Polyurethane Foam (PUF) Technical Information - Piping Technology & Products, Inc - PDF

5/29/2020 Polyurethane Foam (PUF) Technical Information | Piping Technology & Products, Inc.
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POLYURETHANE FOAM (PUF) TECHNICAL

INFORMATION
Polyurethane foam is one of the major components of pre-insulated pipe supports

manufactured at Piping Technology & Products. Polyurethane is di erent from most plastic
materials in that it can be tailored to meet various load requirements of varying
applications. Polyurethane foams are produced by reacting an equal ratio of di- or
polyisocyanurates with polyols, in the presence of water, which acts as the blowing agent.
Polyisocyanurates are formed when a higher ratio of di- or polyisocyanate are mixed with
the polyol. All rigid foams made from polyisocyanurate systems have some form of
polyurethane in them and can be called polyurethane foam. The physical properties di er
very little at high densities. Polyisocyanurate foams are used in applications where
dimensional stability over 200 deg F is required. However, for cryogenic applications, where
your pipeline insulation is not exposed to high temperatures, PUF is an acceptable
substitution.
A common method used to obtain a change in load capacity is a change in density. At Piping
Technology and Products, we o er 10 lbs. / ft3, 14 lbs. / ft3, and 20 lbs. / ft3 densities.
Density varies when the amount of blowing agent (water content) changes. The density of
polyurethane decreases with increase in water content (See Fig. 1). This relationship can be
shown as follows:
W = 3.706 / D1.126
Where: W = % of water content

D = Density of foam (lbs./ft3.)
In addition to density, the strength of a rigid urethane foam is also in uenced by many
factors such as catalyst, surfactant, type of mixing, the type of foaming system: base polyol
and isocyanate, and the in uence of each of these on the foam cell structure.
Rigid urethane foams generally have an elastic region in which stress is nearly proportional
to strain. They do not exactly follow Hooke’s Law (stress is proportional to strain) becauseTop
https://pipingtech.com/resources/technical-bulletins/polyurethane-foam-puf-technical-information/ 1/9
the curve is very slightly “S”

shaped. Fig. 2 shows this in
detail.
Polyurethane is anisotropic, or
polyurethane is stronger in the
direction of foam rise. At Piping
Technology and Products, the
anisotropic character or
directional properties of our
polyurethane is reduced by
overloading the mold used to
form the polyurethane. By
overloading the mold, we can
control the cell structure and
provide uniform physical
properties. A relationship
between compressive strength
and the density of the foam is
given in Fig. 3.
Polyurethane is a thermosetting material;

however, it does soften slightly with
increased temperature and hardens
somewhat at very low temperatures.
Softening at high temperatures a ects the
polyurethane in two ways: (a) loss of
strength properties and (b) change in foam
dimensions (particularly low-density
foams). Low temperatures generally have a
very little e ect on polyurethane properties
other than to make them a little harder and
more brittle. See Fig. 4 for these e ects.
Rigid polyurethane foams have a relatively

large amount of cross-linking as the foam
expands. Our suppliers of the raw
chemicals control the degree of cross-
linking by functionality (higher functionality produces more cross-links) and molecular
weight of the components in the blend. The rigid cells provide the poured foam with
strength and the interior space provides low thermal conductivity. Water is used as the
blowing agent for foam in this 10 to 40 lb. density range.
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The relationship between temperature,

thermal conductivity and the density of
polyurethane foam is shown in Fig. 5.
The relationships of foam’s density with its

Elastic Modules in Compression, Tensile
Strength, Elastic Modules in Tension, and
Shear Strength are given in Figs. 6 through
9 respectively. Please see the following for
the respective curves.
Piping Technology & Products has a

complete manufacturing facility for
production of polyurethane required for
pipe supports. We invite our customers to
visit our facility and observe the fabrication
of insulated pipe supports of all types.
FLEXURAL
TENSILE MODULUS CLOSED TEMPERATURE
STRENGTH THERMAL
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CELL (F) K- (
DENSITY ( atwise CONDUCTIVITY
STRENGTH (with ELASTICITY CONTENT CONTINUOUS FACTOR 1
with gran) (btu/hr m^2 of)
grain) (psi) (psi) (%) OPERATION
(psi)
PUF
200.00 400.00 300.00 6,000.00 95.00 -300.00 0.08 0.1600
(10lb/cuft)
PUF
300.00 600.00 500.00 11,000.00 95.00 -300.00 0.12 0.2000
(14lb/cuft)
PUF
500.00 1,100.00 600.00 20,000.00 95.00 -300.00 0.14 0.2500
(20lb/cuft)
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5/29/2020 Polyurethane Foam (PUF) Technical Information | Piping Technology & Products, Inc.

Toll Free: (800) 787-5914 (tel:1-800-787-5914)

POLYURETHANE FOAM (PUF) TECHNICAL

Polyurethane foam is one of the major components of pre-insulated pipe supports

Where: W = % of water content

the curve is very slightly “S”

Polyurethane is a thermosetting material;

Rigid polyurethane foams have a relatively

The relationship between temperature,

The relationships of foam’s density with its

Piping Technology & Products has a

Have questions regarding our products or need a quote?

CONTACT OUR PRODUCT SPECIALIST (/CONTACT-US/REQUEST-A-QUOTE/)

U.S. Bellows: Metallic & Fabric Expansion Joints, Bellows (http://www.usbellows.com/)

Sweco Fab: ASME Vessels, Pig Launchers, Spectacle Blinds (https://www.swecofab.com/)

Fronek Anchor/Darling: Snubbers, Sway Struts & Sway Braces

+1 (713) 731-0030 (tel:1-713-731-0030)

(800) 787-5914 (tel:1-800-787-5914)

+1 (713) 731-8640 (tel:1-713-731-8640)

Facilities (/about-us/facilities/) Top

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