Properties of polyurethane foam and features of its application

Key features of the material

Polyurethane foam consists of two main components: diisocyanate and polyol. The latter is responsible for density, strength and other characteristics.

Diisocyanate is added to initiate a chemical reaction that causes the mass to foam. The resulting material has a porous structure, all its cells are filled with carbon dioxide.

Separately, diisocyanate and polyol are highly toxic substances. Opponents of the PPU point to this. But scientists claim that in the process of mixing these components, the poisons are destroyed, and the final composition is absolutely harmless to humans.

Important! Polyurethane foam has found wide application in construction due to its excellent thermal insulation properties. It is used as insulation for walls, roofs, building foundations, pipes, water tanks and other structures.

Polyurethane foam: general information

Polyurethane foam (PPU) is a substance of synthetic origin that belongs to the group of gas-filled plastics. This unique building material was invented back in 1937 in Germany, but it gained deserved popularity only in the 90s of the 20th century, when polyurethane foam began to be actively used in the construction industry.

It turned out that the combination of two liquid polymers (polyol and polyisocyanate) leads to the formation of a foamed mixture, which, when hardened, turns into an excellent thermal insulator, characterized by durability, environmental friendliness, ease of use and many other important characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are several types of polyurethane foam: hard, elastic, foam, and so on. They differ in characteristics and release form.

But they are united by a number of advantages over similar materials:

• Excellent adhesion to any type of surface. Polyurethane foam is allowed to be used on structures made of brick, concrete, metal, glass, wood and others. Surfaces do not need to be pre-prepared.
• Low thermal conductivity.
• Good soundproofing qualities.
• Ease. The material does not increase the weight of the structure or create additional load.
• Resistant to temperature changes. PPU is operated in the range from -150 to +150 degrees Celsius.
• Long service life up to 30 years.
• High installation speed. Polyurethane foam can be applied to surfaces of any configuration, indoors and outdoors.
• Resistance to fungal infection.

Polyurethane foam has a number of disadvantages. The main one is the fear of ultraviolet radiation. Under the influence of sunlight, the thermal insulation properties of the material are significantly reduced.

Note! The disadvantage of polyurethane foam is that after application it is not possible to obtain a smooth surface. You will have to install additional covering from any sheet material.

Choosing a children's mattress

A springless children's mattress based on orthopedic foam and coconut coir has two sides and is perfect for a growing body.

Parents often choose foam mattresses for their children because of their good orthopedic properties, affordable price, and hypoallergenic properties. When choosing such a mattress, there are several important criteria to consider.

Individual parameters of the baby. Height, weight, age. Experts recommend choosing mattresses with a low or medium level of hardness for children. They will allow the child’s body to form and grow correctly. Bed size. The sleeping surface must be the perfect size. If the mattress is smaller, this will lead to discomfort during sleep and rapid wear of the product. The mattress may be less than the internal volume of the bed by only 1-2 centimeters. Mattress weight. The higher the weight of the PU foam product, the higher its quality. High weight means high structural density. With high density, the sleeping surface can last for many years. Surface stability. When choosing a product, you need to evaluate it by touch. First you should sit on the surface, then stand up

Pay attention to the time it takes for the surface to restore its previous shape. Rapid restoration of the initial shape is a significant indicator of high quality. Wear resistance of the cover

The children's bed is subject to a lot of stress. Children love to jump on the mattress, play, and have fun. All this leads to increased wear of the cover. For this reason, it is necessary to initially give preference to dense, wear-resistant fabrics of good quality. Jacquard is an ideal option. The fabric has amazing performance properties.

Children's mattress Umka for school-age children made of polyurethane and coconut coir

Specifications

Polyurethane foam is widely used in construction due to its excellent characteristics.

Key parameters of the material are given in the table.

Characteristics may vary depending on the specific type of polyurethane foam and the characteristics of its production.

Polyurethane foam does not contain ozone-depleting components and is resistant to moisture.

Products made from such material must comply with GOST R 56590-2015.

