AC Foaming Agent Azodicarbonamide for WPC & PVC Foam Board

1.Introduction 

The Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) foam board industry has grown a lot in recent years. This is because of a wide range of uses in construction, packaging, furniture, and other areas. These foam boards are very important because of their special properties such as low density, good insulation, and excellent mechanical properties. AC blowing agent, also called azodicarbonamide, is an important part of making WPC and PVC foam boards.
 

2. How AC blowing agent works? 

AC blowing agent, also called azodicarbonamide, has the molecular formula C₂H₄N₄O₂. This chemical structure gives it the special properties needed for foaming. When heated, it breaks down and releases gases, like nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, which help create the foam structure in the material.Making AC blowing agents usually involves a chemical synthesis process, and the quality of the final product is strictly controlled at all stages of production.Key factors, such as purity and particle size distribution, are closely monitored. Having a higher purity ensures more consistent foaming properties, while having the right particle size distribution helps to achieve uniform dispersion within the WPC and PVC matrices, resulting in better foam quality.
 

3. Application to plasticized wood foam panels 

In the production of wood-plastic foam panels, which usually involves processes such as extrusion and compression molding, AC blowing agent is a key additive. During the mixing stage, it needs to be evenly spread between the wood fibers and the plastic matrix.The AC blowing agent's decomposition temperature is carefully matched to the processing temperature of the wood-plastic material to ensure that foaming occurs at the right time.
 
The addition of AC blowing agent brings a number of benefits to the performance of plasticized wood foam panels. First, it makes the boards much lighter, which makes them better for things like building walls inside buildings.Second, it makes the boards better at keeping the temperature steady. The reduction in density also makes the boards stronger. For example, adding the right amount of AC blowing agent to some wood-plastic foam panels can improve impact resistance by up to 20% compared to non-foamed wood-plastic panels.However, there are some challenges to using AC foam. One challenge is the compatibility between AC blowing agents and wood fibers. If not handled properly, it may lead to uneven foaming, resulting in inconsistent foam board quality. Also, the blowing agent might leave behind unwanted substances that could affect the environment.To deal with these problems, we can add other substances to improve compatibility and adjust the foaming process to reduce any leftovers.
 

4. Application to PVC foam board 

There are different processes used to make PVC foam boards, like free foaming and skinning foaming.The way the AC blowing agent is used in the foaming process depends on the specific process. In free foaming, the AC blowing agent breaks down to create a lot of uniform bubbles inside the PVC. In skinning foaming, the AC blowing agent breaks down in a very precise way to form a dense skinning layer on the surface of the foam board.AC blowing agent has a big impact on the performance of PVC foam board. It makes the surface quality of the board better, making it smoother and more attractive. It also makes the PVC foam board more durable by making it harder and more resistant to wear. Chemically, it also makes the PVC foam board more resistant to chemical corrosion.Experimental data show that PVC foam boards with the addition of an appropriate amount of AC blowing agent can withstand longer exposure to certain acidic and alkaline solutions without significant degradation. However, it's important to note that AC blowing agents have certain drawbacks compared to other types of blowing agents.
 
DPT may be better at foaming at low temperatures, but it can be harmful to the environment because it might release dangerous chemicals.Calcium carbonate is cost-effective and eco-friendly, but it has some limitations. It has a high decomposition temperature and doesn't spread well, which can affect the quality of the foam board. AC blowing agents are a better choice for many WPC foam board manufacturers because they are cost-effective and environmentally friendly.Water-based blowing agents are also environmentally friendly and cost-effective, but they are not as stable and they don't foam well. Carbon dioxide foaming has the advantage of controllability, but requires specialized high-pressure equipment. AC blowing agent offers a good compromise, which enables high quality foam structures while maintaining reasonable costs and relatively easy processing requirements.
 

5. Industry trends and future of AC blowing agents 

In short, AC blowing agent is a necessary additive in the production of wood, plastic, and PVC foam board. It has special chemicals that make the foam boards stronger and better able to resist chemicals. Looking to the future, AC blowing agents have competitive advantages over other types of blowing agents. It is an environmentally friendly blowing agent that is designed to meet changing market needs and contribute to the sustainable development of the WPC and PVC foam board industry.