Low odor foam gel balance catalyst is used to improve the flexibility of sole materials

March 7, 2025by admin0

Application of low-odor foam gel balance catalyst in improving the flexibility of sole materials

Introduction

Sole materials are a crucial component in footwear products, and their performance directly affects the comfort, durability and functionality of the shoe. As consumers’ requirements for footwear products continue to increase, the flexibility, lightweight, and environmentally friendly characteristics of sole materials have become the focus of research and development. In recent years, low-odor foam gel balance catalysts have shown significant advantages in improving the flexibility of sole materials. This article will discuss in detail the mechanism of action, product parameters, application effects of this catalyst and its specific application in sole materials.

1. Overview of low-odor foam gel balance catalyst

1.1 What is a low-odor foam gel equilibrium catalyst?

Low odor foaming gel balance catalyst is an additive used in the polymer foaming process. Its main function is to adjust the speed and uniformity of the foaming reaction while reducing the odor of the material. This catalyst optimizes the chemical reaction during the foaming process, so that the material has better flexibility, elasticity and durability after foaming.

1.2 Mechanism of action of catalyst

The low-odor foam gel balance catalyst works by:

Adjust the foaming speed: The catalyst can control the decomposition rate of the foaming agent, making the foaming process more uniform, and avoiding material defects caused by too fast or too slow foaming.
Improve the material structure: Catalysts can promote cross-linking of polymer chains and form a more uniform microporous structure, thereby improving the flexibility and elasticity of the material.
Reduce odor: By optimizing chemical reactions, catalysts can reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during foaming, thereby reducing the odor of the material.

2. Product parameters of low-odor foam gel balance catalyst

2.1 Main ingredients

The main components of low-odor foam gel balance catalyst include:

organometal compounds: organic compounds such as zinc and tin, which are used to adjust the rate of foaming reaction.
Surface active agent: used to improve the dispersion of foaming agents and make the foaming process more uniform.
Stabilizer: Used to prevent the catalyst from decomposing or failing during storage and use.

2.2 Physical and chemical properties

parameter name	parameter value	Instructions
Appearance	Colorless or light yellow liquid	Usually transparent or translucent liquid
Density	1.0-1.2 g/cm³	The density is similar to water
Viscosity	50-200 mPa·s	Medium viscosity, easy to mix and disperse
pH value	6.0-8.0	Neutral or weakly alkaline, non-corrosive to the material
odor	Low odor or odorless	Meet environmental protection requirements and reduce irritation to users
Storage temperature	5-30℃	Avoid high temperatures and direct sunlight, prevent decomposition

2.3 Conditions of use

parameter name	parameter value	Instructions
Additional amount	0.5-2.0%	Adjust to specific materials and foaming process
Mixing Temperature	20-40℃	Avoid high temperatures causing catalyst decomposition
Foaming temperature	100-150℃	Supplementary to common polymer foaming processes
Foaming time	5-15 minutes	Adjust to material thickness and foaming agent type

3. Application of low-odor foaming gel balance catalyst in sole materials

3.1 Frequently Asked Questions about Sole Materials

The traditional sole materials have the following problems in terms of flexibility:

Uneven hardness: Due to uneven reactions during foaming, the hardness distribution of the material is uneven, affecting the comfort of wearing.
Inadequate elasticity: Inadequate elasticity of the material, the sole is prone to deform or break after long-term use.
Odor problems: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during foaming cause a large odor of the material, affecting the user experience.

3.2 Application effects of catalyst

The application of low-odor foaming gel balance catalyst in sole materials can significantly improve the above problems, and the specific effects are as follows:

Improving flexibility: The catalyst optimizes the foaming process to make the material form a more uniform microporous structure, thereby improving flexibility.
Enhanced Elasticity: Catalysts promote cross-linking of polymer chains, making the material more elastic and reducing the risk of deformation and fracture.
Reduce odor: By reducing the production of volatile organic compounds, the catalyst makes the material have a lower odor and improves the user experience.

3.3 Application Cases

The following is a specific application case showing the application effect of low-odor foam gel balance catalyst in sole materials.

parameter name	Traditional Materials	Materials after using catalyst	Improve the effect
Hardness (Shore A)	60-70	50-60	Reduced hardness and improved flexibility
Elastic recovery rate	80%	90%	Elasticity enhancement, reducing deformation
Odor level	Level 3 (medium odor)	Level 1 (low odor)	The smell is significantly reduced, improving user experience
Durability	1000 bending tests break	No break after 2000 bending tests	Durability is significantly improved and service life is extended

IV. Advantages of low-odor foam gel balance catalyst

4.1 Environmental protection

Low odor foam gel balance catalysts by reducing volatile organicThe production of compounds meets environmental protection requirements and reduces environmental pollution.

4.2 Economy

Although the initial cost of the catalyst is high, it can significantly improve the performance and service life of the material, thereby reducing the overall cost.

4.3 Wide applicability

Low odor foam gel balance catalyst is suitable for a variety of polymer materials, such as EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), PU (polyurethane), etc., and has a wide range of application prospects.

5. Future development trends

As consumers’ requirements for footwear products continue to increase, low-odor foam gel balance catalysts will be more widely used in sole materials. In the future, the research on catalysts will pay more attention to the following aspects:

Multifunctionalization: Develop catalysts with multiple functions, such as antibacterial and mildew-proof, and further improve the performance of sole materials.
Intelligent: By introducing intelligent material technology, catalysts can automatically adjust the foaming process according to environmental conditions to improve the adaptability of materials.
Greenization: further reduce the environmental impact of catalysts, develop more environmentally friendly catalysts, and meet the requirements of sustainable development.

Conclusion

As a new material, low-odor foam gel balance catalyst has shown significant advantages in improving the flexibility of sole materials. By optimizing the foaming process, the catalyst can improve the flexibility, elasticity and durability of the material, while reducing odor and enhancing the user experience. With the continuous advancement of technology, the application prospects of low-odor foaming gel balance catalysts in sole materials will be broader.

Table summary

parameter name	Traditional Materials	Materials after using catalyst	Improve the effect
Hardness (Shore A)	60-70	50-60	Reduced hardness and improved flexibility
Elastic recovery rate	80%	90%	Elasticity enhancement, reducing deformation
Odor level	Level 3 (medium odor)	Level 1 (low odor)	The smell is significantly reduced, improving user experience
Durability	1000 bending tests break	No break after 2000 bending tests	Durability is significantly improved and service life is extended

Through the above analysis, we can see that the application of low-odor foam gel balance catalysts in sole materials has significant advantages, which can effectively improve the flexibility, elasticity and durability of the material, while reducing odor and improving user experience. In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology, the application prospects of this catalyst will be broader.