At Synthesia Internacional, we manufacture and distribute polyurethane systems for building and industry. The greatest application of these systems is through projection. The result is known as projected polyurethane or spray foam.

Origin of spray foam: how is it obtained?

Rigid polyurethane foam is obtained when two chemicals – a disocyanate and a polyol – are mixed in the presence of suitable catalysts and activators.

In the application of rigid foam by projection for thermal insulation functions in the construction sector, the mixing takes place in a reduced chamber located in the projecting gun.

Once the components are mixed, the heat released during the reaction is used to vaporize the blowing agent, which is the cause of the transformation of the mixture into foam with an approximate volume of 30 times the volume of the components in liquid state.

This video shows in detail how rigid polyurethane foam is formed from these two components.

Properties of Spray Foam

Thermal Properties

Spray foam has a high insulating capacity due to the low thermal conductivity of the foaming gas in its closed cells, which can be set at 10ºC = 0.022 W / m · K, according to UNE 92202, although this value slightly rises over time until it is finally stabilized.

After 9 months of aging, the value is considered to be 10 ° C = 0.028 W / m · K, according to UNE 92120-1, which represents a 25% of improvement over the average of the other products used in insulation (eg, mineral wool, extruded and expanded polystyrene foams).

This material is highly resistant to the effects of time and has a long service life, remaining undisturbed for more than 50 years.

The rigid polyurethane foam obtained by projection is the most efficient insulating material, since it requires a minimum thickness to isolate the same as other insulating materials. This good thermal behaviour in relation to thickness means more profits, since there is no waste of the useful surface of a building.

The combination of thermal and economic benefits has been one of the main drivers of market development for projected polyurethane, which is in full expansion.

Properties against water

The regulation seeks to limit the risk of improper presence of water inside the buildings and their enclosures. Intermediate continuous coatings – such as those obtained from projected polyurethane system applications – are one of the best alternatives to meet these impermeability requirements.

Spray foam meets the requirements of DB-HS1 for insulation materials relating to sealing, resistance to cracking, adhesion, permeability and physical and chemical stability.

With a continuous coating like closed-cell polyurethane, no other kind of covering is needed since the material itself meets the impermeability requirements. This implies economic and space advantages, since the required thickness is lower.

Regarding moisture, spray foam guarantees, in most cases, the absence of interstitial condensation, due to the relative values of humidity and its density. This feature allows the transpiration of the enclosure, which avoids pathologies related to indoor sanitation, at the same time that it guarantees the durability of the building.

Properties against air

An optimum insulation system must combine thermal properties with a good behaviour against air. That is, it must guarantee the tightness of the building.

Air tightness is one of the concepts around which passive houses revolve, which allows savings of up to 80% compared to traditional buildings.

Spray foam insulation is a continuous insulation: this continuity forms the barrier against air that allows the envelope of the building to have suitable sealing.

Properties against fire

We invite you to watch the following videos in our Youtube channel for a comparison of constructive solutions of polyurethane and mineral wool, referring to the behaviour against fire in final condition of use.

Spray Foam systems with insulating function

As we pointed out above, at Synthesia Internacional we manufacture polyurethane systems for the building and industry sectors.

In the case of spray foam, our polyurethane systems applied to building focus on three functions: thermal insulation, acoustic insulation and anti-radon barriers.

Spray foam as thermal insulation

We can say that spray foam insulation is in fashion and this is mainly due to its functions as thermal insulating material. Some examples of applications of our spary foam systems with thermal insulation functions are:

Polyurethane systems for insulation: floors

Pitched roof insulation and stabilisation

Timber frame walls and Concrete Ground Floors with spray applied polyurethane foam

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Spray foam as sound insulation

We have a range of spary foam systems which, in addition to the function of thermal insulation, have excellent acoustic characteristics. We invite you to read more about it in:

Acoustic Spray Foam systems for walls

Why to insulate floors?

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Spray foam as an anti-radon barrier

Our newest polyurethane system combines the function of thermal insulation with that of anti-radon barrier. The new spary foam ECO superinsulation is presented as an efficient solution against the danger of radon gas in buildings.

This anti-radon barrier is optimal both in new construction and in already built buildings.

Click here to receive more information about the problem of radon in buildings!

Contact Synthesia Internacional

The above are just a few examples of our polyurethane systems designed for buildings. We have a wide variety and a specific line of polyurethane for industrial applications.

If you are interested in receiving more information, do not hesitate to contact us through the following form.

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