The application of polyurethane sponge softener in building materials: a new environmentally friendly thermal insulation solution

Introduction

As the global climate change and the intensification of energy crisis, the construction industry has a growing demand for environmentally friendly and energy-saving materials. As a new environmentally friendly material, polyurethane sponge softener has gradually become a popular choice in the field of building insulation with its excellent insulation properties and environmentally friendly characteristics. This article will deeply explore the application of polyurethane sponge softener in building materials, analyze its product parameters, performance advantages and application cases in actual engineering, and provide a new environmentally friendly thermal insulation solution for the construction industry.

1. Overview of polyurethane sponge softener

1.1 Definition of polyurethane sponge softener

Polyurethane sponge softener is a soft and porous material made by special processes with polyurethane as the main raw material. Its unique molecular structure gives it excellent elasticity, sound absorption and thermal insulation properties, and is widely used in construction, furniture, automobiles and other fields.

1.2 Environmentally friendly properties of polyurethane sponge softener

Polyurethane sponge softener uses environmentally friendly raw materials during the production process, reducing environmental pollution. Its recyclability and degradability make it ideal for green building materials. In addition, polyurethane sponge softener will not release harmful gases during use, which meets the high requirements of modern buildings for indoor air quality.

2. Performance advantages of polyurethane sponge softener

2.1 Excellent thermal insulation performance

The porous structure of the polyurethane sponge softener makes it have an extremely low thermal conductivity, which can effectively prevent the transfer of heat. Its thermal insulation performance is better than traditional thermal insulation materials, such as glass wool, rock wool, etc. The following is the comparison of the thermal conductivity of polyurethane sponge softener and traditional insulation materials:

Material Name	Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)
Polyurethane sponge softener	0.022 – 0.028
Glass Wool	0.035 – 0.040
Rockwool	0.040 – 0.045

2.2 Good sound absorption performance

The porous structure of polyurethane sponge softener not only gives it excellent thermal insulation performance, but also gives it good sound absorption performance. Its sound absorption coefficient is as high as 0.8, which can effectively reduce noise pollution inside the building and improve living comfort.

2.3 Excellent elasticity and durability

Polyurethane sponge softener has excellent elasticity and can quickly return to its original state after being affected by external forces. Its durability is also excellent, and it can maintain stable performance during long-term use and extend the service life of the building.

2.4 Lightweight and high strength

Polyurethane sponge softener has a low density, usually between 20-50 kg/m³, but its strength is very high. This lightweight and high-strength characteristic gives it significant advantages in building insulation, which can reduce the load on the building structure and reduce construction difficulty.

III. Application of polyurethane sponge softener in building insulation

3.1 Exterior wall insulation system

Polyurethane sponge softener is increasingly widely used in exterior wall insulation systems. Its excellent insulation properties and lightweight and high-strength properties make it an ideal material for exterior wall insulation. The following are the main application methods of polyurethane sponge softener in exterior wall insulation systems:

External insulation system: paste the polyurethane sponge softener on the surface of the building’s exterior wall, and then cover the protective layer and decorative layer. This system can effectively improve the insulation performance of the building and reduce energy consumption.
Inner insulation system: Install polyurethane sponge softener on the surface of the building’s interior wall and then cover the decorative layer. This system is suitable for energy-saving transformation of existing buildings, with easy construction and little impact on the appearance of the building.

3.2 Roof insulation system

Polyurethane sponge softener is also widely used in roof insulation systems. Its lightweight and high-strength characteristics allow it to effectively reduce the load on the roof structure while providing excellent thermal insulation performance. The following are the main application methods of polyurethane sponge softener in roof insulation systems:

Flat Roof Insulation: Lay the polyurethane sponge softener on the surface of the flat roof, and then cover the waterproof layer and protective layer. This system can effectively improve the insulation performance of the roof and extend the service life of the roof.
Slope Roof Insulation: Install polyurethane sponge softener between the rafters of the slope roof and cover the decorative layer. This system can effectively improve the insulation performance of the sloped roof and improve living comfort.

