CHICAGO - Bayer Corp. introduced trouble-shooting software and two blowing agents for polyurethane parts manufacturers at the SPI Polyurethane Division meeting, held Sept. 26-29 in Chicago. Most of Bayer's year was consumed in developing blowing agents HFC-245fa and HFC-356mffm, said Bob H. King Jr., vice president of Bayer's technical insulation group.
The new lines offer manufacturers of continuous and discontinuous PU panels blowing agents that meet the 2003 deadline for eliminating hydrochloro-fluorocarbons, King said.
But the blowing agents won't be available commercially until the late 1990s, he said, as some development work remains. A Bayer study revealed that panels using the new blowing agents showed reduced foam firmness compared to the predecessor, HCFC-141b.
``The ability to increase dimensional stability, closed-cell content and foam flow by simply replacing HCFC with HFC-245fa and HFC-356mffm blowing agents is very encouraging,'' said Michael McGregor, a senior development chemist in Bayer's Polymers Division.
However, modifications to the alternative foam systems must be made to improve firmness since this physical property is crucial to the processing of construction panels.''
Bayer has contracted AlliedSignal Inc., which also produces selected Bayer blowing agents such as HCFC 141b, to manufacture the new line, King said.
``It fits into their chemistry much better,'' he said. ``They're a fluorine company.''
Besides the blowing agents, Bayer released its ``Foam Roadmap'' Windows-based trouble-shooting software program.
Developed by Bayer's Hennecke Machinery unit, the system provides PU parts manufacturers with the tools to help maintain equipment, monitor and adjust processing, and consistently produce high-quality parts, according to Bayer.
The software is divided into two databases that share information: ``Daymap,'' which gathers and processes information for operations and quality control; and ``Foam Roadmap,'' which offers process troubleshooting and maintenance information.
Hennecke Machinery also upgraded its Pentane Process Technology system with several new safety and environmental controls, making it more acceptable for the North American market, King said.
