Simethicone Personal-care labeling identifier (CosIng)Simethicone is activated dimethicone — polydimethylsiloxane combined with silicon dioxide — and is selected by grade purpose rather than viscosity. The USP/NF grade serves antacid and anti-gas pharmaceutical use; food grade (FCC / 21 CFR 173.340) controls foam in food and beverage processing; technical grade handles process and wastewater foam. RawSource supplies the grade qualified to your standard, neat or as an emulsion, sourced to spec.
Grade selection — Grade purpose (compliance)
Simethicone is activated dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane) combined with silicon dioxide; the silica is what makes it an antifoam rather than a plain fluid. The selection axis is grade purpose — the same chemistry is qualified to a pharmacopeial (USP/NF), food (FCC / 21 CFR), or technical standard. Supplied as a neat compound or as an aqueous emulsion (commonly 30% active for liquid dosing).
| Grade purpose (compliance) | Active dimethicone | Silicon dioxide | Compliance standard | Typical applications | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USP / NF grade (pharmaceutical) | 90.5-99.0 % | 4.0-7.0 % | USP-NF | antacid and anti-gas (antiflatulent) actives; defoamer in oral liquid suspensions | sourced-to-spec |
| Simethicone emulsion (USP) | — | — | USP-NF | water-dispersible form for liquid antacid / anti-gas suspensions (active % confirmed per CoA) | sourced-to-spec |
| Food grade (FCC / 21 CFR) | — | — | FCC; 21 CFR 173.340 | processing defoamer for food and beverage manufacturing (cooking, fermentation, fillers) | sourced-to-spec |
| Technical / process grade | — | — | technical | process foam control in wastewater, fermentation and chemical processing | sourced-to-spec |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between simethicone and dimethicone?
Dimethicone is the silicone fluid (polydimethylsiloxane). Simethicone is activated dimethicone combined with 4-7% silicon dioxide; the silica gives it antifoam (and antiflatulent) activity that plain dimethicone does not have. The USP-NF monograph specifies 90.5-99.0% polydimethylsiloxane and 4.0-7.0% silicon dioxide.
Do you supply USP-grade simethicone?
Yes — simethicone is selected by grade purpose. We source USP/NF pharmacopeial grade (compound and emulsion), food grade (FCC / 21 CFR 173.340) and technical/process grade, each to the compliance standard your application requires. A grade-specific CoA and SDS ship with every order.
What CAS number is simethicone?
Simethicone is CAS 8050-81-5. Because it is a polydimethylsiloxane-plus-silica system rather than a single molecule, its active content is defined as a compositional range (per USP-NF) rather than one fixed value, and the qualifying standard varies by grade.
Identity and hazard data sourced from PubChem and authoritative regulatory references. Confirm against the grade-specific CoA and SDS supplied with every shipment.