Literature

• Saunders D., Frisch K. Chemistry of polyurethanes: Transl. from English M.: Khimiya, 1968;
• Lyubartovich S. A., Morozov Yu. L., Tretyakov O. B. Reaction molding of polyurethanes. M.: Khimiya, 1990. 288 p.;

Standards and norms

• Decree of the Moscow Government No. 91-PP - standards for use in thermal insulation of pipes and heating mains;
• Thermal insulation of enclosing structures of buildings and structures - STO 00044807-001-2006;
• Thermal insulation of pipelines with casting polyurethane foam VSN 462-85 (Approved by the USSR Ministry of Montazhspetsstroy);
• Sanitary rules for the production of synthetic and polymeric materials N 4783-88

What is made from polyurethane foam and where can it be used in the home?

In the workshops, sandwich panels are made from polyurethane foam from which you can build a house. An alternative technology is to spray insulation directly onto a large area of ​​the walls and roof of the house, then line the inside with environmentally friendly panels.

Polyurethane foam shells for pipes are reliable thermal insulation that is resistant to water. And pipelines and containers, for example a water storage tank, when installed in the attic, can be insulated by spraying while insulating the entire house. Learn more about water storage tanks in the house

We can find polyurethane foam in doors, these are the most expensive products, as well as in home appliances - in water heaters and refrigerators. Compact designs and long-term temperature retention are all due to this insulation. It is also used to make decor and stucco not only inside buildings but also outside. And also a variety of objects, for example, a saddle for a motorcycle, or used inside a mattress...

What durability, changes over time

It is believed that polyurethane foam will serve without problems for at least 30 years. Let's consider how negative factors influence.

• Exposure to freezing cycles in combination with water does not have a visible destructive effect on this material. No cracks or breaks were found inside the material at any depth.
• Ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on the surface layer. But at a depth of 1 centimeter over a period of 60 years, no changes were detected, even with very intense radiation.
• The thermal conductivity coefficient increases by no more than 30% over 100 years. In fact, the material retains its calculated thermal insulation values ​​throughout its service life.
• Vibration and mechanical loads (without separation or shear) did not lead to discontinuities and crumbling of the material within the specified service life.

We advise you to study - Rococo style in the interior - sophistication of decoration and delicacy of colors

As you can see, the material is resistant to external influences that can usually affect the insulation layer of insulation materials. The influence of ultraviolet radiation must be reduced by using reliable paint and varnish coatings, constructing façade fencing, etc.

Difference from foam rubber

Foam rubber is a soft sheet material. It is an elastic modification of polyurethane foam, air and moisture permeable. Gas occupies up to 90% of its volume. Foam rubber absorbs water well, which limits its use in construction. It is often used to insulate basements, pipelines, roofs, garages and so on. It is advisable to use it only for interior work.

The main difference between foam rubber and polyurethane foam is that the latter is a solid material and has a lower percentage of air bubbles. Thanks to this, they can insulate external structures.

Foam rubber is more often used in the production of sponges, paint rollers, for upholstery, and so on. Previously, it was widely used in the manufacture of mattresses. Such products had many disadvantages: they did not support the spine well and took the shape of the body.

Today it was replaced by PPU. Polyurethane foam mattresses can have varying degrees of hardness and are suitable for people with musculoskeletal diseases.

Acceptance of pipes based on thermal insulation quality

GOST 30732-2006 contains a huge number of parameters that need to be controlled, including, the manufacturer of polyurethane foam is required to attach an acceptance test report for each batch of products supplied to them, but the main attention should be paid to the following:

Thermal insulation end: The foam must be dense. If you can stick a knife into it more than 40 - 50 mm without effort, you should think about more accurate methods of controlling this batch or demand to provide an acceptance test report.

At the end, where the thermal insulation adjoins the steel pipe and the shell, there should be no gaps or cracks, otherwise water will get there and the insulation will be damaged.

The end must be covered with waterproofing material, and the free end of the pipe must be painted with a primer. The free end of the steel pipe must have a chamfer at an angle of 30 degrees. The waterproof shell should not have deep scratches or cracks.

If, during a visual inspection, the pipe does not perfectly coincide circumferentially with the shell, it is necessary to check the deviation of the axial lines with a tape measure. Usually this problem is not immediately visible, but when cutting the pipe on site.