3.3 Floor insulation system

The application of polyurethane sponge softener in floor insulation systems is also increasing. Its excellent insulation properties and elasticity make it an ideal material for floor insulation. The following are the main application methods of polyurethane sponge softener in floor insulation systems:

Floor Heating System: Lay polyurethane sponge softener on floor heating pipeUnder the road, cover the floor decorative layer. This system can effectively improve the insulation performance of the floor heating system and reduce heat loss.
Floor Sound Insulation System: Lay the polyurethane sponge softener under the floor and cover the floor decorative layer. This system can effectively reduce floor noise and improve living comfort.

IV. Product parameters of polyurethane sponge softener

4.1 Physical performance parameters

The following are typical physical performance parameters of polyurethane sponge softener:

parameter name	Value Range
Density	20 – 50 kg/m³
Thermal conductivity	0.022 – 0.028 W/m·K
Tension Strength	0.1 – 0.3 MPa
Compression Strength	0.05 – 0.15 MPa
Water absorption	< 5%
sound absorption coefficient	> 0.8

4.2 Chemical Properties Parameters

The following are typical chemical properties of polyurethane sponge softener:

parameter name	Value Range
Acidal and alkali resistance	Good
Solvent Resistance	Good
Aging resistance	Good
Environmental Performance	No harmful gas release

V. Application cases of polyurethane sponge softener

5.1 Exterior wall insulation system of a high-rise residential building

A high-rise residential project uses polyurethane sponge softener as exterior wall insulation material, with a construction area of 100,000 square meters. After the construction is completed, the thermal insulation of the buildingIt can significantly increase the indoor temperature by 3-5℃ in winter, reduce the indoor temperature by 2-4℃ in summer, and reduce energy consumption by more than 20%.

5.2 Roof insulation system of a commercial complex

A commercial complex project uses polyurethane sponge softener as roof insulation material, with a construction area of 50,000 square meters. After the construction is completed, the insulation performance of the roof is significantly improved, the indoor temperature is more stable, and energy consumption is reduced by more than 15%.

5.3 Floor insulation system for a villa

A villa project uses polyurethane sponge softener as floor insulation material, with a construction area of 1,000 square meters. After the construction is completed, the thermal insulation and sound insulation performance of the floor have been significantly improved, and the living comfort is greatly improved.

VI. Future development trends of polyurethane sponge softener

6.1 Further promotion of green and environmentally friendly materials

With the increase in environmental awareness, green environmentally friendly materials will become more and more widely used in the construction industry. As an environmentally friendly material, the market demand for polyurethane sponge softener will continue to grow. In the future, the production process of polyurethane sponge softener will be more environmentally friendly and the product performance will be further improved.

6.2 Research and development of multifunctional composite materials

In the future, polyurethane sponge softener will be combined with other functional materials to form a multifunctional composite material. For example, a polyurethane sponge softener is combined with a fire-resistant material to form an insulating material with fire-resistant function; a polyurethane sponge softener is combined with an antibacterial material to form an insulating material with an antibacterial function. This multifunctional composite material will further enhance the application value of polyurethane sponge softener.

6.3 Application of intelligent production technology

With the development of intelligent technology, the production of polyurethane sponge softener will be more intelligent. In the future, the production line of polyurethane sponge softener will adopt an intelligent control system to realize the automation and intelligence of the production process. This intelligent production technology will improve production efficiency, reduce production costs, and improve product quality.

Conclusion

As a new environmentally friendly material, polyurethane sponge softener has gradually become a popular choice in the field of building insulation due to its excellent insulation performance, environmental protection characteristics and wide application fields. This article introduces in detail the performance advantages, product parameters and application cases of polyurethane sponge softener, and provides a new environmentally friendly thermal insulation solution for the construction industry. In the future, with the further promotion of green and environmentally friendly materials, the research and development of multifunctional composite materials and the application of intelligent production technology, the application prospects of polyurethane sponge softener in the construction industry will be broader.