Polyurethane is a versatile material created through a reaction between polyols and isocyanates. It can be rigid or flexible, foamed or solid. Additives are used to modify properties like blowing agents to create a foamed structure for improved insulation. Polyurethane foam excels as an insulation material due to its high insulation performance from trapped gas cells and low thermal conductivity. It is durable, resistant to chemicals and moisture, and can be used for insulating pipes, walls, refrigerators, and more. Advanced technologies may further reduce thermal conductivity through smaller cell sizes approaching the nano scale.

1. 30.05.2013/Erik Larsen/R&D Manager
Polyurethane Insulates Better:
Introduction to Polyurethane
and Technical Insulation.

2. “Polyol” + “isocyanate” “urethane” + heat
(liquid) (liquid) (solid)
What are Polyurethanes (PUR)?

3. Polyol Isocyanate
Urethane
Polyurethane
network / matrix
Basic PUR-reactions.

4. Additive Example Purpose
Polyols Polyethers, polyesters, polyamines - modify/determine physical/chemical
properties.
Catalysts Tertiary amines
Organic metals
- increase speed of reactions.
- dominate special reactions.
Blowing agents CBA: Water (CO2), Formic acid (CO)
FBA: CFC, HCFC, HFC, HC, FC
- foamed structure.
- improve the insulation properties.
Cell stabilizers Special siloxanes/ silicone oils - emulgate.
- nucleate.
- stabilize.
Crosslinkers &
chainextenders
Glycerol, polyols, polyamines - increase hardness.
- increase flexibility.
Colours Pigments, carbon black - dye the polyurethane.
Fillers Fibre, inorganic materials - modify properties (stiffness, fire perfor-
mance, price, reduce shrinkage).
Flame
retardants
Phosphoric- and/or halogen based
additives.
- Improving fire performance.
Common additives in PUR-systems*.
*mainly in the polyol-blend

5. “The four corners of Polyurethanes”.
Flexible/rigid foamed/solid thermosets.

6. “Polyol” + “isocyanate” “urethane”
What are Polyurethanes (PUR)?

7. “Polyol” + “isocyanate” “urethane”
What are Polyurethanes (PUR)?

8. “Polyol” + “isocyanate” “urethane”
What are Polyurethanes (PUR)?

9. λλλλfoam = λλλλgas + λλλλmatrix + λλλλradiation
Foam Insulation Performance
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Cell Gas
PUR Matrix
Radiation
Factors Contributing to Foam Thermal Conductivity (λλλλ = ability to conduct heat)

10. Blowing Agent Technologies for Polyurethane
Chemical Class ODP
[R11=1]
GWP
[100yrs, CO2=1]
λλλλgas
[mW/m*K]
CFCs (1. generation) R-11 1 4750 7,8
H-CFCs (2. generation) R-141b 0,1 725 9,8
HFCs (3. generation) 245fa 0 1030 12,1
365mfc 0 900 10,6
Hydrocarbons Cyclopentane 0 11 12,6
Isopentane 0 11 14,8
HFOs (4. generation) Solstice LBA 0 <5 na
FEA 1100 0 10 10,7
Others Water (CO2) 0 1 16
Air 0 0 27

11. Fresh PUR-foam15
20
25
30
CFC
11
HCFC
141b
HFC
245
HFC
365
HFO CP Water
(CO2)
17
19 20 21
19
21
23
19
21 22 23
21
23
27
Blowing agent -> “green” direction
Lambda values, PUR foam with steel facings [mW/mK].
Fresh PUR-foam
Aged PUR-foam
Insulation properties of PUR foam with
different blowing agents.

12. Thickness of insulation in order
to achieve same U-factor*:
Why PUR Materials for the Construction Industry?
There is only
one clever
way to build
a passive
house
150 m2 house with 400 [mm] MW gives approx. 7 m2
extra living room using 270 [mm] PUR!
[W/m²K]
*U-factor: ability of a building element to conduct heat
Thickness
Lambda, foam

13. Why PUR as technical insulation?
Insulates better.
Good mechanical properties.
Sustainable.
Durable.
Resistant to chemicals.
Resistant to fungis, bacterias and moulds.
Temperature stable.
”No” water uptake.
Easy to form and work in.
”FunctionalInsulation”

14. Technical insulation: industrial pipes.

15. Technical insulation: district heating pipes.

16. Technical insulation:
commercial refrigerators/freezers.

17. Technical insulation: spray.

18. Technical insulation: sandwich panels.

19. Technical insulation: sandwich panels.

20. PUR Boards for Thermal Insulation
Renovation

21. PUR Elements for Thermal Insulation
New Roof and Wall Insulation
Concrete sandwich walls, 300 [mm] PIR, U-value 0,08 [W/m2K]

22. PUR Rigid Foam Cores/Integral skin
Window frames

23. Sustainable PUR foams – long term project.
0
5
10
15
20
25
Conventional
Foam
Microcellular
Systems + low
k-factor BA
Advanced Ins.
Technology
ThermalConductivity
[mW/m*K]
Project Portfolio Energy Saving PUR Solutions

24. The Knudsen-Effect
100101 1000 / 1 10 100 1000
[µm][nm]
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 0 0 1 10 100 1000
k-factor[mW/K/m]
cell size [mm]
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
cell size [µm]
N2
CO2
Advanced Insulation Technologies
”Nano foams”

25. Project Status

26. Thank you!

27. Forward-Looking Statements
This presentation may contain forward-looking statements based on current
assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management.
Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to
material differences between the actual future results, financial situation,
development or performance of the company and the estimates given here.
These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are
available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com.
The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking
statements or to conform them to future events or developments.