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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Materials and Nanochemistry forum => Topic started by: AspenKincaid on August 16, 2018, 01:50:06 AM

Title: XPS insulation foam and xylene Byproduct
Post by: AspenKincaid on August 16, 2018, 01:50:06 AM

Hello,

I am an artist who works with Industrial Materials. Please pardon my ignorance in regards to terminology.

I have a specific interest in the process of recycling XPS insulation foam by dissolution into solvents. Specifically into Xylene.

My question is if there is a byproduct emitted when the reaction takes place?

Title: Re: XPS insulation foam and xylene Byproduct
Post by: Enthalpy on August 16, 2018, 05:14:18 AM

Welcome, AspenKincaid!

When you dissolve the foam, the gas that expanded it is released. I understand that XPS has closed cells, so the original gas is still there.

At least two families of gas are used, one being a fluorocarbon and possibly chlorofluorocarbon. It shouldn't make you sick, but it's a greenhouse gas and also an ozone layer destroyer. And if it gets in a flame, some of the new compounds are unhealthy.

Well, I suppose nearly all extruded polystyrene foam ends up releasing its gas in the atmosphere, whether in your workshop or elsewhere.

Title: Re: XPS insulation foam and xylene Byproduct
Post by: AspenKincaid on August 17, 2018, 02:43:26 PM

Thank You very much for your reply