A new method of testing frother performance was proposed. Four parameters were tested:maximum foam volume, foam half-life, gas−liquid ratio and mean foam rise velocity. Among them the former two parameters indicate frother’s foaming ability and foam stability respectively, and the latter two indicate water carrying ability and foam viscosity, respectively. The performance of four frothers in a two-phase (solution-air) system was tested and batch flotation tests on a copper ore were carried out. By analyzing frother performance in a two-phase system and comparing with the flotation results, correlation between them was found. Higher-copper concentrate grade was obtained by frothers with weak water carrying ability and low foam viscosity. And frothers with strong foaming ability and stable foam tend to obtain higher copper recovery.%提出一种测试起泡剂性能的新方法。测试了4个参数：最大泡沫体积、泡沫半衰期、气−液比以及泡沫平均流速。其中，前两个参数分别表征起泡剂的起泡能力和泡沫稳定性，后两个参数分别表征起泡剂的携液能力和泡沫黏度。测试了4种起泡剂在气−液两相体系中的性能，并且对某铜矿进行浮选试验。通过分析比较两相体系起泡剂的性能以及获得的浮选试验结果，发现两者之间有联系：携液能力弱、泡沫黏度低的起泡剂获得的铜精矿品位较高；起泡能力强、泡沫稳定的起泡剂获得的铜回收率较高。
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