Composition suitable for production of rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition suitable for production of rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams, said composition comprising at least one isocyanate component, at least one polyol component, at least one foam stabilizer, at least one urethane and/or isocyanurate catalyst, optionally water and/or blowing agent, and optionally at least one flame retardant and/or further additives, which comprises at least two different varieties 1 and 2 of polyether siloxanes as foam stabilizers, and to the use of this composition for production of foamed polyurethane or polyisocyanurate materials, preferably rigid foams.

Claims

1. A composition suitable for production of rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams, comprising at least one isocyanate component, at least one isocyanate-reactive component, at least one foam stabilizer, at least one urethane and/or isocyanurate catalyst, optionally water and/or blowing agent, and optionally at least one flame retardant and/or further additives, wherein the composition comprises at least two different varieties of polyether siloxanes as foam stabilizers, wherein one polyether siloxane variety, hereinafter polyether siloxane variety 1, conforms to formula (I) ##STR00003## R.sup.1=independently alike or different hydrocarbon moieties of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, R.sup.2=independently R.sup.1, R.sup.3 or R.sup.4, wherein R.sup.3 is a polyether moieties of general formula (II),
R.sup.5O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.g[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.h[CHR.sup.6CHR.sup.7O].sub.iR.sup.8(II) wherein R.sup.5 is a divalent hydrocarbon moieties of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, which may be interrupted by oxygen atoms, preferably a moiety of general formula (IV)
CH.sub.2.sub.j(IV) where j=1 to 8, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are hydrocarbon moieties of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, which may be interrupted by oxygen atoms, or H, R.sup.8 are hydrocarbon moieties of 1 to 16 carbon atoms, which may be interrupted by urethane functions, C(O)NH, carbonyl functions or C(O)O, or H, R.sup.4 independently alike or different moieties of the general formula (IIIa) or (IIIb) ##STR00004## R.sup.9=a divalent organic moiety, which may optionally be interrupted by one or more oxygen functions or functions of the formula [SiR.sup.1.sub.2O].sub.kSiR.sup.1.sub.2 where k=1 to 10, and optionally possess OH functions, a is from 2 to 32, b is from 2 to 247, c is from 0.5 to 35, d is from 0 to 6, e is from 0 to 15, f is from 0 to 15, wherein N=a+b+c+d+e+f is from 5 to 250, g is from 4 to 25, h is from 0 to 10, i is 0, wherein the polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 1 are subject to the condition that g+h+i is >3 and that there is at least one R.sup.3 moiety whose molar weight comprises at least 90% by mass of [CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O] units, and one polyether siloxane variety, hereinafter polyether siloxane variety 2, conforms to formula (I) as defined for polyether siloxane variety 1, wherein in the case of polyether siloxane variety 2 a=2 to 32, b=2 to 297, c=0.3 to 30, d=0 to 6, e=0 to 15, f=0 to 15, wherein N=a+b+c+d+e+f is from 5 to 300, g is from 5 to 30, h is from 3 to 20, and i is 0, and polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 2 are subject to the condition that g+h+i is >3 and there is at least one R.sup.3 moiety whose molar weight comprises at most 50% by mass, by mass by mass of [CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O] units where as polyether siloxanes of the polyether siloxane variety 1 are present, in which R.sup.3 contains more than 70 mol % of the radicals R.sup.8H in the residues present, and where as polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 2 such are present at which in the residues R.sup.3 present are less than 30 mol % of the residues R.sup.8H, and wherein the mass ratio of polyether siloxanes of the polyether siloxane variety 1 to polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 2 in the composition of 0.1 to 1 to 1 to 0.1.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyether siloxanes present as polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 1 are those where above 100 mol % of the R.sup.8 moieties in the R.sup.3 moieties present are H.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyether siloxanes present as polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 2 are those where less than 10 mol %, of the R.sup.8 moieties in the R.sup.3 moieties present are H.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the mass fraction of polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane varieties 1 and 2 in the composition, based on 100 parts by mass of polyol component (pphp), is in the range from 0.05 to 10 pphp.

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the mass ratio of polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 1 to polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 2 in the composition is in the range from 0.2:1 to 1:0.2.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition contains exclusively polyether siloxanes that are encompassed by the definitions of polyether siloxane variety 1 or polyether siloxane variety 2.

