what is urethane foam

by Jeramie Armstrong Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Is urethane foam harmful?

Prolonged exposure to petroleum-based chemicals in products like urethane foam may affect the nervous and immune system and cause illnesses including cancer, neurological disorders, autoimmune weakness, asthma and allergies, infertility, miscarriage and child behavior disorders.

What's the difference between polyurethane foam and urethane foam?

Urethane is flexible and malleable, making it ideal for objects that have different shapes and forms, and it is used in liquid form. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is stiff and rigid and is ideal for firmer items, with many advantages over natural rubber.

Is urethane foam memory foam?

Memory foam (also known as viscoelastic polyurethane foam or tempurpedic foam) is a type of polyurethane foam that contains added compounds which change the way it feels. This gives it the "slow moving" properties that memory foam is known for.

Is urethane foam durable?

Polyurethane insulation is considered a very durable material, as it can maintain its performance over time thanks to its cellular structure.

What's better polyurethane or urethane?

In short, polyurethanes are far more durable and can be molded into a wider degree of applications than urethane, leading to harder, stronger and longer-lasting products depending on how many urethanes are added and what specific products a manufacturer desires.

Should I use urethane or polyurethane?

Many woodworkers turn to oil-based polyurethane because it is the more durable out of the two options. Spar urethane vs. polyurethane can be a difficult debate, but polyurethane typically wins when it comes to indoor applications. It creates a finish that looks shiny and polished while remaining durable enough to last.Jan 11, 2020

Is urethane foam safe to sleep on?

Polyurethane foam is used in most mattresses on the market. But polyurethane is made from petroleum chemicals that can emit VOCs—harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory irritation or other health problems.

Is Urethane foam Safe for Babies?

A brand new analysis of 20 new and old crib mattresses sold in the US, containing polyurethane foam and polyester foam padding, release significant amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to baby's health.

Is urethane toxic to humans?

Urethane can be toxic if it is absorbed by the skin. Exposure can result in digestive problems like nausea and diarrhea, as well as gastroenteric hemorrhages. It can also affect the liver and kidney, and it can put people into comas. Urethane toxicity and neurological disorders can happen with chronic exposure.Sep 6, 2020

Is urethane foam closed-cell?

Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam is known to be the most common of the two. It's considered a “closed” cell due to its high R-value. The R-value is the material's capacity to insulate and resist heat flow.Jan 4, 2022

Is urethane foam waterproof?

The short answer is yes, to a certain degree. There are several factors that make some polyurethanes more absorbent than others. Depending on the physical properties and material, thermoset polyurethanes can practically have zero water absorption compared to other known materials.

How many types of urethane are there?

There are two types of polyurethane, polyester, and polyether.Mar 1, 2020

What is urethane foam insulation?

Urethane foam insulation is a type of insulation that is applied with a spray gun onto a surface. This is quite a different approach to insulation than that of batt foam, or the traditional pink rolls that we have all seen in our attics for decades.

Is polyurethane foam insulation good for your home?

A home that has sprayed on insulation is about twice as energy efficient in heat ing and cool ing than those with traditional batt insulation.

How is foam applied?

How It Is Applied. The foam is applied by a skilled professional who is somewhat of an artist. They use a spray gun, which the materials are routed through, and sprayed onto the walls, floors, ceiling or roof of the structure.

When was foam insulation first used?

Foam insulation was initially used in the 1940s as insulation for military and aircraft applications. In the 1970s, spray foam insulation came onto the construction scene, and has rapidly become widely recognized for it's benefits.

What chemicals are used in spray foam insulation?

There are 5 different chemicals associated with spray foam insulation: polyol, which is a sucrose and petroleum combination; surfactant, which controls the bubbles; a catalyst to control reaction rate; the blowing agent, which converts the liquid into a gas; and the isocyanate, which creates a molecular reaction.

How long does it take for foam to cure?

As the foam is applied, within moments of the chemical reaction of the mixing of materials, the foam expands to fill all the cracks and crevices around the surrounding materials, and is usually completely cured within 24 hours.

Where is urethane foam?

Urethane foam is everywhere — it's under your carpet, in your furniture and your bed, in your walls, on the soles of your shoes and in your athletic helmet.

Why is urethane foam used in insulation?

Urethane foam is used for insulation because of its thermal properties and ease of use —it comes in the form of a spray which hardens. The danger of using urethane products is when the foam burns. It gives off toxic gasses and smoke, which makes it difficult to evacuate and put out a fire.

Does urethane foam affect the brain?

Although chemicals in urethane foam are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be tested for major health effects, the tests do not assess subtle neurological damage to the brain or effects on the a developing fetus, according to Chem-Tox.com.

Is polyurethane foam safe for children?

Health Hazards to Children. Polyurethane foam, which is essentially petroleum, is the predominant filling for baby mattresses and often contains dangerous chemical ingredients made of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and other toxins.

What is the most common fire retardant in polyurethane foam?

