Multiple choice

Which one of the following is/are not used as blowing agent(s) in plastic?

  1. Isocyanate

  2. Titanium hydride

  3. Sodium bicarbonate

  4. Azo-hydrazine

  5. Both 1 and 2

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A blowing agent is a substance which is capable of producing a cellular structure via a foaming process in a variety of materials that undergo hardening or phase transition, such as polymers, plastics and metals. Chemical blowing agents are isocyanate and water (for PUs), azo-, hydrazine and other nitrogen-based materials (for thermoplastic and elastomeric foams), sodium bicarbonate (aka baking soda, used in thermoplastic foams). Titanium hydride is used as a foaming agent in the production of metal foams, as it decomposes to form titanium and hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures.