Alkyl ketene dimer, English name alkyl ketene dimer AKD, is a reactive neutral paper sizing agent.

Chinese Name

Alkyl Ketene Dimer

Foreign Name

alkyl ketene dimer AKD

Alias

Papermaking Additive

Appearance

Waxy solid

Melting Point

46 °C

H

3-4

Appearance

Milky white or slightly yellow emulsion

Solid Content

10-15%

Dispersibility

Easily decomposes in cold water

Relative Density

1.010+0.005

Physicochemical Properties:

AKD is an unsaturated lactone. The product is a waxy solid insoluble in water, with a melting point of about 51-52°C. AKD used for paper sizing must be made into an emulsion, with particle sizes of about 0.5-2 μm. The emulsion appears white and is highly prone to hydrolysis, so its shelf life is generally short, only 3-6 months. Due to advancements in synthesis and emulsification technology, the solid content of AKD emulsions can reach 40% or higher, significantly reducing the tendency for hydrolysis and migration.

Uses:

As a reactive neutral paper sizing agent, it is mainly used for internal sizing of paper types such as coated base paper, copy paper, archival paper, dictionary paper, and high-quality writing paper. The sizing pH can reach around 8.0, making it suitable for alkaline sizing, widely adopted both domestically and internationally. This product can also be used for surface sizing.