Are the insulation materials PIR and polyurethane the same type of material?
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May I ask if the PIR insulation material we usually talk about is the same as polyurethane? If not, is there any difference between them?
It’s not a material. PIR – short for Polyisocyanurate Foam. In Chinese, it is called “聚异三聚氰酸酯”. It is also known as “polyisocyanurate”. Additionally, it can be referred to as “Polyisocyanurate Foam PIR” or “Polyisocyanurate PIR”. PIR is a foamed material produced by the reaction of isocyanates with polyethers under catalytic action, and it possesses superior physical and fire-resistant properties compared to ordinary polyurethanes. It is an ideal organic low-temperature insulating material, featuring a low thermal conductivity, light weight, shock resistance, and strong adaptability. It is widely used for insulation in refineries, chemical plants, ethylene production facilities, fertilizer plants, cold storage units, and the construction industry.
It’s different; the components vary slightly. PIR is polyisocyanurate, while PUR is polyurethane. PIR contains more black coloring agents and has the property of self-extinguishing when separated from a flame; PUR is slightly less effective in terms of fire resistance
These two are not the same type of material; polyisocyanurate (PIR) has better performance than polyurethane (PUR). PIR can be used in temperatures ranging from -196°C to 120°C, while polyurethane can only be used in temperatures ranging from -80°C to 100°C. Additionally, PIR is much more expensive than PUR!