Polyurethane Foam in Steam Service

[jonasinc]

What is the effect of steam on rigid polyurethane closed cell foam? At what steam temperature would the foam melt in the absence of oxygen? At what temperature would it burn if oxygen is present?

 

[btrueblood]

The melt and burn points can vary among formulations, however the base molecule suffers from hydrolysis at temperatures well below the boiling point of water (212 F, 100C).

 

[jonasinc]

What about for higher pressure steam at 350-400F?

 

[btrueblood]

High pressure steam is higher temperature steam; the urethane would just fail more quickly the hotter it got.