Is Azdel toxic?

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 06/12/2021 | Next review date: 06/12/2023
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Elaine Knight
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In this blog post, we will review the following question: Is Azdel toxic? We will also discuss the pros and cons of using Azdel for travel trailers. We will finally review and explain how to deal with a toxic compound that can be found most new RVs. 

Is Azdel toxic?

No, Azdel is not a toxic product and can be safely used in the manufacture of travel trailers. The Azdel compound is a low-pressure thermoformable compound made with a polypropylene resin matrix and a staple fibre reinforcement. 

Developed especially for travel trailer interior applications, the material offers the following advantages:

  • No risk of delamination
  • No risk of mould or mildew
  • Low weight
  • Good stiffness-to-weight ratio
  • Good dimensional stability
  • High impact resistance over a wide range of temperatures. 

This combination of properties enables engineers to design components that help reduce vehicle weight, without compromising part performance or aesthetics.

In addition to achieving weight savings of up to 50 per cent on some components, Azdel compound offers production advantages. In-ceiling cladding, the first application in which this compound was used, this versatile board is moulded directly in a single operation with the textile surface and special functional layers, eliminating the various production steps required by the materials. traditional. 

Thanks to the product’s good stiffness-to-weight ratio, ceiling tiles can be built with ultra-thin profiles up to just 3 mm thick, half that of conventional systems.

The combination of great versatility and performance makes Azdel compound an excellent material for pre-assembled modular headliners. Allows the entire system to be mounted on a vehicle as a single assembly. Its lightweight and low-pressure formability, often using existing tooling, means that Azdel can reduce the cost of the system by up to 20%. 

Thanks to the advantages of its low weight, its ultra-thin profile and its good stiffness-to-weight ratio, Azdel can be formed with different thicknesses and stiffnesses. In addition, it allows manufacturers to use slightly modified existing tooling, helping to avoid creasing during the installation process. Furthermore, by providing superior moisture resistance and fewer emissions than traditional materials, Azdel may be an ideal candidate for interior applications.

Which RV manufacturers use Azdel?

The following RV manufacturers are known to be using Azdel for their travel trailers: 

  • Aliner: Aliner Campers; Ascape Campers
  • Alliance: Paradigm; Valor
  • ATC: Game Changer; Game Changer Pro
  • Coachmen: Brookstone; Chaparral; Encore; Mirada; Pursuit; Sportscoach SRS & RD  Leprechaun; Prism; CrossTrek; Freelander; Freedom Express: FE Liberty; FE Ultra-Lite; FE Select; Adrenaline; Apex Ultra-Lite’ Apex Nano; Spirit & Northern Spirit.
  • Cruiser: Embrace; Fun Finder; MPG; Radiance; Shadow Cruiser; Stryker.
  • Dynamax: Force; Isata 3; Isata 5; DX3; Dynaquest XL.
  • East To West: Alta; Tandara
  • Entegra: Anthem; Aspire; Cornerstone; Reatta; Reatta XL; Emblem; Vision; Vision XL;  Accolade; Accolade XL; Esteem; Odyssey; Qwest
  • Flagstaff: E-Pro; Micro Lite; Shamrock.
  • Forest River (Motorized): Berkshire; FR3; Georgetown; Forester; Sunseeker; Solera
  • Gulfstream: Sedona; BT Cruiser; Conquest C; Envision; Geo; Gulf Breeze; Matrix;  Northern Express; Streamlite; Vintage Cruiser; Vista Cruiser
  • Heartland: Big Country; Bighorn; Bighorn Traveler; Cyclone; Elkridge; Fuel; Gravity  Landmark 365; Milestone; Road Warrior; Torque; Mallard UltraLite; North Trail Ultra Lite; Sundance TT.
  • IBEX: IBEX Travel Trailers
  • Jayco: Jay Feather Micro
  • Lance Camper: Lance Travel Trailers; Lance Truck Campers
  • Newmar: Bay Star; Bay Star Sport; Canyon Star; Dutch Star; Essex; King Aire; Kountry Star; London Aire; Mountain Aire; New Aire; Ventana;  Super Star; Supreme Aire
  • Nexus: Bentley; Evoque; Maybach; Viper; Phantom; Triumph; Ghost; Wraith
  • No Boundaries (NOBO): NOBO Travel Trailers
  • nuCamp: Tab 400; Tab CS; Tab S; Tag & Tag XL; Avia; Cirrus
  • Palomino: Columbus; Compass; PaloMini; Puma; Real-Lite Mini; Revolve; River Ranch  Solaire; Expandable; Solaire Ultra Lite
  • Renegade: Explorer; Ikon; Valencia; Verona; Verona LE; Vienna XL
  • Rockwood: Geo Pro; Mini Lite; Roo
  • R-Pod: R-Pod Travel Trailers
  • Shasta: Phoenix
  • Surveyor: Grand Surveyor; Legend
  • Tiffin: Wayfarer
  • Travel Lite: Rove Lite
  • Winnebago: Adventurer; Forza; Intent; Journey;  Sunstar; Vista; Minnie Winnie; Ekko  Navion; Spirit; View; Outlook; Porto; Vita; Hike; Micro Minnie; Minnie; Spyder 5th & TT; Voyage 5th & TT
  • Work and Play: Work and Play Toy Haulers
  • Xtreme Outdoors: Little Guy Mini; Little Guy Max

What are the disadvantages of Azdel?

