Blowing agent blends Atofina Chemicals Inc., the United States, has been assigned a patent on foam blowing agent blends of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (Trans 12) and one or more pentanes, and on polyol premixes and foam compositions containing such blends. The foam-blowing agent compositions comprise Trans 12 and one or more pentanes selected from the group consisting of n-C5, i-C5 and c-C5 (preferably c-C5). Such blends dramatically improve fire resistance and the initial K factor (thermal conductivity) of pentane-blown foams. These blends are particularly useful for making closed cell polymer (insulation) foams, such as polystyrene, phenolic and polyurethane foams. In the blends, Trans 12 generally makes up more than 1 mole per cent of the blends, preferably about 5 to 25 mole per cent. In the premixes, the blowing agent blend is typically present in a concentration range of about 2-60 weight per cent (preferably 5-40 weight per cent), based on the weight of the polyol. In polyurethane foam compositions, the effective concentrations of the blends are typically about 0.1-25 weight per cent (preferably 0.5-15 weight per cent), based on the weight of the total polyurethane foam formulation. The other components of the premix and foam formulations may be those which are conventionally used: for example, fire retardants, polyol and surfactants on the B-side, and polyisocyanate on the A-side. Water is frequently used as a co-blowing agent. The A and B sides are typically mixed together, followed by injection of the catalyst, after which the mixture is poured into a mould or box. Source: www.freepatentsonline.com A 3-G blowing agent Isochem (HK) Ltd., a member of the Kautschuk Gesellschaft group based in Germany, has introduced ISOCEL 245fa into the market. ISOCEL 245fa is a 3rd generation blowing agent. ISOCEL 245fa is non-inflammable and has zero ozone-depleting potential (ODP). ISOCEL 245fa is a safe replacement for HCFC-141b and other fluorocarbon and non-fluorocarbon blowing agents. Contact: Isochem (HK) Ltd., Suite 901B, Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2519 4341; Fax: +852 2511 6711 E-mail: donna@kautschuk.com Source: www.kautschuk.com High-performance insulating sheathing Aerodynamic Developments Ltd., Australia, offers Thermax Sheathing, a high-performance insulating sheathing for roof, wall and floor applications in residential and commercial constructions. The sheathing is a closed cell PIR foam core with glass-fibre reinforcement and solid aluminium facers on both sides. The glass-fibre reinforcement, along with chemical modifications, contributes to higher dimensional stability and improved fire performance with a USA Class A fire rating. Hydrocarbon blowing agents are employed in the manufacturing process of the sheathing, resulting in a product without any ozone depletion potential. Thermax Sheathing also has a lower K-value than most other insulation materials, making it a practical and affordable insulation material. Contact: Aerodynamic Developments Pty. Ltd., Unit 8, #171-175 Newton Road, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164, Australia. Tel: +61 (2) 8788 9555; Fax: +61 (2) 9604 7468 E-mail: sales@aeromfg.com.au Source: www.infolink.com.au Pentane-blown foam unit Gusmer Corporation, a subsidiary unit of Gusmer Machinery Group, the United States, has both standard equipment and custom equipment that will process alternative blowing agents to 141b. At Construction Polymers International, Gusmer successfully demonstrated its new machine designed specifically for processing pentane-blown spray foam systems. Gusmer developed the new machine specifically for ExxonMobil to demonstrate the new foam blowing agent technology, and to show that pentane is a viable alternative to 141b-blown foam systems. The technical data of the units are as follows: Maximum output : 7 kg/min Max. rated pressure : 108 bar Air requirement : 12 litres/sec @ 7 bar Electrical load : 8.7 kW Weight : 63 kg Dimensions : 61 cm × 46 cm × 61 cm Contact: Construction Polymers International Inc., 284 Seventh Street NW, Barberton, Ohio, OH 44203, United States of America. Tel: +1 (330) 861-5200 E-mail: info@cpifoam.com Source: www.cpifoam.com Foam formulation alternatives to HCFC-22 Transcend® PUR blends, from Arkema Inc. (previously Atofina Chemicals), the United States, are a suitable replacement for HCFC-22 in pour-in-place blowing agent formulations for polyurethane rigid foams. A combination of Transcend additive and HFC-134a can produce foams with at least the equivalent or better overall performance compared with HCFC-22 and HFC-134a in generic pour-in-place rigid PU foam formulations. In addition to easier handling, as demonstrated by the lower vapour pressures and faster blowing agent addition time to the polyol pre-blend, the formulations containing 10-20 weight per cent Transcend additive (weight per cent of the total blowing agent) have improved flow, gives adequate dimensional stability, excellent adhesion and acceptable thermal conductivities. Transcend additive is based on trans-1, 2-dichloroethylene, and can be added to hydrocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon foam formulations to create unique foam products. It is a liquid at room temperature (bp 48ºC), with zero ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential. Contact: Arkema Inc., 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 3222, United States of America. Tel: +1 (800) 225 7788; Fax: +1 (215) 419 7591. Source: www.news.thomasnet.com