Abstract: Disclosed are methods of producing a graphical depiction of a predicted value of a property of a material. In accordance with the method, a processing unit generates a plot defining a geometric shape and comprising a plurality of points arranged in a matrix, each of the points defining a value for at least two variables and a predicted value of a property of the material. A visual representation of the predicted value of the property of the material for at least some of the plurality of points in a range of indicia is displayed on an output device. The range of indicia represents a range of predicted values of the property. A pointer on the visual representation is displayed on the output device.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing pre-fabricated insulated wall structures are described in this specification. The methods include (a) attaching a foam panel to a front frame surface of a substantially horizontally positioned frame; (b) placing the frame having the foam panel attached thereto on a track conveyor configured to convey the frame having the foam panel attached thereto in a substantially upright position; (c) conveying the frame having the foam panel attached thereto on the track conveyer in a substantially upright position to a spray foam application station; and (d) spray applying a spray foam composition into a cavity of the frame to form a substantially upright positioned wall structure having a foam layer deposited in the cavity in which the foam layer adheres to the foam panel. Also disclosed are track conveyors suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing pre-fabricated insulated wall structures are described in this specification. The methods include (a) attaching a foam panel to a front frame surface of a substantially horizontally positioned frame; (b) placing the frame having the foam panel attached thereto on a track conveyor configured to convey the frame having the foam panel attached thereto in a substantially upright position; (c) conveying the frame having the foam panel attached thereto on the track conveyer in a substantially upright position to a spray foam application station; and (d) spray applying a spray foam composition into a cavity of the frame to form a substantially upright positioned wall structure having a foam layer deposited in the cavity in which the foam layer adheres to the foam panel. Also disclosed are track conveyors suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyol compositions which can be used to produce dimensionally stable, low density water-blown rigid foams which have acceptable compressive strengths and acceptable k-factors. In one embodiment of the present invention, the polyol compositions are composed of at least one aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and at least one polyether polyol having a functionality greater than or equal to 2.5 in which at least 50% by weight of the polyol composition is aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and in which no more than 50% by weight of the polyol composition is polyether polyol having a functionality greater than or equal to 2.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a cellular composite, and to the resultant cellular composites. This process comprising (A) preparing a mixture of a polyisocyanate, water, and, optionally, one or more additives; (B) adding this mixture under low shear mixing to inorganic hollow microspheres; (C) completely filling a mold with the mixture; and (D) heating the mold containing the mixture to a temperature of from 100 to 280° C., thereby forming the composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to high performance RIM (reaction injection molded) poly(urethane)urea elastomers, and to a process for their production. These elastomers comprise the reaction product of an allophanate-modified diphenylmethane diisocyanate prepolymer having an NCO group content of about 5 to about 30%, with an isocyanate-reactive component comprising a high molecular weight amine-terminated polyether polyol, an aromatic diamine chain extender, and, optionally, a chain extender or crosslinker selected from the group consisting of aliphatic amine terminated polyether polyols and aliphatic hydroxyl terminated polyether polyols, optionally, in the presence of an internal mold release agent, a surfactant and a filler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyol compositions which can be used to produce dimensionally stable, low density water-blown rigid foams which have acceptable compressive strengths and acceptable k-factors. In one embodiment of the present invention, the polyol compositions are composed of at least one aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and at least one polyether polyol having a functionality greater than or equal to 2.5 in which at least 50% by weight of the polyol composition is aromatic amine-initiated polyether polyol and in which no more than 50% by weight of the polyol composition is polyether polyol having a functionality greater than or equal to 2.5.

