As the days begin to warm, your equipment starts to work more frequently, and the purchasing of material increases, there grows a responsibility to the material components. There are two core aspects to properly maintaining the PMDI (ISO) and Polyol components of spray foam insulation, Processing and Storage. There is no single constant for all types of material, but there are some general guidelines and recommendations that can be applied to most types of SPF insulation.
MATERIAL STORAGE
PMDIs, the A-component, and Polyols, the B-component, are complex materials that need to be stored properly, especially during the warm months of summer. Common temperatures for storage typically start around 60°F to 70°F and top off in the vicinity of 100°F. It is ideal to store materials in a well-ventilated and climate controlled area, yet not everyone has accessibility to such a facility. Knowing your specific manufacturer’s recommended storage temperatures and watching for the bowing of drums are vital to ensuring the proper performance of your product when you begin to process and apply it.
MATERIAL PROCESSING
There are four key metrics that guide applicators to ideal application conditions with most types of spray foam:
- Material Temperature
- Equipment Heater Temperatures
- Material Preparation
- List Item
- Equipment Pressures
Spray foam equipment heater temperatures and pressures are often different from one producer of foam to another. Common to most SPF insulations is the fact that open cell products are often subject to a higher range of both pressure and temperature settings. A small change in your equipment’s heater temperatures or pressures can yield very different results in the output of the SPF.
On the material side, the physical drum temperature and preparation of the material are key steps in a successful application. Many open cell spray foams require a process of agitation and/or recirculation before any spraying begins. Drum temperatures need to be maintained at the manufacturer’s recommended levels, which typically land around 75°F. Proper drum temperature is one of the factors in producing quality, high yielding spray foam.
