Polyurethane rigid foam boards (PUR) are organic insulation materials and belong to the group of foam plastics. Polyurethane is produced by foaming polyols and isocyanates from petroleum products and partly from renewable raw materials such as potatoes and corn. The chemical reaction of liquid raw materials and the addition of propellants creates a rigid foam that gets its insulating effect from the inclusion of air or propellants in the inflated cells. Polyurethane is resistant to aging and mold, rot, and rotting. It has a low bulk density, which has a comparatively disadvantageous effect in terms of summer thermal insulation as well as sound insulation.
The production is very energy-intensive and, although partly made of natural products, the material cannot be recycled or composted. Toxic gases can be released during combustion. Polyurethane is often used mainly because of its low thermal conductivity and is available as a dimensionally stable sheet in thicknesses of 20 - 300 mm. A further developed form of PUR rigid foam boards are PIR rigid foam boards, which are characterized by a higher isocyanate content. PUR is also suitable as perimeter insulation, provided that the product has a corresponding building authority approval.
Source: bauwion