Abstract: This invention relates to high performance RIM (reaction injection molded) poly(urethane)urea elastomers, and to a process for their production. These elastomers comprise the reaction product of an allophanate-modified diphenylmethane diisocyanate prepolymer having an NCO group content of about 5 to about 30%, with an isocyanate-reactive component comprising a high molecular weight amine-terminated polyether polyol, an aromatic diamine chain extender, and, optionally, a chain extender or crosslinker selected from the group consisting of aliphatic amine terminated polyether polyols and aliphatic hydroxyl terminated polyether polyols, optionally, in the presence of an internal mold release agent, a surfactant and a filler.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of an isotropic rigid foam comprising the step of reacting: (A) an organic polyisocyanate component selected from the group consisting of: (1) a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate) and (2) an NCO-terminated prepolymer, and comprising the reaction product of: (a) a polyester comprising the reaction product of (i) pure ortho-phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride and (ii) a glycol and (b) a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate); with (B) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising: (1) a liquid OH-terminated prepolymer having a viscosity of more than about 100,000 mPa·s at 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a cellular composite, and to the resultant cellular composites. This process comprising (A) preparing a mixture of a polyisocyanate, water, and, optionally, one or more additives; (B) adding this mixture under low shear mixing to inorganic hollow microspheres; (C) completely filling a mold with the mixture; and (D) heating the mold containing the mixture to a temperature of from 100 to 280° C., thereby forming the composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of an isotropic rigid foam comprising the step of reacting: (A) an organic polyisocyanate component selected from the group consisting of: (1) a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate) and (2) an NCO-terminated prepolymer, and comprising the reaction product of: (a) a polyester comprising the reaction product of (i) pure ortho-phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride and (ii) a glycol and (b) a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate); with (B) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising: (1) a liquid OH-terminated prepolymer having a viscosity of more than about 100,000 mPa.s at 25° C.

Abstract: A method for making an energy-absorbing foam having a density that is less than about 7 pcf that exhibits excellent strength properties and that is particularly suitable for automobile bumper applications. The invention is also directed to the energy-absorbing foam made with the method.

Abstract: A method for making an energy-absorbing foam with polyurethane fillers that produces an energy-absorbing foam with properties that are comparable to a foam made without fillers.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of polyurethane foam comprising the steps of (i) mixing at a reaction index of 40 to 400: (a) a polyisocyanate blend comprising at least one polyisocyanate and optionally, additives and fillers; (b) a polyol blend comprising isocyanate reactive components and optionally, water, additional blowing agents, catalysts, surfactants, fillers and other additives; wherein either or both said polyisocyanate blend or said polyol blend contain between 0.3 to about 20 wt. % CO.sub.2 based on the total weight of said polyisocyanate blend and said polyol blend; (ii) introducing and uniformly mixing in liquid form of CO.sub.2 as a blowing agent into either or both said polyisocyanate blend or said polyol blend and maintaining said CO.sub.2 in said liquid form. The present invention also relates to an apparatus, which performs the above-mentioned process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rigid, molded foam produced by reacting: a) one or more organic polyisocyanates, with b) a polyol blend comprising i) 100 parts by weight of a mixture comprising: 1) from 30 to 80 parts by weight of one or more polyethers having hydroxy functionalities of 2 or 3 and molecular weights of from about 1,000 to about 8,000, the polyethers further being characterized as containing no nitrogen atoms and not being filled polyethers, 2) from 10 to 50 parts by weight of one or more adducts of toluene diamine and an alkylene oxide, the adduct having a molecular weight of from about 350 to about 700, 3) from 0 to 15 parts by weight of one or more di- or trialkanol amines, with the amounts of components 1), 2) and 3) totaling 100 parts, and c) from about 0.1 to about 4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of component b) of a silicone cell-opening surfactant and d) from 1 to 7 parts by weight of water, and e) from 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing optionally reinforced rigid polyurethanes by the reaction, under resin transfer molding conditions at an isocyanate index of 90 to 130, of(a) an organic polyisocyanate, with(b) 15 to 80 percent by weight, based on the total of components (b), (c), and (d), of certain polyester polyols having long-chain fatty acid or fatty alcohol groups, a number average molecular weight of 500 to 3000, and a metal ion content below 100 ppm; and(c) 20 to 85 percent by weight, based on the total of components (b), (c), (d) and (e), of one or more crosslinkers, other than component (b), containing 3 to 8 hydroxyl groups and having a molecular weight of 92 to 1000 and a metal ion content below 100 ppm,(d) 0 to 60 percent by weight, based on the total of components (b), (c), and (d), of an isocyanate-reactive compound, other than a polyester polyol of component (b), having a metal ion content below 100 ppm, selected from (i) an isocyanate-reactive polyol containing 3 to 6 hydroxyl

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isocyanate reactive mixture comprising from about 17 to about 85% by weight of one or more non-filled polyether polyols having a hydroxyl functionality of from 1.5 to 3 and molecular weights of from 1,500 to 8,000; from about 12 to about 80% by weight of one or more non-tertiary amine containing polyether polyols having a hydroxyl functionality of from 3 to 8 and a molecular weight of from 150 to 1,000; from about 0 to about 4% by weight of one or more primary or secondary diamines or amino alcohols and from 3 to about 12% by weight of water. The invention is also directed to a water-blown, energy absorbing foams made from the isocyanate reactive mixture.