- Author
- Nadeau, H. B. | Waszeciak, P. H. | Sayigh, A. A. P.
- Title
- Method for Determination of the Cellular Gas Content of Rigid Urethane Foams and Its Relationship to Thermoconductivity.
- Coporate
- Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, MI
- Book or Conf
- National Academy of Sciences. Cellular Plastics. Publication 1462. April 13-15, 1966., Natick, MA, 109-122 p., 1966
- Keywords
- urethanes | thermal conductivity | cellular plastics
- Abstract
- Use of the outstanding applications of expanded plastics, and of rigid urethane foams in particular, is in the field of thermal insulation. Today, rigid and semirigid foams are being used for insulation in the transportation industry, in the appliance field, in clothing, in the construction field, and in many other areas. The most important physical property, the basis for the insulative use of these foams, is thermal conductivity. It must be evaluated and controlled. The thermal conductivity of a material such as urethane foam is expressed in terms of a k factor or a k value and has the dimensions of Btu/(hr) (ft(2)) (deg F/in.). Many natural and synthetic insulants contain gases trapped in a matrix. These gases act as poor conductors of heat and consequently cause the materials to be good insulators.