Rigid Foam Polyester Polyol XF-390 For Pentane Foaming

1. What it is

A pentane-compatible polyester polyol is:

• A low-viscosity, high-reactivity polyester polyol

• Formulated to dissolve and stabilize pentane

• Used mainly in rigid polyurethane (PUR) and PIR foams

Pentane is flammable, so the polyol must ensure:

• Good pentane solubility

• Stable foam rise

• Fine and uniform cell structure

2. Key characteristics

3. Why polyester polyol for pentane foaming?

Compared with polyether polyols, polyester polyols offer:

✔ Better pentane solubility
✔ Higher closed-cell content
✔ Improved dimensional stability
✔ Lower thermal conductivity (λ-value)
✔ Better compressive strength

This makes them ideal for insulation foams.

4. Typical applications

Pentane-foaming polyester polyols are widely used in:

• Refrigerator & freezer insulation

• Continuous panel / sandwich panel foams

• Insulated pipes

• Cold-storage panels

• Rigid PIR boards

5. Common pentane types used

• n-Pentane – lower cost, slightly higher λ-value

• iso-Pentane – better flowability

• Cyclopentane – best insulation performance, most common in appliances

Polyester polyols are often tailored to the specific pentane type.

6. Formulation considerations

When using pentane foaming polyester polyol:

• Use special surfactants (silicone stabilizers for pentane)

• Adjust catalyst balance (pentane slows reaction)

• Ensure explosion-proof equipment

• Control processing temperature (pentane volatility)

7. Typical product examples (industry)

• Aromatic polyester polyols for cyclopentane systems

• Low-viscosity polyester polyols for continuous panel foaming

• PIR-grade polyester polyols for high-temperature resistance

8. Parameters