The low-λ organic foam of fridges and buildings — excellent insulation, a fire design problem unless PIR and coverings are honest.
Also called: PUR / PIR · spray foam · rigid PU insulation
Polyurethane foam is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under thermal: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Polyurethane foam with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Polyurethane foam (R-NH-COO-R′ network + blowing agent) is a family of grades whose density 30–60 kg/m³ rigid boards, heat band pyrolyses; does not melt cleanly, and fire letter typically E–B with facers; not A1.
Polyurethane foam is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry R-NH-COO-R′ network + blowing agent, density 30–60 kg/m³ rigid boards, heat band pyrolyses; does not melt cleanly.
This atlas treats Polyurethane foam as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: λ ~0.022–0.028 W/m·K (aged PIR boards, bands). Insulation score 88/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: typically E–B with facers; not A1. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: Otto Bayer 1937; fridge foam 1950s, Germany. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: mineral-wool.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 32/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
Germany · 1937
Otto Bayer is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
Global · 1960s–
Refrigerator cabinet is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
Europe · 1990s–
PIR foil board is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
United States · 1970s–
Spray foam gun is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
North America · 1980s–
SIP panel is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
Global · 1960s–
Car seat foam is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
Global · 2010s
HFO molecule era is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
Global · 1970s–
Sandwich panel is a reference point in the public image of Polyurethane foam.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
Crimped keratin that traps still air — suiting, carpets and a quietly decent fire story among apparel fibres.
Overall 53 🕯️Latent-heat packets that flatten temperature swings — not a substitute for λ insulation, a complement.
Overall 36 🧴The world’s volume plastic — bags, bottles, pipes and the UHMWPE cousin in medical and ballistic fibre.
Overall 40 📦A sealed vacuum sandwich — λ around 0.004–0.008 W/m·K until the envelope leaks.
Overall 44Melted rock or glass spun into A1 batts — the default non-combustible insulation of codes.
Overall 69 📦A sealed vacuum sandwich — λ around 0.004–0.008 W/m·K until the envelope leaks.
Overall 44 🕯️Latent-heat packets that flatten temperature swings — not a substitute for λ insulation, a complement.
Overall 36