Hmechem

PDMS Silicone Emulsions for Textile, Paper Release, Tire Mold & Leather Finishing

Three active-content tiers — 30%, 40%, 60% — covering ship-and-dilute economy grades through ready-to-use textile and personal-care formulations.

Quick-Pick Selection Table

ApplicationRecommended GradeActive ContentBase ViscosityKey Requirement
Textile softening (pad bath, ready-to-use)pdms-emulsion-3030%350–1000 cStSmooth handle, non-yellowing, anionic bath compatible
Personal care — hair conditioning rinsepdms-emulsion-3030%100–350 cStRinse-off safety, light non-greasy feel
Leather finishing — surface gloss & feelpdms-emulsion-3030%200–500 cStNon-tacky, compatible with aqueous finishes
Paper machine coating (calendering)pdms-emulsion-4040%350–10,000 cStStable at shear, no silicone spotting on paper
Industrial mold release (rubber, plastic)pdms-emulsion-6060%350–1000 cStDilute 1:5–1:10, fast demold, no residue build-up
Tire mold release & tire dressingpdms-emulsion-6060%1000–60,000 cStHigh film strength, temp stability up to 200°C

All Grades (by chemistry class)

30% Active PDMS Emulsion — Textile & Personal Care(2)

The most widely used concentration for textile finishing pad baths (1–5% diluted working bath), personal-care formulations (hair rinse conditioners, body lotions), and leather spray finishes. Non-ionic grade is most common. Base PDMS viscosity 100–1000 cSt determines softness vs. lubricity ratio on the substrate.

40% Active PDMS Emulsion — Paper & Industrial Coating(1)

Mid-concentration grade balancing solids and flowability for metered application in paper machine coating, metalworking lubricant additive, and polishing wax base. Higher viscosity base grades (1000–10,000 cSt) give thicker release films on calendar rolls; lower viscosity bases (350 cSt) suit transfer coating. Compatible with most aqueous binder systems.

60% Active PDMS Emulsion — Mold Release Concentrate(1)

Ship-and-dilute concentrate giving the lowest per-kg-of-active-PDMS cost. Equivalent to Wacker E60, Bluesil EMUL 872, and XIAMETER MEM-0349. Key for high-volume tire mold release operations (dilute 1:5–1:10 with deionised water) and industrial rubber/plastic demould. Base fluid viscosity grades 350 / 1000 / 10,000 / 60,000 cSt — select by required film thickness and release force.

Imported Brand → China Equivalent

Equivalents are indicative; verify against TDS for project-critical applications.

International Brand GradeActive ContentChina EquivalentKey Chinese Producers
Wacker Silicone E10 (350 cSt base)30%Silicone emulsion 30% non-ionic广州汉博、佛山嘉联脂
Wacker Silicone E30 (350/1000 cSt)35%Silicone emulsion 35% non-ionic广州汉博、湖北硅谷
Wacker Silicone E60 (350/1000/10000 cSt)60%Silicone emulsion 60% non-ionic广州汉博、武汉有机实业
Bluesil EMUL 872 (slightly anionic)60%Silicone emulsion 60% anionic广州汉博、张家港科达
XIAMETER MEM-0349 (non-ionic)60%Silicone emulsion 60% non-ionic广州汉博、武汉有机实业
Shin-Etsu KM-68 (textile grade)30%Silicone emulsion 30% for textile广州汉博、湖北硅谷、佛山嘉联脂

Frequently Asked Questions

30% vs 40% vs 60% — which active content should I order?

Order 30% for ready-to-use textile bath and personal care; 40% for paper machine use where pump viscosity matters; 60% for high-volume mold release or when freight cost per kg of active is the key driver.

The three tiers are distinguished by storage stability and application economics, not by performance differences at end-use — at equal active levels, 30% diluted to 5% and 60% diluted to 5% give identical working baths. The 60% grade requires on-site dilution equipment (slow-speed agitator, clean water feed) whereas 30% can be added directly to the bath. At 60%, emulsion stability becomes more critical — check cloud point, freeze-thaw stability, and shear stability specs before ordering. For export from China, shipping emulsion as 60% active instead of 30% cuts sea-freight cost roughly in half per kg of PDMS delivered. For smaller buyers (< 1 tonne), the premium handling of 60% concentrates may not justify the savings. When in doubt, 30% non-ionic is the lowest-risk starting point.

Ionic type: non-ionic vs anionic — does it matter for textile?

