Foam assessment parameters

Foam assessment parameters

Introduction

Spray Polyurethane Foam is a useful tool in the construction sector for insulation purposes for walls, attics, and room assemblies.  The construction industry recognizes SPF as a superior insulating material but relies on the type of installation and the conditions within which it remains.  SPFs use highly reactive chemicals that without good installation results into awful odor that tends to compromise the effective use of this product. Similarly, the SPF color is also subject to significant changes when exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

The paper, therefore, sorts to address the colorization component as key to the effectiveness of the function ability of SPFs.  The color stability of SPFs relies on temperature, UV light, and oxidation process.  Similarly, BHT, which is a common component in many plastics, also affects the color. The understanding discoloration will also require knowledge of the elements making polyurethane foam. This is achieved through the reaction of polyol and water, forming an aromatic amine with the capability of oxidation to develop Quinone. This Quinone assumes a yellow color as time goes following the continuation of the oxidation process.  The foam making process is exothermic; thus, the form scorches at the center when some value of heat is exceeded. Therefore, exposure to heat decolorizes this form.

Additionally, we have gas-induced oxidation more prominent during the winter. The oxides of nitrogen, pollution, or gas-fired furnaces tend to induce a change in color to yellow.  BHT in itself is volatile, thus deposits to materials in the presence or absence of contact with materials. In the case of UV exposure, the aromatic isocyanate In the SP form tends to change to yellow when exposed to UV light. Finally, the addition of additives contributes immensely to the possibility of discoloration, particularly the fire redundant tend to pose the SPFs to a possibility of color change.  This component in the tests will, therefore, require putting the SPF into different environmental conditions to show the variations in the color change.

Materials

• Polyurethane foam
• Thermometer
• Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Sunlight
• Source of heat
• Nitrogen gas
• UV light

Methods

The scope of the paper is confined to the colorization issues related to the SPFs, including all the physical conditions that pose the materials to discoloration issues. There is various literature that addresses these issues, thus also contributes to our methods as it will enable us to exploit the information based on the previous studies in this field. The literature will provide the early studies done on the topic to highlight the cases of discoloration that require in-depth consideration. It will help us in defining the scope of our research in that it enlightens us on the methods that have proved futile in the future and those that have been successful in making a decision based on the appropriate system.

Our methods will also involve experimentation based on the different environmental conditions that influence SPF color. In this regard, our experiment will include exposing the SPF to UV light, BHT component, fire retardant additives, and heat.  The control experiment will involve exposing this material to ideal conditions with favorable conditions, and The variability will enable us to determine some of the states within which the elements are prone to discoloration.

Our final method will be the conduction of an interview on the experts with in-depth knowledge of SPFs. In this regard, we will examine their understanding of colorization patterns of these materials based on their long experience and study of these materials. I believe that from the above methods, we will explore sufficient information on color change patters in SPFs.