Silicone emulsions - Sempure
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What is a silicone emulsion?
A silicone emulsion is silicone oil, usually polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), dispersed as fine droplets in water with the help of emulsifiers. It gives you the properties of silicones, such as gloss, slip, water repellency and release, in a form you can dilute with water and process without solvents. Once the water evaporates, a thin silicone film remains.
The BRB Sempure series from BRB International is a complete line of silicone emulsions for the technical market, from classic non-ionic PDMS emulsions to micro-emulsions and cationic amino emulsions. Through Silicones and More you can order them in small packs for development and trials, or in larger quantities for production.
- ✓Water-dilutable: economical in use, easy to adjust to the required concentration
- ✓Solvent-free: suitable for water-based formulations such as polishes, cleaners and fabric softeners
- ✓Versatile: car care, household cleaning, textiles, printing and release in rubber and plastics processing
- ✓LC grades: the upgraded standard emulsions are SVHC compliant and use a preservative system free from isothiazolinones
Available to order
BRB Sempure 270
70 % micro-emulsion of a quaternary silicone polymer, developed for fabric softeners and fabric care. Gives a soft, silky hand with light water repellency and is stable across a wide pH range.
BRB Siloen® 5022 WR
Water-based silane/siloxane emulsion to make masonry, render and concrete water repellent. This is a reactive impregnating emulsion, not a PDMS emulsion, and the right choice for facades and stone.
BRB SF 242 amino silicone fluid
100 % active amino-functional silicone fluid. For formulators who want to make their own emulsion or need a durable, adhering silicone film on leather, textiles and plastics.
Pure silicone oil (PDMS)
If your process does not need water, work with undiluted silicone oil, for example Silicone Oil 200 cSt or Wacker AK 35 as a base for release agents and lubricants.
BRB Sempure on request
The silicone emulsions below from the BRB Sempure and Snapsil range are not kept in stock as standard, but we supply them on request. Tell us your application and the quantity you need, and we will send a quotation with technical documentation.
| Product | Type | Typical application | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sempure 35 (LC) | Non-ionic macro-emulsion, 35 % PDMS, medium viscosity | All-round emulsion for polishes, plastic care and release | On request |
| Sempure 60 (LC) | Non-ionic macro-emulsion, 60 % PDMS, medium viscosity | The classic silicone emulsion for car care, tyre dressing, release and slip | On request |
| Sempure 66 (LC) | Non-ionic macro-emulsion, 60 % low-viscosity silicone oil | Where better spreading and wetting matter more than maximum gloss | On request |
| Sempure 1985 | Non-ionic emulsion, 50 % PDMS, medium viscosity | General technical applications and care products | On request |
| Sempure HV 6500 (LC) | Non-ionic emulsion, 60 %, blend of medium and high-viscosity PDMS | Strong wetting with extra gloss and durability, also for offset printing | On request |
| Sempure HV 3500 | Emulsion of medium and high-viscosity PDMS | Developed for offset printing, also usable where a heavier silicone film is wanted | On request |
| Sempure 135 | Micro-emulsion, 35 % | Clear, aqueous all-purpose and hard surface cleaners | On request |
| Sempure 230 | Micro-emulsion, 30 % quaternary silicone polymer | Hard surface cleaners with soil-repellent and gloss effect | On request |
| Sempure 3733 | Cationic emulsion, 40 % amino silicone fluid | Textile finishing and care where an adhering, soft silicone film is required | On request |
| Sempure 5332 | Emulsion of alkylaryl polysiloxane | Polishes and coatings that need better compatibility with organic components | On request |
| Snapsil 20LD, RE 10, RE 20 | Silicone antifoam emulsions | Foam control in technical processes, RE 10 is alkali resistant | On request |
Requests via info@siliconesandmore.com. Technical values per type are in the data sheet, which we send along with the quotation.
Which silicone emulsion should you choose?
Macro or micro-emulsion
A macro-emulsion such as Sempure 35 or 60 is milky white and delivers the most silicone per kilo, ideal for gloss and release. A micro-emulsion such as Sempure 135 has much smaller droplets, is clear to translucent and stays stable in clear cleaners and fabric softeners.
Non-ionic or cationic
Non-ionic emulsions are compatible with most formulations and are the safe default. Cationic emulsions such as Sempure 3733 and the quaternary types are attracted to negatively charged surfaces like textile fibres, giving a more durable soft hand.
Viscosity of the silicone oil
Low-viscosity oil spreads and wets better, high-viscosity oil gives more gloss, depth and a longer-lasting film. HV types combine both.
Active content
A 60 % emulsion is usually cheaper per kilo of active matter and leaves more room to dilute yourself. A 35 % emulsion is easier to dose in smaller batches.
Applications of silicone emulsions
Car care and polishes
- Tyre dressing, plastic and rubber care
- Water-based polishes and quick detailers
- See also car care silicones and additives
Release agent for rubber and plastics
- Diluted emulsion as a water-based release in rubber and plastics processing
- Less sticking, faster demoulding, even surface
Textiles and fabric softeners
- Soft, silky hand with Sempure 270
- Water-repellent textiles: see silicone emulsions for water-repellent textiles
Cleaners and household products
- Gloss and soil repellency in all-purpose cleaners with Sempure 135 and 230
- Foam control in cleaning processes with Snapsil
Facades and building materials
- Do not use a PDMS emulsion here, it washes out
- Choose a reactive silane/siloxane emulsion, see water repellents
Diluting and processing
- →Add the emulsion to the water while stirring gently, not the other way round, so the emulsion stays stable
- →Preferably use demineralised water, hard water and salts can break the emulsion
- →The dilution depends on your process, always determine the concentration with a trial
- →Apply by spraying, dipping or with a cloth, the water evaporates and leaves a silicone film
⚠️ Store frost-free: a frozen emulsion breaks and cannot be restored. Close containers tightly and use diluted solutions promptly.
⚠️ Painting and bonding: silicone residues interfere with the adhesion of paint, adhesives and coatings. Do not use silicone emulsions in areas where spraying or bonding takes place.
Frequently asked questions about silicone emulsions
What is the difference between silicone oil and a silicone emulsion?
Silicone oil is 100 % active and does not mix with water. A silicone emulsion contains the same oil, dispersed in water with emulsifiers, so you can dilute it with water and use it in water-based products.
What does LC mean for Sempure?
LC stands for low cyclic. The content of the cyclic siloxanes D4, D5 and D6 is kept low enough for the emulsions to comply with the European SVHC rules. Request the documentation for the exact values.
Can I make a silicone emulsion myself from silicone oil?
It is possible with the right emulsifiers and a homogeniser, but a stable emulsion with a consistent droplet size is difficult in small batches. For most applications a ready-made Sempure emulsion is more reliable and more economical.
Is a silicone emulsion the same as silicone spray or silicone grease?
No. A silicone spray usually contains solvent or propellant, silicone grease is a paste that cannot be diluted with water and is meant for local lubrication such as O-rings. An emulsion is water-dilutable and forms a thin film over a larger surface once dry.
Can I use a silicone emulsion for food contact?
Only if the type is explicitly approved for it with the corresponding declaration. The standard Sempure emulsions are technical grades. Ask us about the options for your application.
Is Sempure suitable for cosmetics?
The Sempure series was developed for household and technical applications. For cosmetic formulations, choose from our silicone raw materials for cosmetics.
Related categories
Order or request a silicone emulsion
Order Sempure 270 directly, or request another Sempure type via info@siliconesandmore.com. Tell us your application and quantity, and we will recommend the right type and dilution.