Frequently Asked Questions

We answer the frequently asked questions about polyurethane

COMPANY

How can I contact Synthesia Technology?

You can contact us through our contact form. We will be happy to help you and answer your questions.

In which countries do you have delegations or representation?

We have 2 factories in Spain (Barcelona) and 1 in Panama, but we have several sales offices, agents and distributors all over the world. If you want more information, write us through our contact form.

Do you provide technical advice?

Yes. Write us through our contact form and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Do you work directly with private individuals?

We regret to inform you that we do not sell to private individuals, we sell products and provide services on a larger scale. We recommend you to contact an insulation company in your area.

Where can I find the technical data sheets?

Technical data sheets can be found on our website (www.synthesia.com) and a wide variety of catalogues, videos or case studies can be found on our resources page.

USES

What are the uses of polyurethane?

Polyurethane is a material with a variety of uses. Its role as an insulator in building construction and its multiple uses in industrial applications stands out.

What are the industrial applications of polyurethane?

Polyurethane systems are widely used in different sectors ranging from construction to medicine. Polyurethane systems can be found in seats, casings, technical laboratory equipment, armrests, headrests, tires and even in the adhesives used to join different parts. Discover many more in our industrial applications section.

What is sprayed polyurethane used for?

Sprayed polyurethane is a particularly useful material because of its excellent insulating properties. It provides versatile solutions that adapt to all construction elements. It is easy to  install and has a great adhesion to practically any substrate, forming a uniform, continuous and seamless layer. In building construction, it is mainly used as insulation in facades, roofs, floors and interior partitions.

What is injected polyurethane used for?

Injected polyurethane is easy to apply in hard-to-reach areas, which explains the boom in its use in the renovation of buildings that do not have thermal insulation. The most common application is the injection of polyurethane in facade cavities.

Is it possible to insulate against airborne noise with polyurethane?

Yes, polyurethane improves airborne noise insulation in building envelopes, both in partitions between neighbours and in external facades.

Can polyurethane be recycled?

Yes, polyurethane is recyclable. Much of the raw material used to manufacture polyurethane insulation foam comes from the chemical recycling of polyurethane waste. Although the installation of the different polyurethane insulation systems generates very little waste as they are made to measure or manufactured on site.

Is polyurethane effective as an anti-radon measure?

Polyurethane is one of the best materials for creating an anti-radon barrier, as it offers a continuous, seamless, totally watertight surface that adapts to any particularity of the ground and has excellent mechanical resistance.

COMPONENTS

What are the components of polyurethane?

Polyurethane is made up of two components: polyol and isocyanate, which are liquid at room temperature. After being sprayed or injected, a chemical reaction takes place which results in a solid, uniform and very resistant structure.

What temperature does the mixture of the components reach?

The temperature depends on the type of formulation we are talking about, because the amount of material used, the density, the reaction reactivity, etc.... affect the internal temperature and this can vary greatly. Generally speaking, they can reach temperatures ranging from 50ºC to 140ºC.

What is the optimal thickness of the polyurethane?

The optimal thickness of the polyurethane depends on the use we want to give it and the construction element of which it forms part. Designing the envelope with the optimum insulation thickness is the best strategy to achieve the greatest benefit at the lowest cost.

FEATURES

Is there any surface to which polyurethane does not adhere?

Polyurethane has excellent adhesion to solid, clean and dry substrates and to all building materials in general. It should not be forgotten that polyurethane foam was discovered in the research of a glue.

What is the thermal conductivity of polyurethane?

Thermal conductivity is a physical property present in any material, including polyurethane, which measures the ability to conduct heat through it, or in other words, the transport of heat energy through a body. Polyurethane systems are one of the materials on the market that provide the best thermal insulation with the minimum thickness. This feature is made possible thanks to the low thermal conductivity of polyurethane.

Does polyurethane solve humidity problems?

Polyurethane acts as a moisture regulating membrane thanks to its properties, as, in addition to being waterproof, polyurethane systems are permeable to water vapour.

APPLICATION

How to inject polyurethane correctly?

Polyurethane injection techniques are highly developed and require different controls during their execution. 

The first step is to carry out a preliminary study of the situation of the wall in which we want to intervene. It is recommended that the air chamber is at least 5 cm thick, that is continuous and that the minimum recommended temperature of the substrate during injection is 5ºC. 

A series of holes will be drilled to later inject the polyurethane from bottom to top. Once the injection is completed, the drilled holes or gaps will be closed, and the walls will be made uniform.

How to spray polyurethane correctly?

To apply sprayed polyurethane correctly, a series of factors must be taken into account, ranging from atmospheric conditions and machinery settings to the types and shapes of the applications. 

Surfaces must be clean, dry and free of dust and grease to ensure good adhesion of the polyurethane foam to the substrate. 

The recommended minimum substrate temperature during spraying is 5ºC. 

The layer thickness is perfectly controllable and can be modified by varying the application speed and/or the mixing chamber of the spray gun.

What are the climatic conditions to take into account when applying polyurethane?

The applicator should check that the environmental conditions are within the range set by the technical data sheet of the chosen polyurethane system. Unless otherwise indicated, the application conditions must be as follows:

  • Ambient temperature: between 5ºC and 40ºC
  • Substrate temperature: higher than 5ºC
  • Ambient humidity: Less than 85%
  • Porous substrate humidity: Less than 20%
  • Non-porous substrate humidity: Dry

SAFETY

Does polyurethane have any effect on health?

Polyurethane foam is completely inert and harmless to humans, in fact, it is present in our lives in hundreds of forms.

Contrary to what some people claim, several studies certify that polyurethane does not pose a health risk to users.

So, if you are concerned about polyurethane producing toxic emissions that pollute or reduce air quality of buildings, you can rest assured.

Although isocyanate or MDI is present in the chemical reaction, the polyurethane foam formed becomes an inert material and nothing remains of the isocyanate previously present, so there are no emissions of this substance.

Is polyurethane safe in case of fire?

Polyurethane is a safe material in case of fire.

If it comes into contact with fire, its outer part carbonises, protecting the core. 

In case of being directly affected by fire, the fumes generated during combustion have a composition similar to that of other organic products used on a daily basis, such as wood, cork or cotton.

What is the environmental impact of polyurethane?

The environmental impact of polyurethane is less than we might think because it helps to reduce or avoid energy losses, resulting in energy savings and increased energy efficiency.

On the other hand, due to its excellent durability, polyurethane-based insulation will most likely not need to be replaced during the entire lifetime of the building, thus saving energy and resources.

Both polyurethane and polyurethane foam are recyclable and, in fact, through chemical recycling of polyurethane waste, new raw material is obtained to manufacture polyurethane again.