Perhaps the only disadvantage of Azdel is that it is way more expensive than other common compounds found in travel trailers, such as luan for example.

Luan, or Lauan wood, is a type of commercial wood product that is processed from trees of the genus Shorea.  Lauan wood products are often in the form of plywood and veneer. In addition to veneer, Lauan wood is ideally used for any project that requires lightweight wood, such as travel trailers, boats or kayaks.

What type of RV materials are toxic?

First of all, we have to highlight the fact that RVs are generally not made with any toxic materials. Especially in the past decade, RV manufacturers have been using compounds that are 75% to 85% ecological and biodegradable. 

There may be some unpleasant (or should we say “smelly) situations, however, that are mostly encountered in new RVs. And these issues come either from formaldehyde.

What is formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colourless gas (one of the many volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) obtained from petrochemicals and which is present in particular in the manufacture of glues, resins and varnishes.

Materials and furniture are the main sources of exposure to formaldehyde. Specifically, we find it in:

  • Particleboard, medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and hardwood plywood used in the manufacture of furniture, countertops and kitchen cabinets;
  • Certain paints, stains, glues, certain varnishes and cleaning products;
  • Laminate floors;
  • Textiles (curtains, rugs, etc.);
  • Smoke from combustion appliances, etc.

Found in the air we breathe, long-term exposure to formaldehyde is the problem. Fortunately, their fumes subside over the years, but no home is exempt from these toxic smells. You must therefore remain vigilant and ensure good ventilation. Otherwise, breathing problems and allergies can develop, especially in children and people with hypersensitivity.

How do I get rid of the formaldehyde smell in my camper?

If you got a new camper, you must be wondering how to get rid of the formaldehyde smell! The good news is that there are a few tips that you can try for quick results: 

  • Open windows every few minutes to days to let in the fresh air – unless you have asthma caused by outdoor air pollution or pollen or are concerned about safety.
  • Install and use exhaust fans whenever possible.
  • Keep the temperature and humidity inside your camper at the lowest possible comfort level.
  • Make your camper smoke-free. Do not allow anyone to smoke in your camper.
  • Choose low-formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free products for your future purchases. Such as furniture, wood cabinets or floor coverings made without urea-formaldehyde (UF) glues and choose insulation without UF foam.
  • Wash clothes and curtains with permanent ironing before using them.
  • Allow new products to release formaldehyde outside your living space before installing or using them indoors. If possible, keep them out of your living space until you can no longer smell a chemical odour.
  • Install depolluting or purifying plants such as gerbera or ivy which neutralize emissions and indoor pollution.

Note: The levels decrease over time. Most of the formaldehyde is released after two years.

How to prevent high concentrations of formaldehyde in my camper?

It is not very complicated, to avoid a too high concentration of formaldehyde emanations, you must, at all times, make sure to have good ventilation of the rooms by using the range hood, the ventilation fan and a bathroom and air exchanger.

Also check the temperature and humidity of the premises: the hotter and humid the air, the more the furniture diffuses its formaldehyde.

You can also take action, at the source, by reducing as much as possible the number of chipboard and furniture, curtains and synthetic rugs, especially if there are children on board.

Need new furniture or rugs? Choose furniture made from materials that are low in formaldehyde. Look for the following approvals:

The mention of “No added formaldehyde” means that the adhesive used in the panels does not emit any, but that the wood that composes them naturally releases it. We then speak of low or very low content. 

FAQ on Is Azdel toxic?

Will Azdel suffer from delamination?

No, Azdel travel trailers will not delaminate, since this compound is hardly affected by weather. This also means that Azdel is great for preventing mould and mildew issues in your camper. 

How to remove formaldehyde odour?

To remove the formaldehyde odour from new products, keep them out of your living space until you can no longer smell a chemical odour. If it is not possible, then install depolluting or purifying plants such as gerbera or ivy that neutralize emissions and indoor pollution 

Where is formaldehyde found?

Formaldehyde is often found in textiles and clothing where it can irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions, eczema and contact dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). It is also found in household linen (sheets, pillows, curtains …), cosmetics or furniture.

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