In the rapidly developing printing industry, water-based ink has gradually become the mainstream choice in the market due to its environmental friendliness, low volatile organic compound emissions, and low odor. However, water-based ink is prone to generating bubbles during production and use, which not only affects the uniformity and stability of the ink, but also reduces the quality of printed materials. Therefore, the use of defoamers is particularly important.

Mineral oil wax defoamers are one of the traditional defoamers, which mainly destroy the stability of bubbles through their low surface tension and insolubility in water. However, such defoamers may affect the drying speed and glossiness of ink, so it is necessary to weigh their pros and cons when using them. Metal soap defoamers are compounds generated by the reaction of metal ions with fatty acids, which have excellent defoaming and anti foaming properties. They are typically used in ink systems that require high stability and durability. Polyether block defoamers are a type of polymer compound that, through their unique molecular structure, can form a stable defoaming layer in ink systems, effectively suppressing the generation and diffusion of bubbles. This type of defoamer has good compatibility and minimal impact on ink performance, making it one of the commonly used defoamers in water-based inks. Organic silicone defoamers occupy an important position in the water-based ink market due to their efficient defoaming ability and good stability. They can exhibit significant defoaming effects at extremely low concentrations, with a long defoaming time and minimal impact on the printing performance of the ink.

Composite defoamers are composed of multiple defoamer components, aiming to combine the advantages of different defoamers to improve defoaming efficiency and stability. This type of defoamer usually has a wider applicability and can meet the needs of different ink systems and printing conditions.

The application fields of defoamers in the water-based ink market are also very extensive. In the field of packaging and printing, water-based ink is highly favored due to its environmental characteristics. However, the tiny pores on the surface of packaging materials (such as paper, plastic film, etc.) and additives in ink can easily cause bubbles. Using appropriate defoamers can significantly improve the uniformity of ink and the clarity of printed materials. Publishing and printing require high ink color, drying speed, and printing accuracy. The use of defoamers can ensure that the ink remains stable during the printing process, avoiding color unevenness and printing blurriness caused by bubbles. In advertising printing, the brightness and glossiness of ink are important indicators for evaluating the quality of printed materials. The use of defoamers can eliminate bubbles in ink, improve ink leveling, and make printed materials more shiny and glossy.

In addition to the above-mentioned fields, water-based ink defoamers are also widely used in textile printing, ceramic printing, wallpaper printing and other fields. In these fields, the use of defoamers also helps to improve the stability of ink and the quality of printed materials.

In summary, there are various types of defoamers in the water-based ink market, each with its own characteristics. Choosing the appropriate defoamer is crucial for improving the printing performance of ink and the quality of printed products. With the continuous advancement of printing technology and the increasing demand for environmental protection, the application of water-based ink defoamers will become more widespread, providing strong support for the development of the printing industry.