When choosing building materials, we proceed from different indicators, but the main requirements remain high quality, durability and affordability. All these requirements are met by modern insulation and waterproofing polyurethane foam, the characteristics of which allow it to be used in a variety of fields. In addition, varieties of polyurethane foam are widely used in the creation of mattresses and furniture, which indicates the high quality and safety of materials.
What are the benefits
To begin with, we note that this material is in great demand due to the fact that they can finish any premises, while you will be able to significantly save on further expenses. The distinctive features of this insulation include:
- Environmental friendly and non-toxic: confirmed by repeated testing of the material.
- Sprayed polyurethane foam is easy to use and inexpensive.
- Increase in thermal insulation properties, which reduces the cost of additional space heating by almost 40%.
- Durability of operation: PPU can last about 30-40years without losing its properties.
- Energy efficiency, which is ensured by the absence of joints, seams, thermal bridges.
- Since the insulation is applied by spraying, there is no need to use fasteners. And this means that cold bridges will not form, and the building will maintain its integrity for a long time.
- PPU is fire resistant, which is also very important.
- Polyurethane foam is heat and frost resistant and can be used in the temperature range from -70 to +130 degrees.
- Material is resistant to chemicals, gasoline, oils, bitumen, paints.
Polyurethane foam: technical features
The polyurethane foam material has the following characteristics. Firstly, polyurethane foam has good adhesion, that is, adhesion to various surfaces. Secondly, the polyurethane foam coating is durable - you can safely walk on it. Thirdly, due to the low weight, the load on building structures does not increase. Fourthly, PPU is universal, since it combines the functions of a vapor barrier and waterproofing materials. So, when using it, a sealed layer is formed that is resistant to water and air.
Polyurethane foam material allows you to reduce the time for insulation work, while the coating layer is complete without joints and gaps. And this means that subsequently the surface will not collapse under various influences.
Where does it apply?
PPU is widely used for thermal insulation in housing construction, sound and thermal insulation of industrial, civil structures, for cold insulation of holds, refrigeration plants, to increase the safety and buoyancy of timber supplied by rafting on water. Thus, polyurethane foam has a variety of characteristics, allowing the use of the material in various fields.
It must be said that all sprayed materials have a number of advantages:
- protect metal from corrosion;
- are a good waterproofing, insulation;
- have good grip on any surface;
- apply quickly.
FPU for refrigeration
Polyurethane foam, whose technical characteristics are so diverse, is used for refrigeration equipment. Its purpose is to isolate building envelopes, pipes that supply liquefied nitrogen and ammonia. When creating molded parts for automobiles, an elastic, thermoformable, semi-rigid is used, and it is needed for the manufacture of molded parts. The material is also used to create various decorative elements for furniture.
PPU in light industry
In this case, polyurethane foam for mattresses is very popular. The characteristics of the material in this case are as follows:
- practicality;
- functionality;
- durability;
- Providing orthopedic properties;
- variety of mattress models - with springs, inseveral layers or with a modified product geometry.
In light industry, based on PPU is used for the production of synthetic leather, laminated fabrics. The material is also needed in car building and aircraft building to create high-quality molded parts that are resistant to fire.
The most widely used polyurethane foam for mattresses. The characteristics of this material perfectly meet the requirements of the manufacturers of these bedding, since it is in no way inferior to natural materials in quality, and at a price it is much more profitable to choose it. The use of polyurethane foam in the production of mattresses is advisable because it is different:
- strength;
- durability;
- elasticity;
- security;
- hypoallergenic.
The feature of the material is its softness, so the mattresses are comfortable and provide a comfortable rest. In addition, it does not cause allergic reactions, respectively, you can put such a mattress in the nursery and in the room of an elderly person.
PPU for furniture
Furniture production is another area in which this material is widely used, and here it is the flexible polyurethane foam that is in demand. For the first time this material was created back in the 30s in Germany, and today varieties of this material are produced, which are used in the manufacture of mattresses and furniture. Due to the high quality of PU foam, it can be used to design various areas of upholstered furniture where density andrigidity, which protects the product from deformation. PPU is widely used in the creation of armrests and headrests, as well as seats, and the higher the quality of the raw material, the longer the material will last.
