Polydimethylsiloxane

Polydimethylsiloxane (CAS 63148-62-9), commercially known as PDMS, silicone oil or Dimethicone, is a silicone polymer used for foam control, lubrication, and surface modification. Also recognized as E900.

Where is Polydimethylsiloxane used?

• Personal care: slip and non-greasy skin feel in hair conditioners, skin creams, and primers
• Coatings and release liners: reduced surface friction and prevention of substrate adhesion during processing
• Lubricants and metalworking fluids: boundary lubricant and plasticizer
• Food processing, fermentation, and wastewater treatment: foam control at low addition rates
• It controls foam in industrial defoaming.
• Can be formulated into H1 or H2 food-grade oils or greases for conveyor chains, gears, valves and seals in food packaging and processing machinery.
• Used as an antifoaming agent in cooking oils to prevent oil splattering during frying.

Good to know: Viscosity grade is the primary specification buyers must confirm. Food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade material meets FCC, USP, and Ph. Eur. standards under the Dimethicone monograph.

Formulation notes

• Deforms and swells in the presence of diisopropylamine, chloroform, and ether, and to a lesser extent in the presence of acetone, propanol, and pyridine, making it not ideal for many organic chemistry applications.
• Works synergistically with antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors and viscosity modifiers.

Typical specification

• Available as a cosmetic grade with a viscosity of 5 cSt.
• Very slightly soluble in isopropyl alcohol and insoluble in methanol and acetone.
• Available in variants such as trimethylsiloxy-terminated, hydroxyl-terminated, amino-functionalized, vinyl-terminated and phenyl-terminated.
• Offered as a medium-viscosity antifoam emulsion with 10% active content and 800-2000 cSt viscosity.

Regulatory status

• Has HS code 3910.00 for silicones.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Store away from sources of ignition in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container.

Frequently asked questions about Polydimethylsiloxane

In which food production processes is polydimethylsiloxane used as an antifoaming agent?

It is used as an antifoaming agent in the production of foods such as sweets, chewing gum, frying oil and beer.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.