Polyurethane foams blowing agents

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) - As applied to polyurethane foams, blowing agents having chlorine and fluorine in their chemical structure. CFCs are gradually being replaced by other blowing agents because of concern about their adverse effect on the atmospheric ozone layer. 

The use of CFCs as foam blowing agents has decreased 35% from 1986 levels. Polyurethanes, phenoHcs, extmded polystyrenes, and polyolefins are blown with CFCs, and in 1990 the building and appHance insulation markets represented about 88% of the 174,000 t of CFCs used in foams (see Foamed plastics). 

Rubber Aniline, acrylonitrile, polyurethane, chemical blowing agents (for foam rubber)... 

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) were hailed as wonder products, following Midgley s discovery of the first one, CF2CI2 (known as CFC 12), in 1930. Their chemical inertness, non-flammability and non-toxic nature rapidly led to their large-scale use as safe refrigerants, aerosol propellants and foam blowing agents in the production of polyurethane foams. 

The thermal conductivity of a cellular polymer can change upon aging under ambient conditions if the gas composition is influenced by such aging. Such a case is evidenced when oxygen or nitrogen diffuses into polyurethane foams that initially have only a fluorocarbon blowing agent in the cells (32,130,143,190,191,198-201). 

Foam density is largely a function of the concentration of blowing agents. There has been a strong development towards the use of less expanded, i.e. higher density rigid cellular polyurethanes. This includes not only the so-called structural foams for simulated wood but also unexpanded solid materials used for brush handles and gun stocks. This range is clearly indicated in Table 27.4. ... 

The R s of a fibrous or cellular insulation like those in Table 2 generally decrease as the temperature increases. In the case of closed-cell polymeric foams like polyurethane nr pnlyisncyanurate board, the R may decrease if the insulation temperature drops below the condensation temperature of the blowing agent in the cells. This is because of changes in the gas- phase composition and therefore the gas-phase thermal conductivity. The R of insulations also depends on density when all other factors are constant. The relationship bett een R and density... 

The tank is typically about sixteen inches in diameter and about four to five feet tall. The top of the tank is domed upward and the bottom of the tank is also domed upward in a concave manner. The outside of the tank is insulated with a polyurethane foam insulation that is squirted into the gap between the tank and a thinner sheet metal jacket. The polyurethane is made of two different components that react and harden when mixed. Included in the mixture is a blowing agent that causes the polyurethane to expand in a foam-like manner. Prior to about 1980, water heaters were insulated with fiberglass insulation. The foam insulation process was developed to allow automation and increased manufacturing speed and reduced costs. A side benefit was improved insulating ability leading to a slight increase in efficiency. 

Methylene chloride has a wide variety of markets. One major use is a paint remover. It is also used as a degreasing solvent, a blowing agent for polyurethane foams, and a solvent for cellulose acetate. 

Perhaps the most significant recent issue for the industry was the phase-out of CFCs as blowing agents resulting from the Montreal Protocol (1987) and Clean Air Act (1990).19 These regulations mandate specific timelines for discontinuation and, since foams comprise the bulk of polyurethane applications, have prompted a worldwide search for alternatives. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, HFCs, and hydrocarbons (HCs) are now the blowing agents of choice. Which one is... 

Polyurethanes (PURs) are usually described as being prepared by the reaction of diols with diisocyanates. However, this is an oversimplification because often water is deliberately added in the production of flexible polyurethane foams. Unreacted isocyanate groups react with water to form carbon dioxide and urea groups in the polymer chain. The carbon dioxide acts as a blowing agent in the production of PUR foams. Also, polyurethanes can be formed by the reaction of bischloroformates with diamines. 

Report 142 Blowing Agents for Polyurethane Foams, S.N. Singh, Huntsman Polyurethanes. 

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