PUR/PIR Sandwich Panels Differences
The production of polyurethane rigid foam sandwich panels has become a fundamental tool for high performance building systems.
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Although the processability between PIR and PUR panels is similar but with certain differentiating nuances, such as processing temperatures, higher in the case of PIR panels, or the use of adhesives to improve the adhesion between the sheet and the foam, in the case of PIR panels, although more and more PUR panels producers are also using an adhesive in certain panels to guarantee the adhesion between the sheet and the foam, the field of application of PUR/ PIR sandwich panels is very similar, and they can be used for:
- External enclosure: facades and roofs.
- Compartmentalisation of interior spaces: fire sectors, partitions, food processing rooms, clean rooms, cold rooms, etc...
Advantages of PUR/PIR sandwich panels
The advantages of
- Thermal insulation: It is one of the thermal insulation products with the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient. It guarantees the absence of thermal bridges thanks to the homogeneity of the insulation at all points of the panel. The assembly also minimises thermal bridges thanks to the joints, normally tongue and groove, between panels. Reduced insulation thickness thanks to the low thermal conductivity coefficient of the polyurethane foam.
- Optimisation of usable space, since a minimum thickness is required to achieve a maximum thermal insulation level.
- Virtually no water absorption due to the closed cell structure of the polymer, which makes them waterproof.
- Mechanical properties that give the panels great rigidity and low weight, which facilitates and economises transport, handling, installation and structural sizing. Ease of machining and cutting.
- Reaction to fire performance which makes PUR/PIR sandwich panels fire safe.
- PUR/PIR sandwich panels are a prefabricated product, sustainable in their manufacture and very light for transport to the construction site. The construction of a building, both residential and industrial, with polyurethane sandwich panels generates very little waste which makes the building process more sustainable. It is recyclable: the metal sheet is melted and the polyurethane is recycled using three techniques; mechanical recycling, chemical recycling or incineration with energy recovery. The insulating capacity of polyurethane sandwich panels helps to reduce energy consumption.
The advantages of PUR / PIR sandwich panels is what makes these insulation panels even more attractive for health, safety and environment:
Properties of PUR/PIR sandwich panels
In terms of properties, the main difference between PUR/PIR sandwich panels lies in their composition. The foam obtained with PIR (Polyisocyanurate) systems contains a high degree of aromaticity due to the formation of the polyisocyanurate structure, providing a higher thermal stability compared to urethane (PUR) groups, thus improving its fire resistance.
The PIR foam reacts safely to fire by forming a carbonised surface layer that protects and prevents the penetration of fire into the inner layers. In the composition of PIR panels, as a general rule, there is a lower concentration of flame retardants than in PUR panels, thus generating less smoke during combustion. There are even PIR panels on the market that are free of halogen flame retardants.
Even so, the products must be tested to determine their fire behaviour with the reaction and fire resistance test methods according to current regulations depending on the location.
In terms of thermal properties, PIR remains stable in a higher temperature range than PUR.
Renewable and Recyclable Sourced Product Management
At Synthesia Technology we reaffirm our commitment to sustainability by promoting the circularity of materials and improving the environmental performance of our products, all to reduce our impact on the planet.
Since 2003, Synthesia Technology has been using BIO-based raw materials from renewable resources and recycled PET in the production of polyols, a key raw material used in the manufacture of high-performance core insulation sandwich panels with PIR technology, demonstrating that it is possible to use plastic responsibly, recycling it into a new product that helps to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, to the benefit of all.
Goto Xindian Construction to know more.
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Visit our website for the most important commercial references for PIR insulation systems for continuous lamination.
Differences Between PU and PIR Sandwich Panel
In the previous journal , Sandwich Panel itself and PU sandwich panel was explained. The
core of Sandwich Panel could be replaced by PIR (Polyisocyanurate). Even though both are
rigid foam with high thermal insulation properties, their physical properties and chemical
properties are different.
Chemical properties:
Rigid foam is formed by mixing four or more components in the metering machine or foam machine, main compensates of PU and PIR foam are Methylene Diphenyl Di-isocyanate (MDI,
commonly known as isocyanate or ISO) and POLY.
There are two types of polyol:
- Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
- Polyester Polyol.
In simple terms: when ISO is mixed with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), polyisocyanurate (PIR)
rigid foam is created as a chemical reaction and when Polyester Polyol is mixed with ISO,
polyurethane foam (PU). Of course, the presence of other components such blowing agent
and catalyst are very vital in order to have a perfect closed-cell rigid foam with effective
thermal insulation. Insulation is achieved by having almost 97% of the blowing agent gas
contained in the cells of the foam. Rigid foams are used to prevent energy loss and minimise
CO2 emissions applications that require thermic insulation.
Flame Resistance Properties:
One of the most major difference between PU and PIR rigid foam in sandwich panel is in the
flame resistance characteristic. PU foam is known for its limited fire resistibility, PU sandwich
panel is normally produced with B2 and B3 fire classification of building materials:
Class B: Combustible materials (such as textiles, furniture and other interior)
– Class B1: Flame Retardant
– Class B2: Normal Flammability
– Class B3: Easily Flammable (not usable in industrial Buildings)
On the other hand, PIR slows the spread of flames and reduces the smoke emitted from the
fire when compared to PU products. Generally, PIR sandwich panels have excellent fire
performance, reduced combustibility, and higher working temperature limits compared to
PU. PIR sandwich panels are produced with B1 fire classification of building materials. Indeed,
PIR sandwich panels pass compulsory fire tests without the addition of external flame
retardants.
Production Differences:
For production of PIR sandwich panel with sandwich panel production line, same poly as PU
sandwich panel cannot be used. The poly used in metering machine has to be specifically
manufactured for PIR foam. In the production of PIR sandwich panel, the proportion of MDI
is higher, and instead of polyols on ethers, a polyether polyol is used in the reaction. The
catalysts and additives used to produce PIR are also different from those used in PUR.
Furthermore, heating in double belt of sandwich panel production line will be higher in PIR
sandwich panel. Double belt in the production of PIR sandwich panel line will reach around
60 centigrade while for PU sandwich panel it will be around 40 centigrade.
In the production line of the sandwich panel, un-coiler, roll forming, double belt, cutting
machine for sandwich panel, stacking sandwich panel cooling system of sandwich panel and
packing of sandwich panel will be the same. Foaming machine will have an extra tank for the
poly and corona system is added to the PIR sandwich panel production line to increase
adhesive properties of the metal sheet.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Thermal Insulation Carved Metal Composite Sandwich Panels.
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