Products

Spray Urethane Foams

Manufacturing Process:

Urethane foams are manufactured through a complex chemical process. Urethane foam is a mixture of a polymeric isocyanate and a resin. The resins contain polyols, blowing agents, flame retardants, catalysts and surfactants. In general, these materials can be lumped together and called petroleum and mineral-based products. Most applications are a two-component system. The materials are heated, metered and sprayed under high pressure. The mixed material leaves the spray gun, where, depending on the type of foam, it expands to 30 to 100 times its size. Product types range from one-half pound density, open cell foam to very high density, closed-cell foams used in molding applications. Most insulation foams are 1.5 to 2 pound density closed cell foams.

Water Permeability and Moisture Absorption:

Closed-cell foams have a perm rating of around 2. Closed-cell foams have a water absorption rate of about 1%. Due to the seamless installation of the product, water absorption is very small as there is no air movement through the product.

Fire Resistance:

Urethane foams, just like all polystyrenes, are considered a plastic insulation. State and local Building Codes dictate the application of all plastic insulations.

Content and Shipping:

Most of the polyols in urethane foams come from recycled or agricultural products. The products are shipped in drums, which reduces shipping costs. Because of the amount of expansion (30% to 100%), and the smaller volume of insulation needed to achieve any R value, the container cost is small for the volume of R values. And, in most cases, the drums are recycled. The application produces very little waste compared to other insulation products.

Selections:

There are several densities to chose from, depending on the application requirements. As spray urethane foam expands to fit all voids, there is no need for numerous products.

Application:

Spray urethane foam needs to be applied under dry and warm conditions. Winter work can be done by heating the interior of a building. As there is no moisture induced into the building, there is no “drying” time or moisture concerns.