7. The composition according to claim 1, obtainable by combining two or more separate components, where one of the components is the isocyanate-reactive component and one other component is the isocyanate component, in which case the isocyanate-reactive component is used as a mixture comprising all polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 1.

8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the isocyanate-reactive component is used as a mixture comprising all polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 1 or polyether siloxane variety 2.

9. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the isocyanate component is used as a mixture comprising all polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane variety 2.

10. The composition according to claim 1, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting methyl, ethyl, propyl and phenyl.

11. The composition according to claim 1, wherein R.sup.1 is methyl.

12. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the mass fraction of polyether siloxanes of polyether siloxane varieties 1 and 2 in the composition, based on 100 parts by mass of polyol component (pphp), is in the range from 0.1 to 3 pphp.

13. The composition according to claim 12, wherein j=3, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, phenyl or H, and R.sup.8 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, C(O)Me or H.

14. The composition according to claim 1, wherein a=2 to 15, b=3 to 150, c=1 to 22, d=0 to 4, e=0 to 10, f=0 to 10, wherein N=a+b+c+d+e+f=5 to 160.

15. The composition according to claim 1, wherein a=2, b=4 to 80, c=1.5 to 12, d=0, e=0, f=0, wherein N=a+b+c+d+e+f=8 to 80.

16. The composition according to claim 1, wherein polyether siloxane variety 2, conforms to formula (I) as defined for polyether siloxane variety 1, with the proviso that in the case of polyether siloxane variety 2 a=2 to 15, b=3 to 190, c=0.9 to 20, d=0 to 4, e=0 to 10, f=0 to 10, wherein N=a+b+c+d+e+f=8 to 200 and there is at least one R.sup.3 moiety whose molar weight comprises at most 60% by mass by mass of [CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O] units.

Description

(1) The present invention is more particularly elucidated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 without being limited thereto.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the exemplified model of a cavity.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a view of the longitudinal side of the exemplified model of a cavity.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view of the transverse side without the rear and front walls of the exemplified model of a cavity.

(5) The examples listed below illustrate the present invention by way of example, without any intention of restricting the invention, the scope of application of which is apparent from the entirety of the description and the claims, to the embodiments specified in the examples.

EXAMPLES

(6) The examples described hereinbelow use the (spray foam) formulations particularized in Table 2 to produce a foam having a density of 32 kg/m.sup.3:

(7) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Formulations used in the examples Component Parts by weight Polyol component Terol 305 Polyol (Huntsman) 50 parts Carpol MX 425 Polyol 20 parts (Carpenter) TCPP 15 parts Dimethylaminoethanol 3 parts Bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl)ether 1 part HFC-245fa 7 parts Water 2 parts Isocyanate component MDI Rubinate M (Huntsman) 100 parts

(8) Spray foam application utilizes a Graco Reactor E-20 spray foam apparatus and a Graco Fusion AP spray gun with an 01 nozzle. Processing temperature is at 43 C. Processing pressure is about 83 bar for the two components, which leads to a dynamic pressure of about 69 bar during the spraying process.

(9) The following method is used to measure the reduced clogging of the discharge nozzle of the spray foam apparatus in the application of spray foam:

(10) The spray gun is actuated for each time for two seconds, followed by a pause of two seconds. A wooden slab is sprayed from a constant distance of 40 cm, kept constant by a guide device, such that a foam track 18 cm in width and 5 cm in thickness is obtained in one pass. This is continued until the onset of congestion as evidenced by a reduction in the width of the discharged spray (spray width) to 15 cm.

(11) Testing is started with comparative samples by determining the number of spray and pause sequences before congestion becomes evident. The comparative samples each contain a foam stabilizer which is unitary and thus not in accordance with the present invention. This is followed by determining the number of spray-pause sequences in the same way with foam stabilizer combinations which are in accordance with the present invention.

(12) The following method is used to measure the flowability of the foaming mixture: A model of a cavity is constructed from OSB board as bottom and side walls. The cavity has the internal dimensions of 40 cm (width) by 120 cm (length) by 10 cm (height). Three holes are drilled through a longitudinal side at a regular separation from the wall and relative to each other, and three transparent plastics tubes are inserted therein in a close fit. The plastics tubes have an internal diameter of 2.5 cm and a length of 30 cm, the separation from the side walls and relative to each other is 30 cm in each case. The holes and/or tubes are fitted flush with the base of the cavity. These tubes were intended to represent joints within the hollow space to be filled, and the spray foam is intended to flow into them. The amount of spray foam flowing into the tubes is measured by measuring the length of the filled tubes, and permits conclusions to be drawn about the flowability of the foam. FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the construction of the model.

