Detailed knowledge for detailersMiscellaneous detailing related content
Hydrophilic is the opposite of hydrophobic, which means that it is a property of a molecule that “attracts” water. No real attraction force is involved though. In general hydrophilic substances dissolve easily in water.
Surfactants are additives for certain products to lower the surface tension of a liquid. This helps the liquid to mix and combine with another substance, making it easier to combine a mixture of several (types of) substances. This acts as an emulsion, wetting-agent, detergent, foaming agent and/or dispersants. Surfactants combine hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties, which allows them to interact with both types.
Hydrophobic is the term used when a surface “pushes away water”. The word means as much as “fear/anxiety for water”. Although there is no actual fear or anxiety, it refers to the effect that looks as if it is pushing away the water. (there is no actual repulsive force involved)