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The Comparison Performance Between of PIR and PUR Foam
EditorModified polyurethane PIR pre-insulated panel of Shanghai Wanguo Technology Development Co.,Ltd have taken
advanced formulation design and continuous foamed craft, so the performance get proved than what said in this article.
The oxygen index can reach at 40, and the thermal conductivity is as low as 0.018 W/mK25, which represents the
top level of PIR polymer material in new generation.
AbstractThe good performance of ployisocyanurate foam which main chain structure was modified, is outstanding in comparison
with polyurethane foam, showing splendid prospects for many fields.
Key WordsModified polyurethane, Ployisocyanurate foam, Heat-resistant quality, Physical performance, Mechanical property

1 Preface
Polyurethane foam possesses good physical, mechanical and chemical properties. It is superior insulated material
with low thermal conductivity and has been used in transportation, refrigeration, furniture and insulation area. In
practical applications, if the temperature excess 150, the intensity of polyurethane foam lessened, so the
dimension changes accordingly. In the early 1970s, ployisocyanurate foam came into being. Pure
ployisocyanurate foam is mostly trimetric reaction of PIR.

From the chemical equation, we can find that overlapped chain of PIR has high density, from which formed high
heat resistance, but fragile and no practical value. It can be improved by an epoxy resin, polyimide, PIR. Among
them , improved PIR is easier to control, see chart 1 about generated main chemical chain.

Chart1 Construction of modified PIR

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Inputting polyurethane chain into a PIR ring, which reduced consistency of PIR ring and made the two structures
exist at the same time. Thus it is not only retained perfect heat and fire resistance, but also possesses insulating
performance and mechanical strength of polyurethane foam. By the formula design, adjust proportion between
polyurethane chain and PIR ring, you can get modified polyurethane---PIR foam.
2 Heat Resistance
2.1 Combustibility
Take samples (39mm20mm) to test, ablating by oxy-acetylene flame in the condition of different heat flux.
Record the weight and thickness before & after ablating, the back temperature & time when ablating. Observe the
state of the sample after ablating. For results see table 1.
Table1 Combustibility Comparison between Two Foam
Classification

Modified polyurethanePIR foam plastic

Polyurethane foam plastic

Burning condition

Oxyacetylene Flame

Oxyacetylene Flame

Heat Flux /Wcm-2

173.5

102.9

Number

Burning Time/s

10

10

10

20

10

10

10

20

Quantity variation/g

0.3044

0.2030

0.1882

0.2740

0.2820

0.3698

0.3479

0.3625

Mass Loss Rate /gs-1

0.03044

0.02030

0.1882

0.01370

0.02820

0.03698

0.03479

0.01813

Height variation /mm

4.5

4.2

3.2

7.3

10.4

11.1

10.9

14.5

Erosion Rate /mms-1

0.45

0.42

0.32

0.365

1.04

1.11

1.09

0.725

Back Warming /

10

10

30

Character after burning

Dense carbon layer; Thin coal layer;

Smooth burning surface

Loose carbon layer, meatiness, easy to fall.

Thick carbon layer.
Concave when ablating.

From table 1, we can see that mass loss rate & erosion rate of modified polyurethane PIR foam is low in large heat
current, but polyurethane foam possesses contrary properties. From the molecular structure, we can see that there
are many PIR molecular rings in the main chain of modified polyurethane PIR, while there are not in the
polyurethane foam, only containing polyurethane chain. When ablating, there could form dense carburization zone,
which keep foam from burning. During the burning procedure, it has little irritation and low smoke rate.
Polyurethane foam has a dripping problem with a high smoke rate when burning and release lots of irritating gas.
After burning, carburization zone of foam become loose.
2.2 Oxygen IndexGB 2406-80
Test by Beijing Fire Control Research Test Center: The oxygen index of modified polyurethane PIR foam is 29%
while the index of polyurethane foam is 25.5%.
The oxygen index is in the mixes gas of oxygen and nitrogen, the lowest necessary oxygen level of keeping stable
burning under the regulated situation. We use volume percentage of mixed gas to express oxygen index in value.
The higher of the oxygen index in value, the more oxygen needed when burning,, and it is more difficult burning
for sample.
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2.3 Analysis of heat weightlessness
Test TG&DTG curves of modified polyurethane PIR foam by analysis of heat weightlessness
Test condition:
Warming speed

