Addivion SURF 53 is a silicone- and polymer-containing defoamer and air release additive built on a solution of foam-destroying polymers and polysiloxanes, formulated for solvent-borne and solvent-free coatings, ambient-curing and pultrusion plastic systems, and adhesives and sealants. It is particularly recommended for epoxy resin systems, where it reduces foam and entrapped air during both manufacture and processing.
Addivion SURF 53 Overview
Addivion SURF 53 belongs to the family of silicone- and polymer-containing defoamers, in which foam-destroying polymers combine with a polysiloxane component to deliver highly effective defoaming performance across both liquid coating systems and reactive plastic systems. The dual chemistry gives the additive strong activity in solvent-borne and solvent-free formulations alike, with particular effectiveness in epoxy resin systems where blister-free surfaces are a critical quality requirement.
Because the product contains silicone, it delivers especially fast and thorough foam knockdown, making it well suited to processes where entrapped air must be eliminated quickly, such as pultrusion and cast epoxy manufacturing.
Key Features
- Silicone- and polymer-based chemistry: Addivion SURF 53 is built on a solution of foam-destroying polymers and polysiloxanes.
- Reduces foam and entrapped air: The additive is highly effective at reducing foam formation during manufacture and processing.
- Particularly suited to epoxy resin systems: The additive is particularly recommended for epoxy resin systems, including ambient-curing and pultrusion applications.
- Broad system compatibility: Addivion SURF 53 is applicable to solvent-borne and solvent-free formulations across coatings, plastics, and adhesives.
- Flexible incorporation: The additive can be added to the millbase for optimal defoaming or incorporated later in finished systems with sufficient shear.
Typical Applications
Addivion SURF 53 is primarily used as a defoamer and air release additive in industrial and protective coatings, architectural coatings, and wood and furniture coatings, where it is highly effective during manufacture and processing of solvent-borne and solvent-free systems. It is also widely applied in ambient-curing epoxy resin systems, where it reduces foam formation to achieve blister-free surfaces.
Beyond coatings, the additive is particularly recommended for pultrusion of plastic systems based on epoxy resins, where it prevents air entrapment during manufacture and application, as well as in adhesives and sealants, particularly epoxy resin-based systems. For a silicone-free alternative in food-contact or clarity-sensitive epoxy and polyurethane applications, formulators may wish to evaluate Addivion SURF 53A alongside this grade.
Technical Specifications
- Composition: Solution of foam-destroying polymers and polysiloxanes
- Density (20°C): 0.81 g/ml
- Refractive index (20°C): 1.448
- Solvents: Hydrocarbon mixture
- Flash point: 95°C
- Function: Silicone-containing defoamer and air release additive
Silicone-Polymer Defoaming Chemistry & Epoxy System Performance
Silicone-and-polymer defoamers such as Addivion SURF 53 achieve rapid foam knockdown through the combined action of a polysiloxane component, which is inherently incompatible with the surrounding resin and spreads quickly across bubble surfaces to destabilize them, and foam-destroying polymers that reinforce this effect and support longer-lasting air release performance throughout curing. This dual mechanism is particularly valuable in epoxy resin systems, where entrapped air during mixing, casting, or pultrusion can otherwise become permanently locked into the cured part as visible blisters or voids.
Because silicone-containing defoamers are highly surface-active, formulators should confirm compatibility with subsequent coating layers or bonding operations, since silicone residues can occasionally affect recoat adhesion in multilayer systems; where this is a concern, a silicone-free alternative is generally preferred. For pultrusion applications specifically, incorporating the additive into the resin before adding other components, including reinforcing fibers, ensures the most complete and even distribution of defoaming activity throughout the profile.
Storage Recommendations
- Store in the original, tightly sealed container, protected from moisture and extreme temperatures.
- Recommended storage temperature: 0-30°C.
- Shelf life: Up to 60 months in the original, unopened packaging when stored under recommended conditions.
- Mix well before use if any separation is observed after prolonged storage.
Documentation & Compliance
Each shipment of the product is supported by standard quality and compliance documentation to help customers manage incoming inspection, formulation approval, and downstream regulatory reporting.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA): Provided per batch
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Mandatory prior to handling
- Labels: Prepared in accordance with applicable regulations
- Industrial and professional use only
Formulation Guidance
In coatings, recommended addition levels are 0.2-0.8% of the additive as supplied, based on total formulation. In ambient-curing plastic systems and adhesives and sealants, 0.5-2% based on total formulation is recommended, while for pultrusion applications the same 0.5-2% range applies based on the resin and curing agent. These levels serve as a starting point, with optimal dosage determined through a series of laboratory trials for the target system.
To achieve optimal defoaming in coatings, the additive should be added to the millbase; if incorporated at a later stage, sufficiently high shear forces must be applied to ensure good distribution and prevent cratering. For epoxy resin systems, plastic systems, and adhesives, the additive should be stirred into the resin before other components are added. For complementary fiber wetting performance in the same pultrusion and closed-mold composite applications, formulators may wish to evaluate Addivion DISP 99.
Packaging & Logistics
- Packaging: Approved industrial packaging
- MOQ: Subject to packaging configuration
- Lead time: Indicative lead time, to be confirmed upon order acceptance
- Incoterms: Quoted case by case
Addivion SURF 53: Safety & Handling
Addivion SURF 53 should be handled in accordance with standard industrial hygiene practices for coating, resin, and adhesive additives. Users are advised to review the Safety Data Sheet prior to handling and to implement appropriate personal protective equipment and engineering controls as specified therein. As with all silicone-containing defoamers, small-scale compatibility and dosage trials are recommended before full-batch formulation to confirm defoaming performance and to check for any effect on recoat adhesion, clarity, or cure behavior in the target system.
Safety Data Sheet and destination-compliant labeling information for the product are available upon request. For related additive options, see also Addivion SURF 53A and Addivion DISP 99.