Flokser Kimya's Differentiated Solutions for the Insulation Sector

Polyurethane foam, which has been used in the construction sector for many years, possesses excellent insulation properties. Due to the blowing agent contained within the cells in the foam's structure, it prevents energy from flowing from one environment to another. Rigid polyurethane foams have lower thermal conductivity coefficients than their competitors in the sector—XPS, EPS, and mineral wool—even in very thin applications. This results in lower consumption of limited and expensive petrochemical resources and minimizes the load imposed on the applied structure. Rigid polyurethane foams, which can be produced in a density range of 8 to 1000 kg/m³, adhere easily to the surface on which they are applied. As a result, there is no need to use any adhesive material between the insulation material and the surface where it will be applied. Particularly in spray products applied through spraying, thermal bridges that form during the installation of other materials are prevented, and higher-efficiency insulation is achieved. In addition to thermal insulation, polyurethane foams have water insulation properties due to their low water absorption capacity and sound insulation properties due to their open-cell structure.

Image 1. Open-cell foam / closed-cell foam

Rigid polyurethane foam, which has a broad application range, is used in many sectors including cold room doors and panels, building facade insulation, pipe insulation, shutters, tank-silo insulation, packaging foams, refrigerators, roof insulation, tent and greenhouse insulation, decoration products, and mineral wool adhesive. Since 2006, Flokser Kimya has been providing solutions in the polyurethane sector for rigid and flexible foam and shoe systems. Through its R&D Centre, the company continues to invest in research and development activities every year, differentiating itself in its operational areas through product quality, high production capacity, and an innovative approach. While the demand for fire-resistant products in the spray polyurethane sector is increasingly growing, PIR systems cannot be utilized. The reason for this is that the machinery used in the sector can operate with a 1:1 volumetric ratio of polyol and isocyanate. However, PIR systems must have a high isocyanate ratio. With its Creapol RS 3320-36 product, Flokser Kimya has developed a spray product that can work on 1:1 ratio machines without losing PIR properties, thus meeting the need for fire resistance in the insulation sector.

Image 2. Combustion behavior of PIR systems.

Given the adverse effects of blowing gases on the environment and human health, much of the research in the polyurethane sector has focused on the use of environmentally friendly technologies.

To address this need in the sector, Flokser Kimya's Research and Development Centre has developed a low-density spray polyurethane foam system that contains no physical blowing agent and helps reduce consumption costs for end users. The rigid spray system with code Creapol RS 2320-18 has a lower density and semi-open-cell structure compared to systems known and widely used in the sector, and does not contain any physical blowing agent.

Image 3. Cell structure of low-density spray polyurethane system foam

In our country, B2 and B3 class polyurethane foams, which are easily flammable, are used more in external facade insulation than B1 class fire-resistant products. However, with the legal requirement under the "Regulation on Protection of Buildings from Fire" in the construction sector that external facades of high-rise buildings must be made of non-combustible materials and other buildings must be made of at least difficult-to-ignite materials, the demand for B1 class insulation material is increasing day by day. The Creapol RC 3430-36 polyol formulation developed for PIR continuous systems at Flokser Kimya's R&D Centre is used in metal-faced sandwich panel production in continuous line panel systems. According to test results in accordance with TS EN 13501-1 standard, Creapol RC 3430-36 is in the B s2 d0 fire-resistance class; B s1 d0 can be achieved with special applications to be applied to the panel. These values meet the sector's needs with respect to fire resistance, physical, and mechanical properties.