Use of a gas mixture selected from the group comprising: trifluoroiodomethane (CF.sub.3I) in concentrations from 85% to 99% by weight and a gas selected from the group comprising fluoroethane, pentafluoroiodoethane, pentafluoroethane, dimethyl ether, propylene or their mixtures in concentrations from 15% to 1% by weight as refrigerant, propellant, foaming and/or extinguishing gases as replacements or alternatives for other gases or HFC (hydrofluorocarbon), HFO (hydrofluoro-olefin) and HFE (hydrofluoroether) mixtures.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a foam body, such as a foam insulation board, comprising the steps of: (i) providing foam reactant materials which react to form a foam body; (ii) providing a blowing agent; (iii) expanding, during reaction of the foam reactant materials, the foam reactant materials, using the blowing agent so as to form a foam body having cells defined therein and within which cells blowing agent is trapped; and (iv) collecting blowing agent not trapped within the foam body. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a foam body. The collected blowing agent can be recycled/reused.

There is disclosed a phenol resin foam comprising a phenol resin, a hydrocarbon having 6 or less carbon atoms, and at least one halogenated hydroolefin selected from the group consisting of hydrofluoroolefins and hydrochlorofluoroolefins, and the phenol resin foam having the density of 10 kg/m.sup.3 or more and 150 kg/m.sup.3 or less, wherein the sum of the content of the hydrocarbon having 6 or less carbon atoms and the content of the hydrogenated hydroolefin is from 0.23 to 0.90 mol, the content of the hydrocarbon having 6 or less carbon atoms is from 0.03 to 0.85 mol, and the content of the halogenated hydroolefin is from 0.05 to 0.85 mol, per 22.410.sup.3 m.sup.3 of spatial volume in the phenol resin foam.

A method for producing a foam board laminate having low surface irregularities, the method comprising (i) preparing a continuous foam laminate; (ii) cutting the foam laminate to a desired length; (iii) placing the foam laminate of desired length into restriction to restrict further expansion of the foam laminate in the thickness of the foam laminate.

Disclosed herein are new types of foam insulation, and in particular, foam insulation for the exterior surfaces of residential, industrial, institutional or commercial buildings made using new silicone spray foam systems. These inventions relate to isocyanate-free foams used for thermal insulation, flame-retardancy and water resistance. The foams are prepared from silicone polymers with non-fluorinated blowing agents and can be used in the construction industry.