Silicone stabilizer for liquid CO2 processes

Momentive Performance Materials Inc., the United States, has the launched NiaxTM silicone L-655, a silicone stabilizer for use in manufacturing flexible polyether foam. The new stabilizer can offer a 10-30 per cent reduction by weight of flame retardant (FR) use in slabstock foam applications compared with conventional stabilizers. Niax silicone L-655 may also be applied in conventional foam manufacturing processes, and those that use carbon dioxide (CO2) as an auxiliary blowing agent.
When used in FR grades of foam used in furniture, bedding and automotive products, the new stabilizer can help minimize the amount of FR required for passing small-scale tests. In addition to its typically outstanding FR improvement, use of Niax silicone L-655 may also help reduce material costs for manufacturers using Momentives Niax silicones.

The new product provides excellent froth formation and stability (as required in CO2 processes) to make soft and low-density foam grades. Compared with Niax silicone L-650, Niax silicone L-655 can also deliver wide processing latitude and improved cell structure in CO2 processes. It may also help substantially boost FR performance for flexible polyurethane foam at reduced use levels. Contact: Momentive Performance Materials Inc., 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany, NY 12211, United States of America. Tel: +1 (607) 786 8131; Fax: +1 (607) 786 8309.


Source: www.marketwatch.com
SPF roofing system

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a spray-applied insulating foam plastic. The two chemical components are combined as they pass through the spray gun and contact the substrate as a liquid. As the two components chemically react, they expand in volume by 20 times and form a strong, rigid material with a density of 40 to 48 kg/m3 and a compressive strength of 275 to 345 kN/m2.

Central Coating Company, the United States, offers SPF roofing system claimed to be a green, renewable and sustainable roofing insulation solution. SPF has an aged R-value of approximately 6.4 per 1-inch thickness (depending on the particular formulation and application, higher values can be achieved), enabling it to provide more thermal resistance with less material than any other type of commercial insulation material. Other benefits claimed include:

Stops air and moisture infiltration;
Makes a building more comfortable;
Saves on energy costs;
Adds strength to the building structure; and
Reduces capacity requirements, maintenance and wear of HVAC equipment.

SPF roofing is applicable for new constructions, re-roofing projects, for cold storage facilities and for rooftop photovoltaics installations. Contact: Central Coating Company, 670 S. Pine Street, Madera, CA 93637, United States of America. Tel: +1 (559) 673 0074; +1 (559) 673 8243.


Source: www.peswiki.com
New developments in
polyisocyanurate laminate foam

Increasing insulation in buildings is a universally accepted way to improve energy efficiency. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently increased the minimum required prescriptive R-value for roof and wall insulation levels in Standard 90.1 the national model energy code for commercial buildings. Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) laminate board is perhaps the most widely used insulation for commercial roofing, as it has consistently met the structural and fire requirements of the building codes at the lowest installed cost per unit R-value.

Mr. Sachchida N. Singh and colleagues at the Huntsman Advanced Technology Centre in the United States have reported on new development in the formulation and processing of polyisocyanurate laminate foam. One such trend was the use of bio-renewable materials, which has led to widespread experimentation with vegetable oil-based polyols in polyurethane formulations. New aromatic polyester polyols incorporating renewable resource content have been introduced by polyol suppliers. The lipophilic nature of vegetable oils used to make these aromatic polyester polyols increase the hydrocarbon solubility. This improved solubility opens a wider spectrum of hydrocarbons, such as pure iso-pentane, as a blowing agent and/or iso-butane as a low boiling co-blowing agent. The average functionality of renewable content polyester polyol is claimed to be higher, as the vegetable oils present the possibility of providing many reactive sites. Higher polyol functionality gives opportunities to reformulate to improve performance and/or reduce cost.

The new study demonstrates that polyiso boards with up to 17 weight per cent bio-renewable content along with up to 7 per cent recycled content (or up to 12 weight per cent bio-renewable content along with up to 10 per cent recycle content) can be made while meeting the fire and structural property requirements. It also appears that use of bio-renewable polyol in polyiso foam would lead to a slight reduction in thermal resistance of the board. It has been demonstrated that the use of bio-renewable polyols can lead to more robust processing, especially expanding the processing window to higher temperatures. Bio-renewable polyols will expand the versatility of polyurethane chemistry as well as the breadth of its application. Contact: Sachchida N. Singh, Huntsman Advanced Technology Centre, 8600 Gosling Road, The Woodlands, Texas, TX 77381, United States of America. Tel: +1 (281) 719 7400; Fax: +1 (281) 719 7500.



Source: www.huntsman.com