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Azodicarbonamide AC Foaming Agent: Uses, Benefits & Applications Guide

2025-02-25

Introduction: What is Azodicarbonamide (AC) blowing agent?


Azodicarbonamide (AC blowing agent) is a highly efficient chemical blowing agent widely used in many industries such as plastics, rubber, building materials, automotive, packaging and so on. It is used to form a uniform bubble structure in materials by decomposing under heat and releasing gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide.AC blowing agent is the blowing agent of choice in many industries due to its high efficiency, low cost and versatility. Whether it's manufacturing lightweight materials or improving the sound and heat insulation properties of products, AC blowing agents play an irreplaceable role.
 

Working principle of AC blowing agent


The core function of AC blowing agent is to produce gas through thermal decomposition. When the temperature reaches its decomposition point (usually 160°C to 200°C), AC blowing agent will decompose rapidly, releasing a large amount of gas. These gases form tiny bubbles in the material, reducing its density and improving its properties.
In the plastics industry, AC blowing agent is commonly used for foaming PVC, EVA and other materials used in the manufacture of yoga mats, shoe soles, packaging materials and so on. In the rubber industry, it is used to produce automobile seals, shoe soles and other products. In addition, AC blowing agent is also widely used in the building materials industry, for example, in the manufacture of lightweight acoustic panels, heat-insulating materials and so on.
 

Advantages of AC blowing agent

 

Efficient foaming performance


AC blowing agent is able to decompose rapidly at low temperatures, generating a large amount of gas and forming a uniform bubble structure, which significantly improves the performance of the material. Compared with other blowing agents, AC blowing agent has higher foaming efficiency and can complete the foaming process in a short period of time, thus improving production efficiency.

Cost Effectiveness


Compared with other chemical blowing agents, AC blowing agent is inexpensive and suitable for mass production, which can effectively reduce production costs. AC blowing agent is a cost-effective choice for companies that need to use large quantities of blowing agent.

Multifunctionality


AC blowing agent is applicable to a variety of materials (such as plastics, rubber, building materials) and processes, and can meet the needs of different industries. Whether it is manufacturing lightweight packaging materials or producing highly elastic shoe soles, AC blowing agent can provide ideal foaming effect.

Environmental performance


The gases produced during the decomposition of AC blowing agent are mainly nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which have less impact on the environment and meet the needs of modern industry for environmentally friendly materials. In addition, the production process of AC blowing agent is constantly being improved to minimize the negative impact on the environment.
 

Application fields of AC blowing agent

 

Plastic industry


AC blowing agent is widely used in the foaming of PVC, EVA and other materials for the manufacture of yoga mats, shoe soles, packaging materials and so on. Its efficient foaming performance can significantly reduce the density of the material while enhancing the softness and elasticity of the product. For example, in the production of yoga mats, AC blowing agent can provide a uniform bubble structure, making the product lighter and with good cushioning performance.
 

Rubber industry


In rubber products, AC blowing agent is used in the production of shoe soles, automobile seals and other products. Its uniform pore structure can improve the durability and comfort of the products. For example, in the production of sports shoe soles, AC blowing agent can provide good elasticity and shock absorption, thus enhancing the wearing experience.

Building materials industry


AC blowing agent is also widely used in the building materials industry, for example, in the manufacture of lightweight acoustic panels and heat insulation materials. Its efficient foaming performance can significantly reduce the weight of the material, and at the same time improve the sound insulation and heat insulation effect. For example, in the production of lightweight acoustic panels, AC blowing agent can provide a uniform bubble structure to effectively reduce noise transmission.

Automotive industry


In automobile manufacturing, AC blowing agent is used in the production of lightweight acoustic insulation materials, seals and so on. Its efficient foaming performance can significantly reduce the weight of automobiles, thus improving fuel efficiency. For example, in the production of automotive interior materials, AC blowing agent can provide good sound insulation effect, thus improving driving comfort.

Packaging industry


AC blowing agents are also widely used in the packaging industry, for example, in the manufacture of lightweight packaging materials. Its efficient foaming properties can significantly reduce the weight of packaging materials, thereby reducing transportation costs. For example, in the production of packaging for electronic products, AC blowing agent can provide good cushioning performance to protect the products from damage during transportation.
 

How to choose the right AC blowing agent?


When selecting an AC blowing agent, the following factors need to be considered:
 

1. Material compatibility


Different materials have different requirements for blowing agents, so you first need to ensure that the AC blowing agent is compatible with the target material. For example:

Plastic materials: such as PVC, EVA, etc., you need to choose the decomposition temperature and processing temperature to match the AC blowing agent to ensure uniform foaming effect.

Rubber materials: e.g. natural rubber, synthetic rubber, etc. AC blowing agents that provide high elasticity and durability need to be selected.

Composite materials: For the foaming of multilayer or composite materials, it is necessary to ensure that the AC blowing agent does not react adversely with other components.
 

2. Foaming effect requirements


Depending on the end use of the product, select an AC blowing agent that can fulfill a specific foaming effect. The following are some common foaming effect requirements:

Density requirement: If low density material is required, AC blowing agent with high foaming efficiency and high gas release should be selected.

Bubble structure: For products requiring uniform bubble structure (e.g. yoga mats, sound insulation materials), AC blowing agents with stable decomposition temperature and uniform gas release should be selected.

Elasticity and hardness: for products requiring high elasticity (e.g. shoe soles), AC blowing agent that can provide good elasticity should be selected; for products requiring high hardness (e.g. building materials), models with moderate gas release should be selected.

3. Processing conditions


The performance of AC blowing agent is greatly affected by the processing conditions, so the following factors should be considered when selecting:

Processing temperature: The decomposition temperature of AC blowing agent is usually 160°C to 200°C, so it is necessary to ensure that its decomposition temperature matches the processing temperature. If the processing temperature is too high or too low, it may lead to uneven foaming or poor foaming effect.

Processing time: Different production processes require different foaming times. For example, injection molding requires fast foaming, while extrusion molding requires a more stable foaming process.

Pressure conditions: Under certain high-pressure processing conditions, it is necessary to select an AC blowing agent that can be stabilized and decomposed in a high-pressure environment.

Future Development Trends


With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and safety, the research and development of AC blowing agent is moving towards a safer and more environmentally friendly direction. In the future, more low-toxicity, high-efficiency alternatives are likely to emerge, while production processes will become more sustainable. For example, researchers are developing new blowing agents to minimize the negative impact on the environment. In addition, with the development of smart manufacturing technologies, the production process of AC blowing agents will become more efficient and precise.
 

Conclusion


Azodicarbonamide (AC) blowing agents have become important materials in many industries such as plastics, rubber, building materials, automotive, and packaging due to their high efficiency, low cost, and versatility. Through the proper selection and use of AC blowing agents, companies can enhance product performance while ensuring compliance and safety.
If you need to know more about AC blowing agent or buy high quality blowing agent products, please visit Zhejiang Shuntai Technology.
 

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