Features of elastic foam
Elastic polyurethane foam has different degrees of rigidity, so it should be chosen depending on the purpose. For example, polyurethane foam of high softness is in demand in furniture where there are no springs. Elasticity also plays a big role, since the combination of flooring, for example on seats, depends on this factor. It is also important that polyurethane foam meets safety requirements, since each piece of furniture is subjected to sanitary and hygienic studies. If it is required to create soft elements of complex shape, a special molded PPU is used, which is created in high-precision molds.
For furniture, polyurethane foam, whose characteristics are so diverse, is obtained by mixing various polymers with a synthetic base. Feature of this furniture filler in:
- transformation possibilities;
- of varying degrees of hardness;
- reliability;
- durability.
Insulation with polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam, whose technical characteristics open up wide possibilities for its application in various fields, is formed by mixing two liquid components - a polyol and an isocyanate. When insulating walls, the installation of the material is carried out in two ways - by spraying orfilling. The positive aspects of using PPU as a heat-insulating material include the following:
- Polyurethane foam material is ideal for walls, roofs, floors, and can be used both inside and out.
- PPU is used for finishing any surfaces.
- Excellent noise isolation performance.
- High resistance to various chemical compounds - acids and alkalis.
- Ability to operate in any temperature conditions.
- High mechanical strength.
Sprayed polyurethane foam adheres well to any surface, be it concrete, brick or wood. Filling all cracks and crevices, the material forms a reliable and monolithic coating. When spraying is used to finish a frame house, it provides reliable protection against corrosion, in addition, PPU is resistant to decay, mold and microorganisms.
Cons of insulation
Widely used in the insulation of houses polyurethane foam. Its technical characteristics are good, but there are still a number of nuances that should be considered when using it. The main drawback is the high cost of work, especially if you invite specialists with equipment. The second point is that if the PPU catches fire, then the fire can be extinguished, but the material itself will smolder for a long time and emit harmful substances. The third is the limited external finish if polyurethane foam insulation is used. Characteristics allow you to use it on any surface, but you need to consider howmaterial will be further finished.
What do the pros advise?
- Wall insulation using polyurethane foam can only be carried out outside.
- Indoors, maximum protection of the insulation from moisture and sunlight should be provided.
- If the frame walls are insulated, then the interior spaces must be completely sealed so that the finishing material does not let air into the room.
Polyurethane foam: characteristics, consumer reviews
This material is also widely used for roofing, and two of its varieties are popular here - elastic and hard. The first has an open porous structure, which is filled from the inside with air or carbon dioxide. This material is good because it allows you to achieve high sound insulation of rooms with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity. Rigid polyurethane foam is characterized by a closed cell structure, in which about 3% solids, while the rest of the volume is cells. Due to its high density, this material is widely used in construction.
Why PPU?
There are many materials for insulating the roofing system, but polyurethane foam is becoming increasingly popular. Comparative characteristics with the usual mineral wool speak in favor of choosing the first material, and the following applies to the distinctive features of PPU roof insulation:
- The material is light and does not deform whenlong-term use.
- Due to the porous structure, it serves as an excellent protection against moisture.
- When insulating with polyurethane foam, heat loss can be significantly reduced.
- During operation, the material does not emit harmful substances.
It is important that for insulation with polyurethane foam it is not necessary to completely disassemble the structure, since it is applied easily and simply on any surface. It is also not required to pre-prepare the surface for work, since the PPU itself successfully copes with any of its irregularities. The application is carried out with special equipment, so it is not necessary to cut the mineral wool slabs and then fit them together.
Insulation itself can be done in two ways - pouring or spraying. The first method is good because it makes it possible to work with any terrain and in any of its states. Accordingly, you can safely plan various arches, ledges, columns. This method is also good when working in difficult places, during restoration. Thermal insulation in this case will be of high quality, tightness, since all seams and joints will be processed. PPU spraying is carried out with special equipment, while the density of the applied layer varies.
Conclusions
Thus, polyurethane foam material has completely different characteristics. For furniture, for example, one variety is suitable, for insulation - a completely different one. And if in the first case there are simply no alternatives to this material, then in the case of housing insulation, you can choose froma wide variety of options. And all modern builders, and those who are engaged in the thermal insulation of their homes on their own, give preference to PPU. First, it's inexpensive. Secondly, it is applied simply and in several ways, which allows you to choose the best solution for each user. Thirdly, with proper application, it will not leave joints and seams, which will be hermetically treated a priori. So, your house will definitely be warm. Mattresses filled with polyurethane foam are of no less quality, which once again speaks in favor of his choice.