Any product in PPU must have a marking indicating:

• product designation;
• trademark or name of the manufacturer;
• batch number;
• date of manufacture.

Marking on products in polyurethane foam

If the pipe in polyurethane foam is made with SODK, it is necessary to check the conductors for breaks and short circuits using a megohmmeter. After checking, it is necessary to make an appropriate entry in the work log.

Not all aspects of pipe quality control in polyurethane foam are listed here, but only the main ones; you can fully accept polyurethane foam insulation only after fully familiarizing yourself with GOST 30732-2006.

Varieties

Depending on the characteristics, polyurethane foam is divided into five main types: hard, elastic, reticulated, integral, foam. They have different areas of application and application technology.

PPU polyurethane foam can be classified according to its release form. It is produced in sheets, rolls, blocks, cylinders. There is also acoustic material. It has a certain relief that increases its noise-absorbing characteristics.

Hard

A special feature of rigid polyurethane foam is its closed-cell structure. Thanks to this, its thermal insulation properties increase. The material has a high density.

It is used for insulating structures and soundproofing rooms. It is also used to make packaging materials for transporting fragile items, home decoration, and much more.

Rigid polyurethane foam in the form of sheets of different sizes is used for flat surfaces. It is easy to process. It is easy to cut a piece of any shape from it. It is attached with glue or dowels.

PPU shells are used to insulate pipelines. It is a half-cylinder, cylinder or small segment. More often it has an additional foil coating to protect it from adverse environmental conditions. Fastened with glue, metal or plastic ties or binding wire.

Prices for sheet polyurethane foam depend on its thickness. 1m2 of the thinnest material will cost 550 - 600 rubles. Slabs 100 mm thick cost 1,700 – 2,000 rubles. Prices for uncoated shells vary from 150 to 7,000 rubles, depending on the diameter.

Reticulated

Modern scientists have succeeded in reticulating polyurethane foam. This process is comparable to a controlled explosion, which results in the destruction of the membranes of the material. The result is a structure with an open cell shape.

Reticulated polyurethane foam is used in water and air filtration systems, as well as to create sound insulation. It is also used to make packaging materials and household items: sponges, washcloths, etc. Installation of the material on the walls is done using glue.

The cost of 1 m2 of reticulated polyurethane foam ranges from 850 to 1200 rubles. The price depends on the thickness of the material and porosity grade.

Elastic

A distinctive feature of elastic polyurethane foam is its resistance to temperature changes and chemicals. The material does not lose its properties after decades of use. After mechanical impact, it quickly restores its original shape.

This type of polyurethane foam is widely used in furniture production and the automotive industry. It is used for furniture upholstery, armrests, pillows, etc. Builders use it to create heat and sound insulation coatings. It is often used as dampers when laying floors or pipes.

Elastic polyurethane foam can be easily mounted using universal adhesive on a surface of any configuration. The price of such coverage ranges from 500 to 800 rubles per 1 m2.

Integral

Integral is called polyurethane foam that has a sandwich structure. It is a gas-filled material enclosed in a dense shell. Combines elasticity and resistance to mechanical stress. It has vibration-isolating properties.

This type of polyurethane foam is widely used in the production of furniture, car body parts, and sports equipment. It is also used to produce façade elements and interior items.

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Self-adhesive thermal insulation: how to choose and apply?

When producing such a material, chemical components are mixed in a vacuum space. Foam forms. It can be applied to surfaces of any configuration. After drying, a durable, dense coating is formed that has excellent thermal insulation properties.

Foamed polyurethane foam is used as a filler for noise-absorbing partitions in the manufacture of anti-vibration shock-absorbing inserts for technological equipment. It has become most popular when creating thermal insulation for attics, foundations, roofs, walls, and floors. It is also allowed to be used to form a waterproofing coating.

