What Is Spray Foam Insulation Made Of?

Any time we consider buying something, we do some research. Some people do more research than others. No matter how much research you conduct before making a purchase, we can all agree that there are some things we should know before we spend money on something.

For homeowners thinking about insulating with spray foam, you may wonder what spray foam insulation is made out of. If you are going to live in your home, possibly surrounded by spray foam, you want to know if it's a product you can trust. You may not need to know the exact science behind the product, but you want to feel confident in your decision.

South Central Services has insulated hundreds of homes with spray foam insulation. We work with this product daily and know spray foam is safe and inert insulation when installed correctly. This article will share our expertise about spray foam insulation and what it is made of so you can feel confident in your insulation choice.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• How spray foam insulation is made
• What chemicals create spray foam insulation
• Why spray foam insulation is not hazardous

How Is Spray Foam Insulation Made?

You may have noticed the insulation aisle if you've taken a trip to Lowe's or the Home Depot recently. The insulation aisle has an abundance of insulation products. Bags and boxes and cans of insulation would have surrounded you. Even with all those choices, nowhere would you have found ready-made spray foam insulation among those materials.

Spray foam is different from other insulations because it's manufactured as it's installed. Other products are manufactured and then sold. When you purchase them, they are ready to install. Spray foam insulation is not manufactured until it is actually sprayed.

Two chemical components are brought together to create spray foam insulation. It's an exact science, more like baking than cooking. Precise amounts of these chemicals are heated and pressurized before they meet at the tip of a spray gun. When the chemicals meet, they undergo an exothermic chemical reaction.

Exothermic means that the reaction creates heat. When the chemicals react, they generate both products and byproducts. The product is spray foam insulation, and one of the byproducts is heat. After the heat has dissipated, the spray foam cures. The liquid chemicals used to create the foam are replaced by the product their reaction created.

What Chemicals Create Spray Foam Insulation?

The two chemicals that create spray foam insulation are isocyanate and polyol resin. Those are both long words, so they are colloquially known as A-Side and B-Side. If you ever visit a spray foam insulation contractor or peek inside their spray foam rig, you will probably see colorful 55-gallon drums.

In the image above, the isocyanate (or A-Side) is represented by the red barrel, while the polyol resin (or B-Side) is shown with a blue barrel. Spray foam insulation contractors do not create or find these chemicals themselves. Many companies manufacture spray foam insulation components, which are sold and shipped to contractors for installation.

What Is Isocyanate?

Isocyanates are chemicals composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. These highly reactive compounds allow them to bond with other chemicals, particularly those containing alcohol groups, to form a type of plastic called polyurethanes.

Polyurethanes are versatile materials that can range from flexible foams to rigid forms. Due to their reactivity, isocyanates are vital in manufacturing various products, including foams, elastomers, and coatings.

Isocyanates are raw chemicals and must be cautiously handled in their raw form. Inhalation or direct contact would be hazardous at high concentrations. Proper safety measures are essential when working with A-Side to prevent exposure-related risks. Component manufacturers assemble safety data sheets to share any dangers related to their raw components.

What Is Polyol Resin?

Polyol resin is a critical component in producing polyurethanes. Polyol resin is composed of molecules with multiple alcohol or hydroxyl groups attached to them. The term "polyol" comes from "poly" (meaning many) and "ol" (referring to alcohol).

When mixed with isocyanates, the alcohol groups in polyol react to create the polyurethane material. Polyurethanes can be soft and spongy, like the foam in cushions, or tough and rigid, like insulation panels.

Polyol resins come in various forms. The different properties of polyol determine the characteristics of the final polyurethane product, such as flexibility, rigidity, or temperature resistance. Polyol resins are widely used in manufacturing because they can create these unique characteristics. Mattresses, car seats, adhesives, and sealants are all manufactured with polyol resins.

Just like isocyanates, the safe handling of polyol resins is essential. Polyol resins can be reactive but are generally less hazardous than isocyanates. Any safety concerns for B-Side are available in manufacturer safety data sheets.

After the Chemical Reaction, What Is Spray Foam Made Of?

After the reaction, spray foam is its own product. The raw chemicals used to create the spray foam are used up in the chemical reaction. The finished product is a polyurethane plastic foam.

Polyurethane is a type of polymer, which means it's a large molecule made up of repeating units. Polyurethane is incredibly versatile and can be found in everyday items like furniture cushions, mattresses, car parts, coatings, and even footwear.

The polyurethane will have different properties depending on the unique blend of isocyanate and polyol resin. The chemical composition of A-Side and B-Side determines the final spray polyurethane foam product's hardness, density, and resilience. Contractors usually refer to the properties of spray foam by their cellular structure, described as open cell or closed cell.

The Bottom Line About What Spray Foam Insulation Is Made Of

Spray foam insulation is a unique material because it is manufactured during installation. No other insulation material is created while it's installed. Spray foam is created by the chemical reaction between two chemical components, isocyanate and polyol resin. These chemicals are more commonly known as A-Side and B-Side.

While these chemical components that create spray foam insulation come with hazards in their raw form, the finished product their reaction generates is a safe and inert insulation product. Specifically, spray foam is a polyurethane plastic.

If you are considering spray foam insulation, you can trust that the product installed by a competent contractor will offer premium performance.

Want to know more about spray foam insulation before making a decision? Read these next.

• Is Spray Foam Insulation Safe?
• Is Spray Foam Insulation Waterproof?
• Is Spray Foam Insulation Flammable?