FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Selection, dosage and ordering questions about defoamers, dispersants, water repellents and leveling agents — answered.
How do defoamers eliminate foam?
A defoamer spreads rapidly across the foam lamella, lowers local surface tension and causes the film to thin and rupture; its hydrophobic particles then suppress foam re-formation. Chemi Tech's KM series (silicone, polyether and mineral oil) delivers fast knockdown and long-lasting foam control for water treatment, coatings, fermentation and industrial cleaning.
How do I choose between silicone, polyether and mineral oil defoamers?
Match by process conditions — silicone defoamers give the strongest knockdown at low dosage and suit high-temperature, high-shear systems; polyether defoamers offer excellent compatibility with no oil separation, ideal for clarity-sensitive aqueous systems; mineral oil defoamers are low-cost for general aqueous use. Chemi Tech offers sample-based trials so our engineers can match the optimal grade to your temperature, pH and system type.
What is the typical dosage of a defoamer? What happens if I overdose?
Typical dosage is 0.01%–0.3% of total system weight. Too little leaves residual foam; too much may cause cratering, haze or reduced adhesion. Chemi Tech recommends starting from the minimum effective level and ramping up gradually.
Why does my defoamer fail under high temperature or high shear?
High temperature can break the emulsion structure of some silicone defoamers, while high shear shatters the defoamer particles, reducing foam suppression. Choose a heat-resistant grade (e.g. Chemi Tech KM-1900 series) and apply by continuous dosing or split addition; we can also custom-formulate for extreme conditions.
What does a dispersant do for pigments and fillers?
A dispersant adsorbs onto pigment and filler surfaces and prevents agglomeration through electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance, reducing viscosity, preventing settling and improving color strength. Chemi Tech's KMK series suits titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate and carbon black systems, markedly improving colorant flow and storage stability.
Are your water repellents fluorinated? Do you offer fluorine-free options?
Conventional water repellents are often fluorinated and offer strong water and oil repellency but raise environmental compliance concerns. Chemi Tech's KMF fluorine-free series contains no PFOA/PFOS, meets global environmental standards and suits textiles, construction and leather.
Can leveling agents cause cratering or orange peel?
Leveling agents themselves do not cause craters, but wrong selection or incompatibility with resins and other additives can. Chemi Tech's KMP series (acrylic and silicone types) is matched to your resin system, and we recommend a compatibility trial first to avoid craters, orange peel and brush marks.
Can I request a free sample?
Yes. Chemi Tech provides free samples for lab-scale evaluation. Send us your process parameters (temperature, system, pH, application) and our engineers will respond within 2 working hours and arrange shipment.
What is the MOQ? Do you support customization and OEM?
Our MOQ is flexible and we support small-batch trial orders. With 3,000+ proven formulations, Chemi Tech customizes formulas based on your sample testing and process requirements, and provides ODM/OEM manufacturing.
What is the lead time? Is capacity guaranteed?
Standard grades ship within 3–5 days; custom grades within 7–15 days. Chemi Tech operates a 30,000 m² production base with 6,000 tons monthly capacity and a global supply chain for reliable delivery.