Comparison table for types of insulation for external installation

Review of manufacturers

Today, polyurethane foam is produced by many Russian and foreign companies. Among the market leaders are:

BASF

This brand was founded in Germany. Elastokam LLC became the official representative of the company in Russia. The product line includes spray-on, closed-cell, open-cell PU foam, casting systems, and materials for the formation of durable road surfaces. The company's product range includes polyurethane foam of any density. The price of liquid PU foam components of this brand ranges from 250 to 300 rubles per 1 kg.

Wanhua

Production is carried out in China. The company specializes in the production of liquid PU foam components. By mixing them, it is possible to obtain a high-quality sprayed heat-insulating material. 1 kg of components will cost 210-230 rubles.

Huntsman-NMG

Russian division of the international concern Huntsman. Since 1992, production has been carried out in the Russian Federation. The main product is sprayed polyurethane foam of various brands. The price for 1 kg of such material fluctuates around 250 -280 rubles.

Ecotermix

Russian manufacturer of components for sprayed polyurethane foam, as well as PIR and PUR filling systems. Closed-cell material of grade 300 and open-cell grade 600 are always available. The first is used for external work, and the second for internal work. Brand 300 polyurethane foam price – 160-170 rubles per 1 kg, brand 600 – 140-155 rubles.

ICYNENE

This Canadian-made polyurethane foam appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. Available in the form of separate components for the preparation of spray coating. Price for 1 kg – 180 -190 rubles.

Polymerization

Russian production company. Specializes in the production of shells, slabs, and shaped elements made of rigid polyurethane foam. Offers products of various thicknesses. 1 m2 of such coverage will cost approximately 2,500 rubles.

It is better to purchase polyurethane foam from trusted manufacturers that have a good reputation.

Before purchasing, the seller is asked to provide quality certificates and other accompanying documents for the goods. This is the only way to be sure of its quality and safety.

Production of polyurethane foam

The process of manufacturing the substance is mechanical (on an industrial scale, on expensive equipment, certain components of the oil industry are mixed). Currently, there are three known methods for producing polyurethane foam:

• casting;
• extrusion;
• pressing.

Using a press, various structures are made from rigid polyurethane, and from elastic polyurethane, finished products are formed by pouring into special molds.

How to insulate yourself?

When starting to build or renovate their home, many people think about insulating it themselves without involving specialists. It's actually possible to do this. The main thing is to know the technology of working with polyurethane foam and strictly adhere to it.

Insulation of balconies and loggias

To insulate a balcony or loggia with polyurethane foam, two main methods are used: spraying and pouring. The first method is classic. It is used to treat any surfaces. Chemical components are mixed in a special apparatus. The machine begins to foam the composition, after which it can be sprayed onto clean, dry surfaces of walls, floors, and ceilings.

Liquid polyurethane foam can also be applied by pouring. To do this you will have to build a sheathing. The material is poured between the surface of the balcony wall and the sheathing. After hardening, it forms a strong, durable coating with excellent thermal insulation properties.

Basement

It is better to insulate the basement from the outside during the construction stage of the house. If this has not been done, you will have to work indoors. To simplify and speed up the process, sheet polyurethane foam is used. The work is divided into several stages:

1. All surfaces are cleaned of dirt, falling pieces of plaster, and mold.
2. A layer of waterproofing is applied. This could be mastic, liquid rubber, bitumen, and so on.
3. PPU panels are laid. This can be done using glue. But for reliable and durable installation, it is recommended to use “fungi” dowels.
4. After this, you can cover the insulation with finishing materials.

If polyurethane foam spraying is chosen as insulation, then waterproofing is not required. The liquid material penetrates into all cracks, reliably protecting it from aggressive influences.

Walls

Wall insulation is carried out both outside and inside the premises. The first method is preferable. This will allow you to move the area of ​​condensation formation outside the room, preventing the destruction of the structure.

For walls it is recommended to use liquid polyurethane foam. It allows you to create a dense protective coating without joints. The polyurethane foam spraying process is divided into several stages:

1. The surface is cleaned of dust and cement deposits. If there are large cracks. They are filled with cement mortar.
2. The sheathing is being made. It is better to use wooden blocks for it. The distance between them should be at least 10 cm.
3. PPU is being prepared. This can only be done after wearing a protective suit. The two main components are mixed in a special apparatus. It will not be possible to carry out work without it.
4. Polyurethane foam should be sprayed onto the walls from bottom to top. The sprayer is kept at a distance of 5-6 cm from the surface.
5. After completing the work, remove the spray nozzle and close the taps on the tanks with components.

