Antifoams are materials which prevent foam formation. Defoamers are materials which breaks existing foam. In both cases the materials must meet the following requirements:
- low surface tension
- insolubility in foaming system
- inert, odourless, low volatility
- effective at low concentrations

Antifoams are used primarily in the scouring, dyeing and finishing stages of fabrics manufacture. Products here fall into 3 main categories: fluids, compounds and emulsions. Fluids are based on polydimethyl siloxanes. Viscosities range form 350 cps to 1000 cps, typically. Compound such as AF100% is composed of 350 cps. These fluids and compounds are generally used used by formulators of textile antifoams and defoamers. For high temperature applications and improved compatibility with dye liquors, silicone polyether fluids are preferred to standard pdms fluids. Jet Dyeing is partidularly important because it enables the manufacturer to process fabircs much quicker.

With the traditional Foulard process, only the fabric is in motion, in the Jet Dye process, both the fabric and the bath liqour is in motion. Due to an increase in speed of processing fabrics in aqueous environments, foaming can easily become an issue.

For both fluids and compounds, application for non-aqueous systems is achieved by predilution in an organinc solvent (aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons) systems. When fluid/compound is to be used in aqueous systems it must first be emulsified. Emulsions are generally composed of: AF compound, water, emulsifiers, biocides, thickeners. Standard antifoam emulsions such as AF30, AF20 and AF10 tend to be used by end users directly.

The choice of a 10, 20 or 30% silicone emulsion depends on whether the end user has an accurate means of dosing. If they do then a high solids product, AF30 is a good choice. If they do not, then AF10 is more appropraite and will prevent wastage of silicone. For high temperature, and high alkaline conditions, Antifoam Pulp 10% or 20% is more appropriate. This product also functions a lower cost jet dye antifoam.