Most agricultural formulations rely on surfactants for their performance, yet the presence of these surfactants
can lead to the formation of unwanted foam during application. Since the most important characteristic of a
surfactant is to accumulate at the air/liquid interface, all too often the stabilization of entrained air is an undesired
side effect leading to foaming.
Foaming can occur during manufacturing and packaging, but normally the majority of the problems occur during field
applications and it is usually first noticed when the spray tank is opened for refilling. If foam control is desired
or required in the field it is possible for the applicator to add a defoamer. For such applications or needs, the
BREAK-THRU DF line of defoamers offers a series of products that are efficient, easy to use and stable.
To avoid foam from the very beginning, an antifoam can be added to the formulation. But selecting an antifoam for
inclusion in the product is a delicate balance between compatibility and performance. An antifoam that is too
compatible in the formulation may quickly loose its efficacy because of its solubility in the bulk phase. To work,
antifoams must be able to reach the air/water interface. If it is too soluble in the product this functionality is
lost. Since individual formulations contain different actives, solvents and surfactants, universal solutions to
the problem do not exist. However, BREAK-THRU antifoam agents are very robust in their performance and have found
application in numerous products. For example, BREAK-THRU AF 9903 shows both compatibility and performance in
glyphosate formulations. Please contact us to discuss your specific application.
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