Optimizing Processing and Performance of Spray Polyurethane Foam Using BICAT~R Catalysts and Solstice~R Blowing Agents

摘要

Growing concerns about emissive amines, the health and environmental impacts of tin catalysts, and accelerating adoption of hydrofluoroelefin (HFO) Mowing agents are driving foam systems houses to reinvent their formulation technology, especially the catalyst packages. Traditional catalyst strategies often do not meet the strict performance and EH&S requirements in current and developmental spray polyurethane foam systems. Shepherd Chemical recognized the need for new catalysts to meet these requirements and developed a new generation of hydrolyiically stable bismuth-based catalysts, BiCAT 8840 and BiCAT 8842. These catalysts have shown to be a critical component in spray foam catalyst packages, optimizing the performance of spray foam systems containing fourth-generation Mowing agents, especially Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA). This paper will address the common challenges and misconceptions around formulating with metal catalysts, particularly bismuth, for spray polyurethane foams (SPF). We will provide data demonstrating the high quality and efficiency of BiCAT catalysts for processing, adhesion, physical properties, and value in a model SPF wall foam formulation that is representative of commercial formulations used by systems houses.