Foaming Agent

A chemical which facilities the process of forming foam and enables it with the ability to support its integrity by giving strength to each single bubble of foam is known as foaming agent. It may categorize in two parts Protein and Synthetic.

Uses and formation: Protein based is commonly used for the low density and for higher densities synthetic foaming agents were preferred. Foam can create through forcing the chemical, air and water by restriction which results foam formation. Synthetic foam requires less energy while protein foams need more. Energy required during the foam formation decides its quality.

Protein Based Foaming Agent

It made to form light weight concrete and other concrete materials. Foam produce no reaction on concrete but it serves as a layer which is air trapped and forms no fumes or toxic. Protein based foaming agent requires comparatively more energy to make foam. It is prepared with raw material in presence of Ca(OH)2 and a small portion of NaHSO3. For improving the stability of foaming agent it is modified with the addition of several kinds of gel and surfactants. Few significant improve the workability of foaming agent such as addition of alkyl benzene sulfonate etc.

Synthetic Foaming Agent

CLC concrete has very good potential which helps to structure the cellular lightweight applications. Using right category of foaming agent makes a huge difference in products such as the mechanical properties of concrete and it resistance etc. Synthetic foaming agents are such chemicals which reduce the surface tension of liquid and commonly used globally to make blocks, bricks, CLC concrete etc where the high density is needed and it requires less energy for formation as compared to other foaming agents. It is highly recommended to use in the constructional fields where requirement of light weight concrete is increasing by time.