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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Citizen Chemist => Topic started by: Yoritomo on December 09, 2018, 05:09:59 PM

Title: Removing polyurethane foam
Post by: Yoritomo on December 09, 2018, 05:09:59 PM

Hello!

    How do I dissolve polyurethane foam (insulation spray)?

     I mean dissolving the cured (solid) foam.

     Thank you!
            -Kostas.

Title: Re: Removing polyurethane foam
Post by: Enthalpy on December 11, 2018, 01:26:37 PM

Hi Kostas,

Foams are destroyed more quickly than plain polymers, but by the same compounds, so what you need is the compatibility of polyurethane (search keywords). Examples:
https://www.spilltech.com/wcsstore/SpillTechUSCatalogAssetStore/Attachment/documents/ccg/POLYURETHANE.pdf
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/polyurethane-chemical-resistance-d_1878.html
http://cdn.norgren.com/pdf/Chem%20Resis%20Man.pdf
https://www.hooverferguson.com/media/wysiwyg/docs/reference/Polyethylene-Compatibility-Guide.pdf?direct=true
essentially, PU is degraded by acids, bases, oxidisers, ketones, alcohols and many more. Acetone would be my first candidate, but this depends also on the materials you want to keep.

Please be careful with explosive or toxic vapours, etc etc.