It is very difficult to carry out such work correctly on your own. In addition, expensive equipment will be required. For a small private house, its purchase turns out to be impractical. Therefore, it is better to seek help from professionals.

Floor

Polyurethane foam is rarely used for floor insulation. This is due to its low vapor permeability. Often after such work a musty smell appears in the room. This material can only be used if there is a warm basement or basement under the floor.

Reviews from professionals recommend using sprayed polyurethane foam most often. The process of installing it is no different from working with walls. The material is also sprayed into the space between the sheathing. After the foam has completely dried, you can proceed to laying the flooring.

Attics and attics

Insulating the roof and walls of the attic allows you to reduce heating costs in winter and avoid a significant increase in temperature in summer. It is extremely difficult for a novice master to carry out such work on his own. Liquid polyurethane foam will need to be applied to vertical walls, as well as to roof surfaces with a negative slope.

Application of the material is allowed only in the warm season. All windows and doors are covered with plastic film. The first layer of sprayed polyurethane foam should have a thickness of about 15 mm. If necessary, after it has completely dried, additional material is applied.

Installation methods

Spraying a thermal insulating coating made of polyurethane foam is a fast and high-quality installation method. To successfully spray thermal insulation you need:

• Dry, clean work surface;
• Lack of precipitation (rain, snow, fog);
• Wind no stronger than 5 m/sec;
• Working surface temperature from +10°C;
• Mixture temperature +18-25оС;
• The thickness of the sprayed layer is 3-5 cm.

The work is carried out in a protective suit and mask, in a ventilated room, starting with hard-to-reach areas (pipes, ventilation hatches, etc.). The sprayed layer in one pass is about 15 mm; for reliable insulation, the surface is treated several times.

Tips and tricks from professionals

Despite the fact that polyurethane foam appeared on the Russian market relatively recently, professionals have managed to thoroughly study its properties and features of use.

They give some advice to novice masters:

• If a section of insulation is damaged, it must be cut out with a sharp knife and foamed again.
• To ensure that polyurethane foam lasts at least 30 years, it is protected from ultraviolet radiation. To do this, you can use polymer mastic or polyurea.
• For self-spraying PU foam on a small surface area, you can use disposable installations. Today they can be found in large construction stores. They will be much cheaper than professional equipment.

Polyurethane foam is a modern safe material with excellent thermal insulation properties. It is universal, suitable for processing any surface. Spraying polyurethane foam is a complex process, so it is better to entrust it to specialists.

Parameters of sprayed insulation

It’s worth saying right away that, as with any other insulation, it is preferable to insulate the walls of buildings from the outside. If you insulate from the inside, the outer wall will freeze. How many defrosting/freezing cycles it will withstand depends on the material, but rarely will such a house last more than 10 years.

When insulating the outside with polyurethane foam, a final exterior finish is required - the surface has a very unattractive appearance. But there are no problems with freezing of the walls, the building will last a long time.

There are no problems with the roof at all. Roofing materials are designed to withstand repeated freezing, so roof insulation with polyurethane foam can be done from the inside, spraying it directly onto the “underside” of the roofing material or onto the sheathing.

Sprayed thermal insulation can be applied to any surface, and the roof can be insulated from the inside

Whether to insulate the house from the outside or from the inside, we figured it out. Now a little about the layer thickness. Insulation with polyurethane foam is usually made of large thickness. This is not due to the fact that small is not enough. Usually, just according to thermal characteristics, an insulation thickness of 2-3 cm is required, but they make it at least 5 cm. This is so that under any conditions the dew point ends up in the thickness of the thermal insulation, and not in the wall material. Since polyurethane foam is non-hygroscopic, it cannot get wet, condensation simply does not occur, and excess moisture is removed naturally due to the vapor permeability of the material.

