With the hot days of summer behind us, it’s time to start planning for the cold days ahead (depending on your location, of course). Process control is important in any weather, but for polyurethane foam users, fall and winter are particularly important times to pay attention to chemical temperatures.
Foaming with chemicals that are too cold can adversely affect final foam performance, sometimes significantly. It’s important to keep your polyurethane chemicals within a consistent temperature range, especially with temperatures dropping below freezing – not to mention below zero – in many parts of the US. Properly storing your polyurethane chemicals is also critical to maintaining optimal shelf life.
Here are some important facts to remember:
- Do NOT store chemicals at temperatures below 50°F.
- Pre-heat chemicals to 75° – 90°F prior to use. Depending on vessel size, pre-heating will take a minimum of 12 hours and up to 48 hours in an 85°F temperature-controlled room.
- Maintain chemical temperatures of 75° – 90°F during use.
When in doubt, FSI is always here to help! You’ll find optimal storage and use temperatures, as well as other important information, listed in the Safety Data Sheet for each chemical system we offer. And of course, always feel free to contact your FSI representative if you have any other questions on how temperature can affect your foam performance.
