fatty acid alkanolamides, e.g. Cocamide DEA) are often used for this.

Manufacture of polyurethane foams

In the production of polyurethane foam , foam stabilizers are added to the reactants polyisocyanate / polyol / water in addition to emulsifiers . The latter stabilize the foam that rises due to the formation of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) until it hardens. Special organosilicon compounds are used as foam stabilizers.

Flotation

Various substances and mixtures of substances are used in flotation to stabilize foam. These additives include

• Pine oil ,
• various alcohols such as 4-methyl-2-pentanol (MIBC), polyglycols and xylenols .

See also

• Defoamers , substances that are supposed to suppress foam formation.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Otto-Albrecht Neumüller (editor): Römpps Chemie Lexikon , Frank'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart, 1983, 8th edition, p. 3704, ISBN 3-440-04513-7 .
2. ↑ Hans-Dieter Jakubke, Ruth Karcher (coordinators): Encyclopedia of chemistry in three volumes, Spektrum Verlag, Heidelberg, Volume 3, 1999, ISBN 3-8274-0381-2 , S. 204th
3. ↑ ^{a b} Konrad Uhlig: Polyurethane Pocket Book , Carl Hanser Verlag Munich, Vienna, 1998, pp. 128-131, ISBN 3-446-18913-0 .