Thermal insulation rigid foams

The ingredients for polyurethane flexible foam are Freon 11, polyether polyol-triol, polyurethane and TDI. Polyurethane fire-resistant rigid foam is produced from Freon 11, polyether polyol-hexol, polyether polyol-phosphorus, polyisocyanates and polyurethane. MDI foam has advantages over TDI foam, particularly in that it is easier and safer to handle, and for this reason is widely used as a thermal insulation. Flexible foams account for over 60% of the consumption of polyurethanes31,32. 

The lower molecular weight polymers of propylene oxide and propylene oxide adduct copolymers are used as surfactants, hydraulic fluids, and machine and metal-working lubricants. Propylene oxide adducts of polyhydroxy compounds, such as glycerine, trimethylolpropane, or pentaerythritol or sorbitol, are principal polyols used in making polyurethane elastomers, rigid thermal insulation, flexible foams, and coatings. 

Polyurethane. SmaU quantities of polyurethane film are produced as a tough mbber-like film. Polyurethane is more commonly used to produce foamed sheet, both flexible and rigid. The flexible foam is used as cushioning in furniture and bedding the rigid foam is widely used for architectural insulation because of its outstanding thermal insulation efficiency (see Urethane POLYMERS). 

Extruded Rigid Foa.m. In addition to low temperature thermal insulation, foamed PSs are used for insulation against ambient temperatures in the form of perimeter insulation and insulation under floors and in walls and roofs. The upside-down roof system has been patented (256), in which foamed plastic such as Styrofoam (Dow) plastic foam is appHed above the tar-paper vapor seal, thereby protecting the tar paper from extreme thermal stresses that cause cracking. The foam is covered with gravel or some other wear-resistant topping (see Roofing materials). 

Polyurethane foams are generally made using a polyalcohol rather than a diol as the monomer, so the polymer has a high amount of three-dimensional cross-linking. The result is a rigid but very light foam suitable for use as thermal insulation in building construction and portable ice chests. 

Rigid polyurethane foams are mostly based on polyether alcohol and are highly cross-linked. Rigid foams are many times blown by halogenated alkanes like trichlorofluoromethane. These foams have closed cell structures and are used for thermal insulation. Semi-rigid foams are used in car crashpads and packaging. 

Chloroalkyl phosphates such as tris(l,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCiPP) and tris(chloro-wc>-propyl) phosphate (TC/PP) are more often used in textile backcoatings, in rigid and flexible pol3mrethane foams, which are used for thermal insulation and for furniture and upholstery, respectively [63]. In contrast, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is now more frequently used in PVC, unsaturated polyester resins, and textile backcoatings [63]. 

The dimensional stability of low density, water blown rigid PU foams for pour-in-place thermal insulation applications was improved by the use of a phthalic anhydride based polyester polyol containing a dispersed cell opening agent. The foam systems obtained allowed some of the carbon dioxide to be released through the cell windows immediately after filling of the cavity, and to be rapidly replaced by air. Studies were made of the flowability, density, open cell content, dimensional stability, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and adhesion (particularly to flame treated PE) of these foams. These properties were examined in comparison with those of HCFC-141b blown foams. 21 refs. 

A stndy was made of the effects of foam formulation and process conditions and liner composition on the adhesion of HCFC-141b blown rigid PU foam thermal insulation to refrigerator liner protective layers made of ABS, high-impact PS (HIPS), PE and blends of HIPS and PE containing a compatibiliser and adhesion promoter. A tensile test was used to quantify the level of adhesion before and after thermal cycling, and the Brett mould was used for laboratory simulations of foam adhesion within... 

The bulk of the ngid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam is used in insulation. See also Insulation (Thermal) More than half (60%) of the rigid foam consumed in 1994 was in the form of board or laminate die remainder was used in pour-in-place and spray foam applications. 

Thermal degradation of foams is not different from that of the solid polymer, except in that the foam structure imparts superior thermal insulation properties, so that the decomposition of the foam will be slower than that of the solid polymer. Almost every plastic can be produced with a foam structure, but only a few are commercially significant. Of these flexible and rigid polyurethane (PU) foams, those which have urethane links in the polymer chain are the most important. The thermal decomposition products of PU will depend on its composition that can be chemically complex due to the wide range of starting materials and combinations, which can be used to produce them and their required properties. Basically, these involve the reaction between isocyanates, such as toluene 2,4- and 2,6-diisocyanate (TDI) or diphenylmethane 4,3-diisocyanate (MDI), and polyols. If the requirement is for greater heat stability and reduced brittleness, then MDI is favored over TDI. 

When plastics are foamed to low densities, containing more air than polymer, they acquire unique new properties and applications. Major uses are in crash padding and thermal insulation. Closed-cell foams are outstanding for flotation, rigidity, and insulation while open-cell foams are outstanding for softness, resilience, and comfort. 

Rigid polyurethane foam is used primarily as thermal insulation for buildings, trucks, rail cars, shipping containers, tanks, pipelines, cold-storage warehouses, and frozen food display cases. 

PEs provide many unusual properties to the cellular plastics industry. These foams are tough, flexible and chemical and abrasion resistant. They are known to have superior electrical and thermal insulation properties. Their mechanical properties are intermediate between rigid and highly flexible foams. Densities are 2 lb/ft3 and higher, approaching that of the solid plastics. The highly expanded polyolefin foams are potentially the least expensive of the cellular plastics. However, they require expensive processing techniques and for this... 

The GMP s process eliminates the use of sheet metal for the skin of the refrigerator door. In this application, the thermoplastic film forms a durable, protective outer skin with a wide choice of color options that are applied directly to the film. In addition more innovations exist apart from the film and thermoplastic interior liner, the doors consist entirely of polyurethane. GMP backs the thermoplastic film with an approximately 4 mm thick layer of the Baydur 110 structural foam polyurethane RIM system from Bayer AG that creates a rigid, dimensionally stable outer shell with no need for sheet metal. Then, GMP fills the space between this shell and the inner liner with insulating polyurethane foam, a rigid, low-density foam. The result is a self-supporting door that satisfies all stability, thermal insulation, and surface finish requirements. 

Table 10.1 Physical properties of commercial extruded polystyrene foams ASTM C578 - Standard for Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation... 

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