Acoustic, Packing, and Conventional Foam

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Name:

Flexible urethane foam, slabstock, densified, bonded

Chemical Type:

Polyether and/or Polyester-based Urethane Polymer

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Since urethane foam is a polymeric solid, physical characteristics such as boiling point, vapor pressure, vapor density, percent volatile, evaporation rate, etc. are not applicable.

DENSITY:

  • 0.5 - 15.0 lb/ft³

APPEARANCE:

  • Cellular material
  • Can be any color or multi-color

IGNITION POINT:

  • 600 - 650°F

AUTOIGNITION POINT:

  • 750 - 800°F

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

OSHA CLASSIFICATION:

Combustible solid

NFPA SPRINKLER CLASSIFICATION:

Upholstery with plastic foams extra hazard

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:

Water Carbon Dioxide, Dry chemical

FIRE FIGHTING PROTECTION:

Fire fighters must be equipped with NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus and turnout gear.

UNUSUAL FIRE HAZARDS:

Once ignited, can produce rapid flames spread, intense heat, dense smoke, and toxic gases. Can turn into burning liquid, which can drip and flow.

Piles of polyurethane dust can be readily ignited and present a potential fire hazard. High concentrations of polyurethane dust in the air can be a potential explosion hazard if exposed to flame, sparks, or other ignition sources.

REACTIVITY:

Stable; hazardous polymerization will not occur.

OTHER SOURCES OF TOXIC FUMES:

Hot wire cutting, heat sealing, hot stamping, and flame laminating operations may produce toxic fumes.

HEALTH HAZARDS

THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE:

  • None established

ACUTE ORAL LD 50:

  • Greater than 5,000 mg/kg (rat)

OSHA PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE:

  • None established

ACUTE DERMAL LD 50 LIMIT:

  • No available data

ACUTE INHALATION LC 50:

  • No available data

PRIMARY SKIN IRRITANT

  • Not known to be an irritant

PRIMARY ROUTE OF ENTRY:

  • Foam dust - inhalation

EYE IRRITATION:

  • Dust can cause irritation

INHALATION:

  • Animal studies indicate that chronic overexposure to dusts may cause inflammation of the lungs, fibrosis, and airway obstruction.

SAFE HANDLING

  • Store buns, sheets, and fabricated items indoors under fusible sprinkler protections.
  • Allow a minimum of six feet clearance between tops of foam stacks and sprinkler heads.
  • Do not smoke or use naked lights, open flames, exposed electrical heating elements, or other ignition sources near stored flexible foam.
  • Store buns and sheets with adequate aisleways to permit access to all storage areas.
  • Never use flexible polyurethane foam as an exposed interior wall or ceiling finish.
  • Foam can be mildly abrasive. Wear long sleeves if arms are repeatedly rubbed when handling foam.
  • Do not allow cuttings or foam scrap to accumulate.
  • Be aware that terms like “fire retardant” and “flame resistant” sometimes used to describe flammability properties, do not mean fire safety under all conditions. Further, small scale fire tests are NOT INTENDED TO REFLECT HAZARDS PRESENTED BY THESE OR ANY OTHER MATERIALS UNDER ACTUAL FIRE CONDITIONS.
  • When fabricating flexible polyurethane foam, always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

GOOD WORK PRACTICES

VENTILATION:

Use adequate mechanical ventilation when hot-wire cutting, heat sealing, hot stamping, and flame laminating flexible urethane foam. Also use ventilation in operations that will generate large quantities of foam dust such as continuous sawing, fabrication, or buffing operations.

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Unless exposure to foam dust is anticipated, goggles, gloves, and dust masks are not required. Wear long sleeves if arms are repeatedly rubbed when handling foam.

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES

SKIN:

None necessary

EYES:

Flush thoroughly with water

INGESTION:

None necessary

INHALATION (of dust):

Call physician if coughing, discomfort, or air passage obstruction occurs

DISCLAIMER

The information contained herein is, to the best of our knowledge and belief, accurate. However, since the conditions of handling and use are beyond our control, we make no guarantee of results and assume no liability for damages incurred by the use of this material. All materials may present unknown health hazards and should be used with caution. Although certain hazards are described herein, we cannot guarantee that these are the only hazards that exist. Final determination of suitability of this material is the sole responsibility of the user. No representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or any other nature are made hereafter with respects to the information contained herein or the material to which the information refers. It is the responsibility of the user to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.