wetting agent
/ˈwɛtɪŋ ˈeɪdʒənt/ · wet·ting a·gent
noun
- A substance, typically a surfactant, that lowers the surface tension of a liquid, allowing it to spread more readily over or penetrate a solid surface. The gardener added a wetting agent to the irrigation water so it would soak into the sandy soil more efficiently.
- In specialized contexts, a chemical additive used to improve the performance of products such as paints, inks, detergents, or firefighting foams by enhancing their ability to wet surfaces. Firefighters sprayed a wetting agent onto the blaze, helping the foam coat the burning material uniformly.
Synonyms
surfactantspreading agentsurface‑active agenthydrophilic agentdetergentemulsifierwetting compoundwetting additive
Antonyms
Did you know? Wetting agents were crucial in the development of early firefighting foams in the 1930s, allowing the foam to cling to burning oil surfaces and extinguish fires more effectively.