The most common fire retardant is pentaBDE, a toxin associated with neuro-behavioral alterations, hyperactivity and behavioral problems, according to HealthyChild.com. Furthermore, PentaBDE does not bind to the foam, and leaches into the surroundings, according to a study published in 2001 "Toxicological Sciences" showing that neonatal exposure to pentaBDE can affect brain development.

Does polyurethane cause asthma?

The use of polyurethanes in furniture, cushions, pillows and bedding has been found to increase asthma in children and increased usage also corresponds to the development of asthma in ethnic minorities that adopt a western life-style, warns Dr. Harry Morrow-Brown on his website, AllergiesExplained.com. Advertisement.

Does pentabde bind to foam?

Furthermore, PentaBDE does not bind to the foam, and leaches into the surroundings, according to a study published in 2001 "Toxicological Sciences" showing that neonatal exposure to pentaBDE can affect brain development.

What is flexible polyurethane foam?

Flexible polyurethane foam (FPF) is a polymer produced from the reaction of polyols and isocyanates, a chemical process pioneered in 1937. FPF is characterized by a cellular structure that allows for some degree of compression and resilience that provides a cushioning effect.

What is bonded foam?

Bonded foam is the most popular type of carpet cushion, with a market share of over 80 percent.

Can foam be poured into aluminum molds?

Raw materials for foam can also be poured into aluminum molds, where the cured foam assumes the size and shape of the mold. Molding allows the production of foam items in shapes that are difficult to achieve fabricating foam from a slabstock bun.

What materials are used in mattress toppers?

Foam can be compressed as it is cut to produce effects such as “convoluted” foam, which is sometimes used in mattress toppers. Polyurethane may also be combined with other materials, such as a nonwoven substrates, netting, fabric and fiber.

What is the bonding technique used to bond foam to a substrate?

Bonding techniques include flame bonding, hot film bonding, hot melt adhesion, and powder laminating, where a powder adhesive is used to bond foam to a substrate through a heat process. Headliners (the padded ceiling of an auto interior) typically consist of a nonwoven fabric laminated to a thin foam backing using flame bonding.

What is foam reformulation?

One of the most commerically important reformulations of foam is the processing of foam scrap into bonded carpet cushion. Scrap foam of various types is shredded and placed into a processing unit with a chemical adhesive. The mixture is pressurized and injected with steam to form a large foam cylinder or block.

What is the most popular type of carpet cushion?

Bonded foam is the most popular type of carpet cushion, with a market share of over 80 percent. The properties of foam can be measured and specified very precisely to allocate the right grade of foam to the right application.

What is polyurethane foam?

Polyurethane foam is a blanket term that includes any foam that is synthesized using polyol and diisocyanate. These include but are not limited to: memory foam, high resilience foam, and high density foam.

Is memory foam a polyurethane?

Since polyurethane foam can contain additives, a manufacturer that comes up with a new formula can name the new foam whatever they like. Many memory foam mattresses are a combination of polyurethane foams, layered from dense on the bottom to less dense on the surface layers.

What are the pros and cons of polyurethane foam?

Pros: Many different types of foams exist under the polyurethane umbrella -- some are excellent for bedding and offer different firmness varieties! Cons: Off-gassing and durability problems with lower quality foams.

Is memory foam a synthetic or organic compound?

Polyurethane is a synthetic blend of organic compounds ...

What is memory foam mattress?

Is memory foam a synthetic material?

Many memory foam mattresses are a combination of polyurethane foams, layered from dense on the bottom to less dense on the surface layers. Polyurethane is a synthetic blend of organic compounds and has a tendency to off-gas. If you are susceptible to lung issues, please do additional research on the quality of foams before purchasing.

What is the ratio of polyol to diisocyanate?

The ratio of polyol to diisocyanate is 2:1 to form polyurethane, though there may be other compounds that are added to create just the right amount of density and elasticity for each piece of foam. The foam is synthesized, poured into molds, and cooled before cutting into mattress layers.

What is Urethane?

Urethane is a colorless and odorless crystalline compound derived from ethyl ester. It was created in the 1950s–1960s and has a chemical formula of C3H7NO2, which is a combination of both amides and esters and carbonic acid.

What is Polyurethane?

Polyutherane is a polymer (PU) that is made up of organic units of isocyanates and polyols linked via urethane units. As its name suggests, multiple urethane compounds are joined together by a chemical reaction known as polymerization to create a solid substance.

Differences Between Polyurethane and Urethane

What is the difference between urethane and polyurethane? These compounds are so similar that even experts in the manufacturing industry consider them the same thing.

Polyurethane Uses

Polyurethane is an incredibly versatile compound that can be used in countless applications. It’s found in everyday household materials and heavy machinery alike.

Learn More About Using Urethane and Polyurethane in Your Manufacturing

Both urethane and polyurethane can be used to make top-of-the-line industrial and commercial coatings. Looking to add these compounds into your production? Contact us to talk to one of our technical sales representatives about our specialty products and material solutions today.