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PMC Ouvrie defoamers DELFOAM™ & EROL™ improve the structure and adhesion of industrial mortars by minimizing foaming-related issues.

Our defoamers are also compatible for co-use with most common super-plasticizers and anti-shrinkage agents.

Industrial mortar production demands precise control over air content and consistency. Excessive foam during mixing and application can compromise workability, reduce bond strength, and create surface defects that impact both performance and aesthetics. PMC Ouvrie's mortar defoamer solutions deliver reliable foam control across cement-based, gypsum, and polymer-modified systems.

Optimized Foam Control for Mortar Applications

Our antifoam for mortar is engineered to address the unique challenges of modern mortar formulations. Whether you're producing tile adhesives, renderings, repair mortars, or self-leveling compounds, controlled deaeration is critical to achieving the right balance of workability, density, and final properties. Our defoamers work efficiently at low dosages without interfering with air-entraining admixtures or other functional additives.

Common Foam Challenges in Mortar Production

Mixing-Induced Foam High-shear mixing equipment and surfactant-containing additives create stable foam that traps excessive air. This affects batch consistency and makes it difficult to achieve target densities, particularly in factory-produced dry-mix mortars that are later hydrated on-site.

Polymer-Related Foaming Redispersible polymer powders and liquid latex additives are essential for flexibility and adhesion, but they're also powerful foam stabilizers. Without effective defoaming, polymer-modified mortars can retain 2-3 times more air than specified, weakening the matrix and reducing coverage rates.

Application Surface Defects Foam that survives mixing and pumping can migrate to the surface during application and curing, leaving pinholes, craters, and reduced surface density. These defects are especially problematic in decorative renderings and high-performance repair mortars where appearance and impermeability matter.

Workability vs. Air Content Balance The challenge isn't eliminating all air—controlled air entrainment improves freeze-thaw resistance and workability. The goal is removing unwanted foam while preserving intentionally entrained air bubbles. Our mortar defoamer technology distinguishes between beneficial micro-air and detrimental foam.

How PMC Ouvrie Defoamers Work in Mortar Systems

Our antifoam for mortar formulations uses a targeted approach that destabilizes foam lamellae without coating cement particles or interfering with hydration. The active components spread rapidly across foam bubble interfaces, creating localized weaknesses that cause bubble collapse. Because our defoamers are designed for highly alkaline, high-solids environments, they remain effective throughout mixing, pumping, and application—not just at the initial addition point.

The chemistry is optimized for compatibility with:

• Portland cement and blended cement systems
• Gypsum-based mortars
• Lime mortars and natural hydraulic lime formulations
• Polymer-modified thin-set and thick-bed adhesives
• Self-leveling underlayments

Performance Benefits

Consistent Density and Coverage Eliminating excess air ensures that each batch meets target density specifications, improving coverage rates and reducing material costs per square meter.

Enhanced Bond Strength Lower void content in the cured matrix translates directly to improved adhesion and cohesive strength, critical for tile adhesives and structural repair mortars.

Improved Surface Quality Fewer surface defects mean less remedial work, better aesthetics in architectural applications, and enhanced impermeability in waterproofing mortars.

Process Efficiency Faster deaeration during mixing reduces batch cycle times. Stable rheology during pumping and application minimizes equipment fouling and downtime.

Formulation Flexibility Our defoamers work across a wide pH range and are compatible with most admixture packages, giving formulators freedom to optimize other performance characteristics without foam control compromises.

Application Guidelines

Dosage Range: Typically 0.1-0.5% based on total dry binder weight. Polymer-modified systems may require dosages toward the higher end of the range.

Addition Point: Add to the mix water or directly to the wet batch during the initial mixing stage. For dry-mix mortars, incorporate into the powder blend or provide as a separate liquid component for job-site addition.

Compatibility Testing: Always conduct lab trials when introducing a mortar defoamer into a new formulation, especially when air-entraining agents or high levels of redispersible polymers are present.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from freezing. Stir or recirculate before use if separation has occurred.

Technical Support and Custom Solutions

Every mortar formulation has unique requirements based on binder type, aggregate grading, polymer content, and application method. PMC Ouvrie's technical team can help optimize defoamer selection and dosage for your specific system. We offer sample quantities for trial batches and provide on-site support for production-scale implementation.

Ready to improve your mortar formulation? Contact PMC Ouvrie today to discuss your foam control challenges and request product samples. Our experts are available to help you achieve optimal performance in your mortar systems.