Yes. Non-ionic grades are compatible with all dye bath systems. Anionic grades give better stability in alkaline baths (pH 8–10) but are incompatible with cationic softeners or dye bath auxiliaries — they cause flocculation.

In textile wet finishing, the ionic compatibility of the silicone emulsion with other bath components (dyes, levelling agents, softeners, acids) determines whether the emulsion remains stable or breaks, causing white specks on the fabric. Non-ionic emulsions tolerate pH 4–9 and are compatible with both anionic and non-ionic auxiliaries. They are the safe default for dye-bath and afterwash operations. Anionic emulsions (e.g. Bluesil EMUL 872) are used where higher bath pH is unavoidable (alkaline scouring, reactive dye fixation) or where specific film properties require anionic stabilisation. Never add a cationic softener to a bath containing anionic silicone emulsion without a prior compatibility test. For pad-dry-cure finishing sequences, any ionic type can be used after the dyeing and rinsing stages are complete.

How do I choose base fluid viscosity — 350 cSt vs 1000 cSt vs 10,000 cSt?

Lower viscosity (350 cSt) gives a lighter, silkier feel with faster spreading; higher viscosity (10,000+ cSt) gives a thicker, more durable protective film with stronger water repellency and release force — critical for heavy mold release.

PDMS viscosity is determined by chain length. Low-viscosity grades (50–350 cSt) form thin, light films — ideal for hair conditioning (non-greasy slip), light textile softening, and anti-tack applications where excess residue would cause fabric hand issues. Medium-viscosity grades (350–1000 cSt) are the all-rounder: good softness, acceptable durability, compatible with most bath systems. High-viscosity grades (10,000–60,000 cSt) are used where film persistence matters — tire mold release (holds up to 200°C), paper Yankee cylinder coating (resists continuous web pressure), and leather surface protection (withstands abrasion). The emulsification of high-viscosity PDMS requires more powerful emulsification equipment, which is why 60,000 cSt emulsions are less widely available and often at premium. For most textile and personal care applications, the 350–1000 cSt range covers > 80% of formulations.

Is PDMS emulsion safe for personal care and cosmetics?

Cosmetic-grade PDMS (dimethicone, INCI name) is approved by FDA, EU Cosmetics Regulation, and ISO 16128. Only use emulsions manufactured and tested for cosmetic use — industrial textile grades are NOT equivalent.

Dimethicone (PDMS) is one of the most extensively safety-tested cosmetic ingredients. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) classifies cyclics (D4, D5) as separately regulated, but linear PDMS (dimethicone, dimethiconol) is considered safe at concentrations used in rinse-off and leave-on cosmetics. For hair conditioners, leave-on smoothing serums, and body lotions, you need cosmetic-grade PDMS emulsion: (1) manufactured under GMP conditions; (2) free from restricted emulsifiers; (3) tested for heavy metals, microbial contamination, and dermal compatibility; (4) supplied with INCI data sheet and IFRA/COSMOS compliance documentation. Industrial silicone emulsions used in textile or paper processing contain technical-grade emulsifiers (e.g. nonylphenol ethoxylates, which are restricted in EU cosmetics) and may not meet dermal safety standards. HMEChem can source cosmetic-grade dimethicone emulsions from Chinese manufacturers certified to ISO 22716 (GMP for cosmetics) — specify 'cosmetic grade' when requesting quotation.

What packaging and shelf life can I expect?

Standard packaging: 25 kg HDPE drums, 200 kg HDPE drums, 1 tonne IBC totes. Shelf life: 12 months stored at 5–40°C, avoid freeze-thaw. 60% concentrates can phase-separate if stored above 45°C for extended periods.

PDMS emulsions are water-based systems sensitive to temperature extremes. Freezing (below 0°C) irreversibly breaks the emulsion — the oil and water phases separate, and mechanical mixing cannot restore the original emulsion structure. Always specify minimum temperature during transit (especially for winter shipments to Northern Europe, Canada, Russia). At the high end, prolonged storage above 40°C gradually destabilises the emulsion droplet size, reducing product shelf life. Inspect each drum on receipt — white, homogeneous, pour-able consistency is normal. Grainy texture, oil ring at top, or phase separation are signs of compromised stability. For sampling, stir the drum gently (low RPM, no aeration) before drawing sample. IBC totes are preferred for > 200 kg/month users — they reduce drum handling, waste, and per-kg cost by 10–15% vs. 200 kg drums.

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