Drawing conclusions

Many organizations purchase sets of PU foam mattresses in bulk. This is relevant, given their affordable cost against the backdrop of excellent properties and characteristics.

If you want to ensure a healthy and soft sleep for yourself, there are many reasons to get a mattress based on polyurethane foam. Just don’t choose blindly based on the photo without studying the exact composition and characteristics.

Regarding PU foam mattresses, I can say the following. This is a good option. But provided that the product is of high quality and manufactured using modern technologies. They contain the safest components and effective fillers that provide a wide range of positive qualities. But even the most expensive mattresses are not recommended to be used for more than 10 years.

Sources

• https://stroynedvizhka.ru/stroitelnye-materialy/sostav-svoystva-penopoliuretana/
• https://comfort-da.ru/chto-takoe-penopoliuretan/
• https://gidpotkanyam.ru/chto-takoe-penopoliuretan.html
• https://teplota.guru/teploizolyatsiya/penopoliuretan.html
• https://oboiman.ru/inside/poliuretanovye-matrasy-13-foto-cto-eto-takoe-cem-opasen-dla-zdorova-etot-matrac-10-sm-otzyvy.html
• https://kachestvolife.club/stroitelstvo/uteplenie/penopoliuretan
• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/krovati/poliuretanovyj-matras/
• https://vmk-mebel.ru/mebel-dlya-spalni/matras-iz-penopoliuretana/

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Safety

A material is said to be environmentally friendly if only high-quality components and professional equipment were used when pouring the thermal insulation coating. It is equally important that the spraying is done by a qualified craftsman - how he mixes the components affects the safety of the coating. Raw materials for polyurethane foam belong to hazard classes 2 and 3, and after hardening, a material characterized by inertness is formed.

If the proportions of the starting components are chosen incorrectly or the technology for preparing the liquid mixture is violated, the chemicals will not react completely. The result is a pungent, toxic odor that does not dissipate well and causes illness. An experienced craftsman does not make mistakes, making the coating environmentally friendly and non-flammable.

During the mixing of raw materials, toxic formaldehyde, benzene, phenol and toluene diisocyanate are formed. After applying the “coat,” they evaporate within a day and are no longer released, unlike foam plastic or mineral wool. Opponents of the chemical compound focus on the destruction of the substance during the combustion process. They state that at a temperature of 180 ° C, ethylene, formaldehyde, nitrogen and carbon oxides, and isocyanates are released. In reality, such temperature conditions are not compatible with human life, so there is no need to talk about harm.

Moderately flammable, low-flammability material is characterized by low smoke-generating ability. Look at the photo with a charred but not burnt room. There was a fire on the top floor, but sprayed polyurethane foam contained the fire due to its low thermal conductivity and non-flammability. Not only hard compounds have such properties, but also high-quality soft ones. Sofas and pillows based on elastic polyurethane foam do not burn, do not emit harmful substances, do not cause allergies, and doctors do not prohibit their use. Cheap brands of foam rubber do not differ in such properties.

Why may the delivery length of pipes be slightly shorter or longer than ordered?

When issuing an invoice, the theoretical length of the pipe is taken. At metal warehouses, pipes are stored in bundles, and it is not possible to keep track of which pipe is on top and which is on the bottom. After paying the invoice, at the time of loading the steel pipe at the metal depot, the customer is informed how many strands of pipe and what length were loaded for it and clarifies: should the footage be rounded down or up?

When ordering a seamless pipe, everything is even more complicated; according to GOST 8732-78 and GOST 8734-78 it is unmeasured, that is, each rod has an individual length. GOST allows a difference from 4m to 12m. In reality, the difference in a particular batch is smaller, for example, from 9m to 11m. In some cases, when ordering a standard size, the insulation plant may cut it to size and keep the rest of the pipe, but such cases are always agreed upon in advance (before paying the invoice).

Price list 2022 for heat-shrinkable couplings

Can I use used pipes?

In laying heating networks, used pipes are practically not used. Only as VUS cases, when new pipes in polyurethane foam are laid inside a used large-diameter pipe. In this case, the used pipe only performs the function of additional protection and the requirements for it are, accordingly, much lower.

