Foaming agents

A foaming agent is a chemical compound which facilitates the formation of foam or helps foam maintain its integrity by strengthening individual foam bubbles. Foaming agents are used in many industrial processes, and also around the home. In fact, chances are high that you came into contact with a foaming agent at some point today, perhaps while washing the dishes, preparing a load of laundry, or washing your hair.

Different foaming agents are more effective for different materials, and chemists are often developing new products which can be used to produce foam. We hould be careful because some foaming agents have toxic components which make them unsafe to use and to be used with care even when it's nontoxic.

In industry, foaming agents are used whenever a foam needs to be created. They are used in industrial cleaning applications, the preparation of building materials, and a wide range of other tasks.