Foaming of Silica Suspensions*

ABSTRACT: Silica suspensions were foamed in a dynamic rotor-stator mixer in an attempt to model the effects of pigment particles on the foam application pro-cess. Results of foamability, bubble size, foam rheology, and foam stability studies are presented. Suspensions have been foamed with various concentrations of silica. Foams have been generated with various blow ratios or with various rotational speeds of the mixer. It has been found that silica particles affect these four foam properties. KEY WORDS: foamability, bubble size distribution, foam rheology, foam stabil-ity, three-phase foam