10/min;

Environment

flowing air, 30ml/min

Temperature

20700

Sample

small foam

The result see in the chart 2

Chart 2 TG&DTG curves of modified polyurethane PIR foam

See TG&DTG curves of modified polyurethane PIR foam in document 3. Although both of TG&DTG curves
show weightlessness three times, the weightlessness range of modified polyurethane PIR foam is larger than that
of polyurethane foam and the weightlessness percentage is smaller. This proved perfect performance of the former
one. The specification is as following:
Table 2. Comparison between weightlessness temperature range and weightlessness percentage of two kind of
foam in three times
Heat weightlessness for first time
Type

Temperature weightles
range /

Modified
polyurethane
PIR Foam
Polyurethane

230
270
130
220

sness

Bending
Temperature
/

245

13

150

Heat weightlessness for second time

Temperature weightles
range /
320
360
220
380

sness

Bending
Temperature
/

24

340

29

280

Heat weightlessness for third time

Temperature weightles
range /

sness

540
580
380
680

Bending
Temperature
/

54

566

54

526

3 Physical Property
3.1 Thermal Conductivity
Modified polyurethane PIR foam possesses good
insulation property. The change of thermal conductivity
from 77K to 423K, we can see chart 3. From chart 3,
we can find that polyurethane foam possesses good
insulation property when the temperature is under
298K, but when the temperature reached 423K,
polyurethane foam became deformed. To contrast,
modified polyurethane PIR foam didnt deform, and
the thermal conductivity is 0.0370W/Mk.

Curves 1:Modified polyurethane PIR foam

Curves 2 Polyurethane foam
Chart 3: Thermal conductivity comparison
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3.2 Specific heat capacity
The

specific

heat

capacity

value

of

modified

polyurethane PIR foam is small. In chart 4, you can

find the specific heat capacity change .

Curve 1: Modified polyurethane PIR foam

Curve 2: Polyurethane foam
Chart 4: Specific heat capacity comparison

4 Dynamics Property
Modified polyurethane PIR foam posses some dynamics property. It can not only used in liquid nitrogen 265,
but also in 190. The temperature range is wider than modified polyurethane.
Table 3. Dynamics Property of Modified PU-PIR Foam
Dynamics
Property

Foaming

From table 3, we may find

(1) Modified

polyurethanePIR foam.

Temperature

Foaming

Direction

-196

15.6

19.90

1.28

Tensile

25

10.80

12.30

1.14

The value paralleled foamed direction is

modulus /MPa

100

6.22

7.50

1.21

larger than that of in vertical direction.

150

5.04

4.90

0.97

You can find the comparison value

-196

14.30

24.60

1.72

between two directions in table 3.

Compressive

25

7.33

16.50

2.25

modulus /MPa

100

7.94

13.20

1.66

150

4.48

8.43

1.88

-196

0.304

0.541

1.78

Tensile-strength

25

0.343

0.391

1.14

/MPa

100

0.169

0.243

1.44

150

0.140

0.154

1.10

-196

0.350

0.470

1.34

Compressive

25

0.257

0.305

1.19

strength /MPa

100

0.190

0.221

1.16

153

0.150

0.201

1.34

Direction

// /

//

Possesses obvious directivity. Whether

tensile modulus, compressive modulus,
tensile-strength or compressive strength.

(2) As for the fall of temperature, dynamics

property increase..

5 Conclusion
Because of special main chain structure of Modified polyurethanePIR foam, it possesses perfect heat resistance
and dynamics property. It has great potential in national defense, energy and petroleum industry.

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