Abstract: The present invention provides structural insulated panels which may afford protection from blast and ballistics events. The inventive structural insulated panel comprises a metal sheet, a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam and a polycarbonate sheet, film or laminate. Due to the materials of their construction, the inventive panels are light weight and a plurality of such panels may be quickly and easily assembled into sturdy, insulated, temporary or permanent shelters for protection in a variety of situations and environments.

Abstract: The present invention provides structural insulated panels which may afford protection from blast and ballistics events. The inventive structural insulated panel comprises a metal sheet, a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam and a polycarbonate sheet, film or laminate. Due to the materials of their construction, the inventive panels are light weight and a plurality of such panels may be quickly and easily assembled into sturdy, insulated, temporary or permanent shelters for protection in a variety of situations and environments.

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: Clear, amine-initiated polyether polyols are made by epoxidizing an amine in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst. By reducing the amount of catalyst used during the polyol synthesis and by adding the catalyst after between 5 and 30% of the total amount of at least one alkylene oxide has been added, after lactic acid neutralization, gives a short chain polyol that has foam processing characteristics similar to the conventional sulfuric acid neutralized polyol. The polyols produced in this manner are particularly useful for the production of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: Rigid foams are made by reacting a polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive composition which includes at least one isocyanate-reactive compound, preferably, an amine-initiated polyol and more preferably, an amine-initiated polyether polyol and a second, different polyol in the presence of a blowing agent composition which includes water and a catalyst composition which includes two different blowing catalysts, preferably, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and bis(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ether.

Abstract: Rigid foams are made by reacting a polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive composition which includes at least one isocyanate-reactive compound, preferably, an amine-initiated polyol and more preferably, an amine-initiated polyether polyol and a second, different polyol in the presence of a blowing agent composition which includes water and a catalyst composition which includes two different blowing catalysts, preferably, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and bis(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ether.

Abstract: Clear, amine-initiated polyether polyols are made by epoxidizing an amine in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst. By reducing the amount of catalyst used during the polyol synthesis and by adding the catalyst after between 5 and 30% of the total amount of at least one alkylene oxide has been added, after lactic acid neutralization, gives a short chain polyol that has foam processing characteristics similar to the conventional sulfuric acid neutralized polyol. The polyols produced in this manner are particularly useful for the production of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams.

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.