Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a spray-applied plastic that can form a continuous insulation and air sealing barrier on walls, roofs, around corners, and on all contoured surfaces. It is made by mixing and reacting unique liquid components at the job site to create foam. The liquids react very quickly when mixed, expanding on contact to create foam that insulates, seals gaps, and can form moisture and vapor barriers. SPF insulation is known to resist heat transfer extremely well, and it offers a highly effective solution in reducing unwanted air infiltration through cracks, seams, and joints.
TYPES OF SPRAY POLYURETHANE FOAM
There are three primary types of SPF that can be used for insulation and other specific purposes:
-HIGH-DENSITY SPF ADVANTAGES: often used for exterior and roofing applications
Builders often turn to high-density spray foam when high insulation values and strength are needed. As its name implies, this foam has a denser structure than either of the other types of spray foam. This spray foam is often an excellent choice for roof-ing or other exterior insulation because of its seamless, monolithic nature. High-densi-ty spray foam can also help reduce energy costs significantly over a roof’s lifetime due to its thermal resistance properties. It also offers increased protection against air and water infiltration and strengthens the structure to which it is applied. The bond that spray foam forms to the roof can increase a building’s resistance to wind uplift, which can help reduce damage experienced during periods of high wind.
-MEDIUM -DENSITY SPF ADVANTAGES: often used for continuous insulation, interior cavity fill, and unvented attic applications
Medium-density foam is applied at low- or high-pressure two-component spray foam. Medium-density foam offers specific benefits depending on the climate and the type of building in which it is used. Like low-density foam, medium-density SPF is often used for continuous insulation, interior wall cavity fill, and unvented attic applications. However, medium-density is a closed-cell spray foam; it is often used where there is need for the greatest R-value insulation per inch possi-ble. Medium-density foam acts as an air, vapor, and water barrier, and can even help reduce noise.
Medium-density foam can also provide a high tensile and bond strength. It can provide low vapor permanence and is often not affected by moisture such as wind-driven rains.
-LOW-DENSITY SPF ADVANTAGES: often used for interior cavity fill and unvented attic applications
Also known as open-cell-foam, low-density spray foam is spray applied to provide a continuous insulation and an air-sealing barrier. Low-density SPF is also called ½ pound foam, as it weighs almost 0.5 lbs. per cubic foot. The foam’s open-cell structure gives some flexibility to the hardened foam.
Low-density foam is applied at low or high-pressure, two-component polyurethane spray foam. Low- density spray foam can be applied on walls, in unvented attics, to ducts and ceilings, and in vented attics and crawl spaces. It is known as an air barrier, but permeable to vapor and moisture. It is often used to fill cavities in walls during construction.
Due to its relatively large cell structure, low-density foam stays somewhat soft and flexible after curing. Low-density spray foam provides heat insulation and seals airflow through cracks, joints and seams by filling the cavities. In addition, this foam can help absorb sound thanks to its softer texture and open-cell structure.
Medium and High Density SPF are frequently called “closed-cell foam” because they use an internal closed cell structure that improves thermal resistance and other properties. Low Density SPF is frequently called “open-cell foam” because the cell structure includes tiny holes in the cells to provide improved drying capability and flexibility.
THE MAIN DELIVERY SYSTEMS INCLUDE:
- HIGH-PRESSURE, TWO-COMPONENT FOAM
High-pressure, two-component foam is often used to insulate large areas on new con-struction or major renovations of walls and roofing systems. For a typical high-pressure SPF application, a spray rig (truck
or trailer) that houses the spray foam ingredients, air supply and other items is parked near the building to be sprayed. Hoses up to about 300 feet in length deliver the liquid ingredients to the application area.
- LOW-PRESSURE, TWO-COMPONENT FOAM SPF KITS
Low-pressure, two-component SPF kits or refillable cylinders are smaller, portable sys-tems that can insulate and air-seal small to mid-sized areas. This type of foam is usually applied around duct work, electrical or piping penetrations, rim joints and roof repairs. Both high-pressure and low-pressure foams are applied by professional spray foam applicators.
Spray Foam is made up of two Materials:
- MDI (A-SIDE OR ISOCYANATE SIDE): is made up of just one component, Polymer-ic Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (PMDI). Often referred to as Isocyanate, or short ISO.
- POLYOL BLEND (RESIN OR B-SIDE): is a mixture of many components.
- Polyols
- Water and Blowing Agents
- Catalysts
- Fire Retardants
- Surfactants and miscellaneous additives
SPRAY ON SITE CHEMICALS
SAPTEX FORMULATED POLYOL AND MDI are being used as a system for spray poly-urethane rigid foam. It is widely used in the insulation markets, such as construction industry.
SAPTEX is Formulating POLYOL as per client requirements in SAPTEX SYSTEM HOUSE which is located in Riyadh
Excellent operational ability, mechanical properties, good adhesion with, B2/B3 fire behavior and low thermal conductivity are the main features when SAPTEX POLYOL reacts with MDI. This system is quickly so-lidifies by spraying and has enough rigidity to bear the load that’s why it can be used on building roofs, walls or floors.
Spray polyurethane foam can help to reduce the energy use in buildings
FEATURES OF FOAM:
- Low thermal conductivity
- High R-value
- High compressive strength
AVAILABLE DENSITIES:
- Low density chemical(35 – 40 kg/m³)
- Medium density chemical(40 – 45 kg/m³)
- High density chemical(50 – 60 kg/m³)
- Other densities upon request.
(Technical data sheet will be provided on request)