The laying of heating networks is strictly regulated by state standards; it is almost impossible to use used pipes without damage. The pipe through which water flowed, even for a relatively short time, is no longer suitable for reuse due to corrosion. The pipes through which oil flowed become so saturated with it that, again, they become unsuitable for heating networks where water flows through the pipes. Only gas pipes after sandblasting look almost like new and are generally similar in their characteristics to new pipes that have been lying in the open air at a metal warehouse for a couple of years. But in any case, it is more profitable for pipe factories to take used pipes for scrap and cast new pipes than to try to sell used products.

The polyurethane foam shell after the cycle “production – delivery – laying – operation – digging – delivery back” becomes unusable. It would never occur to anyone to reuse such pipes in a real heating network, since the insignificant savings pale in comparison to the cost of operation that increases tenfold when the insulation begins to deteriorate and become wet.

Video

What is polyurethane foam?

How to choose a mattress? All about foams (or polyurethane foam, or foam rubber). Consults with GASH master.

Filled polyurethane foam Pouring material into a wall cavity

Marking of industrial pipes with polyurethane insulation and shells

The designation of industrially produced products according to GOST 30732-2006 includes the symbols:

1. The abbreviated name of the pipe material, usually steel with the designation St.
2. Outer diameter (mm).
3. Wall thickness (mm).
4. For products with HDPE casing, insulation class (1 - normal, 2 - reinforced).
5. The designation of the heat-insulating material is polyurethane foam.
6. Marking of external protection (PE - polyethylene, OTs - galvanized steel)
7. Reinforcement with bandages – B.
8. Indication of the corresponding GOST 30732-2006.

The shell designation consists of the following symbols:

1. Product name, shell – SK.
2. Inner diameter (mm).
3. Manufacturing material (PPU polyurethane foam).
4. Thickness of the heat-insulating layer (mm.).
5. Availability of a protective outer coating (PO).

Rice. 11 Examples of shell and pipe installation

Condition of heating networks in St. Petersburg

The heating network system of St. Petersburg is one of the most extensive in Russia. The total length of the pipelines exceeds 4770 km, and the diameter of the pipes varies from 50 to 1400 mm. Heating mains are mostly laid underground. Unfortunately, a significant part of them are in emergency or pre-emergency condition, since these are still Soviet pipes 30 years old. Therefore, the installation of new energy-efficient heating networks is more important than ever for the city.

The information in the article is current as of 06/01/2021.

Is a polyurethane foam mattress harmful to health?

This controversial issue does not go unnoticed in the modern world. Polyurethane foam is a polymer that contains organic compounds at its core. They are obtained from oil - these are hydrocarbons. In the process of heating the material to human body temperature, it releases harmful odors and chemical elements.

This fact is the main component of the opinion about the dangers of foam rubber. But there is one argument in favor of the filler. Toxicity is caused by improper production of foam rubber. Hence the conclusion is that purchasing a mattress with such a filling element should be based on the right choice.

Reviews

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a mattress, it is better to read customer reviews before purchasing. We have prepared an overview of the most popular models among consumers:

• IKEA. Buyers of polyurethane foam mattresses of this brand note the most important advantage - the price. If you choose by rigidity, then consumers are attracted to stiffer models. Although the most popular is Bedinge. This is a single-layer PU foam mattress that is suitable for any category of customers for daily use. The set includes a removable cover that can be replaced or washed.
• MATROLUXE. A Ukrainian brand that has won the trust of customers. Buyers note a long service life and lack of deformation, even on children's models, since the products are made of high-density polyurethane. The set also includes a removable cover made of 100% cotton. This will ensure complete hypoallergenicity and breathability. In addition, buyers consider the large selection of colors to be a plus.
• Big Roll is a model that belongs to springless mattresses. If we compare reviews, many agree that this mattress is suitable for those who are used to sleeping on a hard surface. The polyurethane foam filling of different densities will provide back support, and the combination of wool and cotton between the filling and the top layer creates a winter-summer effect. As for transportation, this mattress, rolled into a roll, can be carried from the store to home in your hands.