Semi-solid & solid foam

Semi-solid and solid foams are complex materials characterized by a multi-phase structure where a gas phase is trapped in a continuous liquid, gel, or solid matrix. They combine lightness, texture, and functional properties sought after in many industrial fields.

At Rheonis, we support your projects around foams – from their development to their industrial transformation – by providing a detailed understanding of their behavior and their physical transitions.

Variety of services

Our approach covers:

• Characterization of physical and mechanical properties : stability, texture, mechanical resistance, elasticity, behavior under stress.
• Study of dynamic behaviors : formation, expansion, deformation, aging, drainage, collapse.
• Optimization of formulations and processes : choice of foaming, gelling, emulsifying or stabilizing polymer agents.
• Multi-scale analysis : bubble structure, homogeneity, porosity, gas/liquid/solid interactions.
• R&D and industrialization support : from ideation to process validation.

Measurement of semi-solid and solid foams

The mosses have a duality of behaviors – between soft materials and porous solids – requiring suitable measurement methods:

• Texture and sensory profile (Texture Profile Analysis, penetration, hardness).
• Rheology and viscoelasticity (deformation, creep, elastic recovery).
• Structure and porosity (microscopy, image analysis, permeability, turbidity).
• Stability and evolution (drainage, coalescence, density, compaction).
• Mechanical properties (compression, rupture, twisting).

Industrial applications

Semi-solid and solid foams are available according to their physical and chemical nature, with varying requirements depending on the sectors:

• Food : protein mousses (egg, milk), carbohydrate mousses (sweets, aerated confectionery), fatty mousses (ganaches, chocolate creams).
• Cosmetics and care : solid surfactant foams (cleansers, shampoos), polymeric or gelled foams (sticks, masks, expanded powders).
• Pharmaceuticals and biomaterials : polysaccharide biofoams, collagen, porous polymers for controlled release matrices.
• Advanced materials : thermoplastic or thermosetting polymeric foams, mineral or composite foams used for insulation, energy absorption or filtration.

Rheonis Added Value

• Multiphysical expertise to link formulation, structure and performance.
• Integrated methods combining physical measurements, simulations and experimental analysis.
• Tailor-made support from R&D to industrialization.
• Cross-sectional vision enabling the cross-fertilization of knowledge between agrifood, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and advanced materials.

Some useful links:

• texture measurement
• processability measure
• solve problems
• form

Would you like to discuss your issues directly with our specialists? Do not hesitate to leave us a message, we will respond within 48 hours maximum.