Abstract: Hollow thermoexpandable particles or microspheres are provided that contain hydrocarbon blowing agents and have a shell polymer that can be softened at the onset of the expansion temperature and solidified at a higher temperature (thermoset) in an expanded state. Preferably, the microspheres have a shell of thermally expandable and thermally crosslinkable polymer and a hollow interior that contains a hydrocarbon liquid that boils at a temperature below the heat activated crosslinking temperature of the polymer shell. The crosslinking of the shell polymer during or after expansion, which is heat activated at an elevated temperature, can solidify the shell polymer and, then, maintain the expanded volume of the microspheres. The thermoexpandable thermoset polymer particles are useful in insulation, packaging, for making foam materials such as polyurethane or polyisocyanurate rigid foams.

Abstract: A system and a method of providing PUR/PIR foam using flammable blowing agent. The flammable blowing agent is introduced to PUR/PIR manufacturing equipment via an independent feed-line. This enables a flammable blowing agent storage vessel to be located off site from the foam manufacturing equipment. The independent flammable blowing agent feed-line couples the off-site flammable blowing agent storage vessel with the foam production system. The preferred flammable blowing agent is pentane.

Abstract: A polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate foam is made using expandable microspheres which encapsulate a primary blowing agent. By expanding during the foam making process, the microspheres function as a blowing agent. The foam preferably has at least 10% by weight expandable micro spheres which encapsulate a non-halogenated hydrocarbon chemical or a non-halogenated hydrocarbon chemical blend and less than 2% by weight of any non-encapsulated blowing agents.

Abstract: Hollow thermoexpandable particles or microspheres are provided that contain hydrocarbon blowing agents and have a shell polymer that can be softened at the onset of the expansion temperature and solidified at a higher temperature (thermoset) in an expanded state. Preferably, the microspheres have a shell of thermally expandable and thermally crosslinkable polymer and a hollow interior that contains a hydrocarbon liquid that boils at a temperature below the heat activated crosslinking temperature of the polymer shell. The crosslinking of the shell polymer during or after expansion, which is heat activated at an elevated temperature, can solidify the shell polymer and, then, maintain the expanded volume of the microspheres. The thermoexpandable thermoset polymer particles are useful in insulation, packaging, for making foam materials such as polyurethane or polyisocyanurate rigid foams.

Abstract: A polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate foam is made using expandable microspheres which encapsulate a primary blowing agent. By expanding during the foam making process, the microspheres function as a blowing agent. The foam preferably has at least 10% by weight expandable micro spheres which encapsulate a non-halogenated hydrocarbon chemical or a non-halogenated hydrocarbon chemical blend and less than 2% by weight of any non-encapsulated blowing agents.