| abstract |
A process for preparing a cavity-filling, fast-gelling closed cell rigid polyurethane foam comprises preparing a formulation including at least a polyisocyanate, a relatively high viscosity polyol system including at least about 10 percent by weight of an amine-initiated polyol, a physical blowing agent, a blowing catalyst and a curing catalyst, and, optionally, less than about 1.6 weight percent of water based on the polyol system. Other conventional components, such as a chain extender and/or crosslinker, surfactant, and the like may also be included. The formulation is injected under a reduced atmospheric pressure to achieve a closed cell, rigid polyurethane foam having a density of less than about 40 kg/m3, an average cell diameter of less than about 250 microns, and a thermal conductivity of less than about 19 mW/mK at 10 DEG C average plate temperature. |