PUR foam cold insulation material is a low-temperature insulation material based on rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam. It is mainly used to reduce heat transfer from the surrounding environment into cold media, equipment, or systems.
Rigid PUR foam forms a closed-cell structure during foaming. Its low thermal conductivity, light weight, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability make it suitable for industrial cold insulation, refrigeration equipment, building insulation, and other low-temperature applications.
The closed-cell structure of PUR foam helps reduce heat transfer and provides good thermal insulation performance. At the same time, its relatively low weight can help control the overall weight of an insulated structure, which is particularly useful for ships and space-constrained equipment.
Rigid PUR foam provides more than thermal insulation. It also offers a certain level of compressive strength, tensile resistance, and cushioning performance, allowing it to provide support within an insulation system. Its dimensional stability can also help maintain consistent insulation performance when properly designed and used.
PUR foam can additionally provide a degree of sound insulation, vibration reduction, and separation. These properties can be useful in certain building, marine, and equipment applications.
PUR foam has relatively low water absorption, making it suitable for low-temperature environments where moisture control is important. However, a complete cold insulation system still requires appropriate vapor barriers, sealing layers, and protective coverings to limit moisture penetration.
▸ Key Point: Low thermal conductivity, light weight, mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and low water absorption work together — but a complete system still depends on vapor barriers, sealing layers, and protective coverings.
PUR foam cold insulation is used across a range of industries, including petroleum, chemical processing, and ethylene facilities. It is also used in cold storage, refrigerators, buildings, and marine low-temperature systems.
| Application | Main Purpose |
|---|---|
| Petroleum, chemical, and ethylene facilities | Reduce heat gain or heat loss from low-temperature media |
| Low-temperature pipes and tanks | Reduce heat transfer and help control condensation |
| Cold storage and refrigerators | Limit heat entering the refrigerated space |
| Marine low-temperature systems | Provide insulation while helping reduce structural weight |
| Building insulation | Provide thermal insulation with some sound insulation benefits |
For piping applications, PUR foam can be processed into prefabricated pipe sections according to the required dimensions, making it suitable for low-temperature pipe insulation. Performance requirements vary by application. Industrial systems generally place greater emphasis on operating temperature, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength, while marine and building applications may also require consideration of weight, available space, and installation methods.
Different PUR foam formulations and structures may have different suitable temperature ranges. The actual operating temperature of the equipment or pipe should therefore be confirmed first. Environmental humidity, mechanical loads, and fire-safety requirements should also be considered during material selection.
Important properties include thermal conductivity, density, compressive strength, water absorption, service temperature, and fire performance. Thermal conductivity directly affects insulation efficiency, while density and mechanical strength influence structural performance. Water absorption, fire performance, and temperature suitability can also affect long-term performance in specific environments.
▣ Properties to Evaluate
PUR foam offers good processing flexibility and can be prefabricated into boards, pipe sections, or other insulation components. Rigid PUR Foam Pipe Insulation can be used for low-temperature piping, while on-site foaming can be considered for complex structures or irregular areas.
Prefabricated components are suitable for projects with defined dimensions and a need for efficient installation. On-site foaming is more suitable for complex or irregular structures. The appropriate method should be selected according to the equipment design and site conditions.
In marine low-temperature insulation systems, rigid polyurethane foam (PUR) can also be fabricated into insulation components according to the structural requirements.
PUR foam combines low thermal conductivity, light weight, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability. It can also provide a degree of sound insulation, vibration reduction, and separation, making it suitable for various low-temperature insulation applications.
However, different insulation materials have different performance priorities. PIR, cellular glass, and fiberglass, for example, differ in areas such as temperature resistance, fire performance, water absorption, and mechanical properties. Material selection should therefore be based on the actual operating conditions and overall insulation system design.
▸ Note: PIR, cellular glass, and fiberglass each have different performance priorities — temperature resistance, fire performance, water absorption, and mechanical properties all vary. Always match the material to the actual operating conditions.
Copyright © 2025ZHEJIANG ZHENSHEN INSULATION TECHNOLOGY CORP.LTD. All rights reserved. 网站备案/许可证号：浙ICP备16010266号-1
