Agriculture / Solution Family

Crop Protection Adjuvants

Organosilicone super-spreaders and silicone antifoams u2014 trisiloxane wetting agents, PDMS antifoam emulsions, and volatile silicone carriers u2014 that lower spray surface tension and control foam in tank-mix and agrochemical manufacturing.

Overview

Crop protection adjuvants are formulation and tank-mix additives that change how anspray solution behaves on a leaf, not the biological activity of the pesticide itself.nThe two classes shown here do physical jobs: organosilicone super-spreadersn(polyether-modified trisiloxanes) that lower the surface tension of a spray droplet, andnsilicone antifoams that knock down and suppress foam in mixing and applicationnequipment. Both are utility adjuvants u2014 they condition the spray and carry no pesticidal claimnof their own.

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A polyether-modified trisiloxane can drop aqueous surface tension to roughly 20-22 mN/m, wellnbelow what a conventional nonionic surfactant reaches, which lets the droplet wet waxy,nhydrophobic cuticles and spread into a thin film. The trade-off is real: that same low surfacentension can cause runoff or over-spreading on already-wettable surfaces, and trisiloxanesnhydrolyze faster at high or low tank pH. Buffer the tank near neutral pH and mix close to sprayntime rather than holding a diluted batch overnight.

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Silicone antifoam emulsions based on polydimethylsiloxane serve a different need: persistentnfoam control that survives a full tank fill, where an alcohol knockdown fades within minutes.nThey are dosed at a few hundred ppm and are the workhorse for high-shear mixing in agrochemicalnmanufacturing. Octamethyltrisiloxane, a low-viscosity volatile silicone, rounds out the set as anspreading and carrier fluid. Specify the emulsion grade for water-based tanks and confirmncompatibility with the actives in your formulation.

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Where it's used
  • Organosilicone super-spreaders for wetting waxy, hydrophobic leaf cuticles in foliar tank mixes
  • Foam control in spray tanks, mix plants, and high-shear agrochemical manufacturing
  • Compatibility and utility adjuvants for emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and suspension tank mixes
  • Spreading and carrier fluids for foliar and specialty-crop spray programs
  • Custom-blended adjuvant packages for applicators and formulators
Frequently asked questions
Does RawSource supply crop protection adjuvants in bulk?
Yes. RawSource sources organosilicone super-spreaders (polyether-modified trisiloxane), silicone (PDMS) antifoam emulsions, and volatile silicone carrier fluids in drum, tote, and bulk quantities for applicators, custom blenders, and agrochemical formulators. Submit a CAS or target specification for an RFQ.
What does an organosilicone super-spreader do?
It lowers the surface tension of a spray droplet, typically to around 20-22 mN/m, so the droplet wets and spreads across waxy, water-repellent leaf surfaces. It is a physical wetting and deposition aid u2014 a utility adjuvant u2014 and makes no pesticidal claim of its own. Confirm tank-mix compatibility and the adjuvant requirements on your pesticide label.
Why use a silicone antifoam instead of an alcohol defoamer?
Silicone (PDMS) antifoam emulsions give persistent foam suppression that lasts through a full tank fill or batch, while a short-chain alcohol gives only a transient knockdown that fades in minutes. Silicone antifoams are typically dosed at a few hundred ppm in spray tanks and in agrochemical manufacturing.
Are these adjuvants pesticides?
No. The adjuvants on this page u2014 spreaders, antifoams, and carrier fluids u2014 are formulation and tank-mix aids that modify how a spray behaves physically. They are not registered pesticide active ingredients. Follow the pesticide product label and confirm adjuvant requirements and regulatory status for your jurisdiction.
Disclaimer. Information on this page is provided for general reference and compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, and confirm regulatory status, classification, and suitability for your application and jurisdiction.
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