Polyurethane (Pu) Spray Foam
Pu is short for polyurethane, and Pu foam is a synthetic material formed when two chemicals, isocyanate, and polyol, are reacted. It has various uses in the industry, and it is a popular insulation material. Pu foam is good for both insulating large areas and filling in cracks and gaps. In addition, it provides consumers with durable, thermal, and water-resistant insulation.
Akfix Store offers high-quality Pu foam materials that will fit your needs best no matter what kind of insulation you prefer.
What is Pu Foam?
Pu foam stands for Polyurethane Foam. It is a kind of polymer that emerges as a result of the reaction of isocyanates and polyols. It has a porous form providing it resilience and a padding effect. Therefore, it is used in many areas of the industry, such as automotive seating, footwear, furniture, packaging, bedding, soundproofing, and insulation. Besides the basic raw materials, Pu foam can be produced with various additives depending on the desired features.
Is Pu Foam Toxic?
The answer to this question is: “No, it is not!” Polyurethane is produced via the chemical reaction between a polyol and isocyanate. Therefore, many consumers want to know whether it presents any kind of health risk. However, after the chemical reaction is over, it is entirely safe for humans if used properly.
Is Pu Foam Recyclable?
It is not easy to recycle Pu foam. Due to its polymer networks with strong chemical bonds, heating does not help recycle it. However, there are other ways to recycle it. For example, it can be downcycled mechanically and reused in polymer form. Or breaking Pu foam down to its chemical components is another way to recycle it chemically.
How Strong is Pu Foam?
It is rigid, durable, and strong. In addition, it has high compressive strength.
What is Pu Foam Used For?
Besides its uses in various areas of the industry, Pu foam is perfect for insulation. To prevent undesired airflow in any part of a building, you can safely use it. In addition, it is very good at gap-filling. Since it expands and seals off the crack and wall cavities, it is widely used as an insulator.
Pu Foam for Attic
Using Pu foam to insulate the attic is a good choice because, typically, there are gaps around the attic hatch doors or pipes that penetrate the living places. This can result in undesired airflow and an increase in energy expense. Its ability to expand and seal off the cracks perfectly works for insulating the attic.
Pu Foam for Walls
Insulating the house walls is one of the main steps to take to have effective insulation, prevent energy loss, and decrease expenses. To start your wall insulation project, firstly locate openings where pipes, wiring and canals penetrate walls and floors. These can occur around recessed lights, flues, vent holes, windows, doors, and rim joists. You can spray off Akfix Maximum gab filler inside the small holes you have drilled. For wider gaps, you can use Akfix 805 Big Gap Filler with its high expansion rate. The foam will expand there and provide good insulation for your house. After filling gaps you can use polyurethane based Akfix Thermcoat Insulation Spray Foam for heat and sound insulation.
Pu Foam for Crawl Space
Since Pu foam is waterproof to a certain degree, it is the best choice to insulate the crawl space, the dampest part of a house. In addition, it prevents mold growth by being a barrier between the cold surfaces and the air inside.
Pu Foam for Metal Buildings
Using it in a metal building can be risky since low-quality foam may cause rust. Thus, using high-quality foam and seeking professional help can be a good choice.
Pu Foam for Basement Walls
Pu foam, especially the closed-cell foam, is a vapor barrier; it avoids vapor and moisture well. Hence, insulating the basement walls with it will make a lot of difference in keeping a house warmer.
Pu Foam for Soundproofing
Pu foam is also good for decreasing the noise; however, it does not prevent it entirely. Other insulation types may be better for you if you need to avoid the noise completely.
Pu Foam for Windows
If the windows’ have gaps and cracks letting air in, filling them with foam insulation can solve the problem. However, be careful with the expanding rate of the foam to prevent any inconvenience with the windows’ functioning. Akfix MAXIMUM is a low expansion and maximum yield formulation aerosol polyurethane foam especially developed for fixing door&window frames. It yields minimum %100 more foam than straw foams, cures faster and forms easy to cut flexible foam.
Pu Foam for Garage
It used to insulate a garage will be a barrier for unwanted heat transfer between the exterior walls and the outdoors. Besides saving energy and providing a warmer garage, it prevents mold and insect growth.
Pu Foam for Basement
Energy loss in a basement can affect the energy efficiency of the house to a high degree. When insulating basements for the first time, interior insulation will be simpler and more effective.
Is Pu Foam Insulation Safe?
If applied correctly and cured completely, PU foam insulation is considered safe. However, you must never forget that Pu foam is a chemical product. Its insulation must be installed by trained professionals with the right tools and equipment. Using protective gear to protect eyes, throat, and nose is a must. No skin contact must be allowed during the process. Also, householders must leave the house for 24 hours after applying the insulation.
The risk is not over after the installation of the insulation. If heated or ground, the foam can generate toxic emissions. Thus, if the foam breaks due to poor installation, it may have lingering effects on your health.
Is Pu Foam Flammable?
Unfortunately, yes! It is not fireproof. However, by adding retardant chemicals during the production process, the flammability of foam can be reduced to a certain extent.
What is the R-Value of Polyurethane Foam?
The R-value is the measurement showing how effective the insulation is at resisting the unwanted heat flow. Closed-cell spray foam has higher R-values ranging between 5 and 8. On the other hand, open-cell spray foam has an R-value of around 3.5 per inch
Is Spray Foam Insulation Flammable?
When exposed to temperatures above 116°C, the foam can catch fire.
Is Pu Foam Waterproof?
Closed-cell spray foam is denser and waterproof. On the other hand, open-cell spray foam is not resistant to water.
Can Spray Foam Insulation Get Wet?
Yes, it can get wet, but the good news is that it will dry out eventually. This is because it does not absorb water and does not trap moisture.
Can You Paint Pu Foam?
It can be painted if latex or water-based acrylic paint is used. However, solvent-based and oil paints harm the foam due to the chemicals they include.
Worth it For Older Roof?
It is durable and can keep high performance for about 50 years. So, it is worth an older roof making it energy-efficient for a very long time.