(13) The spray foam is introduced using, again, a Graco Reactor E-20 spray foam apparatus and a Graco Fusion AP spray gun with an 01 outlet nozzle. The foam is sprayed into the cavity in a thickness of 5 cm in a single pass such that the cavity is filled up from its bottom surface. The foam quantity penetrated into the tubes is determined by measuring the length of the filled tube. This is done by measuring from the point of inception of the tubes on the outer wall of the structure. The lengths of filling in the three tubes are used to determine the average length of filling in the three tubes.

(14) By way of comparative samples, foams are foamed in the hollow space using a unitary, hence non-inventive, foam stabilizer and the length of the filling in the plastics tubes is measured. The inventive polyether siloxane combinations to be assessed are then used to determine the change in the flowability of the foam in the same way. The observed change in the length of the filled piece of the plastics tube can be used to compute the percentage improvement in flow relative to the base system.

(15) The polyether siloxanes used in the examples are prepared as follows:

(16) The SiH-functional siloxanes to be used are prepared as in Example 1 of EP 1439200 from the corresponding siloxane raw materials by equilibration (To prepare siloxanes with terminal modification, it is correspondingly necessary to use a polymethylhydrosiloxane with terminal hydrogen functionality as raw material.). Raw material type and quantity is chosen such that the siloxane structure desired in each case is obtained.

(17) The allyl polyethers are prepared similarly to the method described in Example 1 of DE 19940797 although here allyl alcohol is used as starter and correspondingly ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

(18) The allyl-started polyethers used are etherified (endcapped) by reaction with methyl chloride according to the method described in DE 102005001076.

(19) The hydrosilylation reactions (of the SiH-functional siloxanes with the allyl polyethers) are carried out as described in Example 1 of EP 1 520 870 with the mixture, as necessary, of divinyltetramethyldisiloxane or 1,7-octadiene in the appropriate amounts.

Example 1: Reduction in Discharge Nozzle Clogging of Spray Foam Apparatus

(20) The following polyether siloxanes were used:

(21) Polyether siloxane A: hydrophilic, of structure M.sub.2D.sub.11D.sub.3

(22) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.12H

(23) Polyether siloxane B: hydrophobic, of the structure M.sub.2D.sub.70D.sub.7.5D.sub.0.5

(24) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.19[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.10Me; R.sup.9CH.sub.2CH.sub.2[Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2O].sub.1Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2

(25) A first experimental series of Example 1 has both the hydrophobic polyether siloxane B of the polyether siloxane combination present in the polyol component used as isocyanate reactive component, the hydrophilic polyether siloxane A is likewise present in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 2.

(26) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Weight Number of fraction of A Weight fraction spray passes in polyol of B in polyol before evidence Ex. component component of congestion 1.1 1.0 parts 0 parts 10 Not according to the invention (Standard) 1.2 0 parts 1.0 parts Foam defects Not according to the invention 1.3 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 23 Inventive 1.4 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 24 Inventive 1.5 1.5 parts 0 parts 8 Not according to the invention

(27) Comparative Example 1.1, featuring 1.0 part by weight of the hydrophilic polyether siloxane A in the polyol component is the standard and allows 10 spray passes before there is increasing clogging of the discharge nozzle. A 1.0 part by weight quantity of the hydrophobic polyether siloxane B in the polyol component (Example 1.2) fails to provide sufficient stabilization to the spray foam, leading to foam defects. A combination of 1.0 part by weight of A and 0.5 (Example 1.3) or, respectively, 1.0 (Example 1.4) part by weight of B in the polyol component, however, leads to a distinct increase in the number of spray passes possible before evidence for the onset of clogging. Yet a sole increase in the amount of A to 1.5 parts by weight (Example 1.5) does not give the desired result.

(28) A second experimental series of Example 1 has the hydrophobic polyether siloxane B of the polyether siloxane combination in the isocyanate component and the hydrophilic polyether siloxane A in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 3.

(29) The hydrophilic polyether siloxane has isocyanate-reactive groups and so is unsuitable for inclusion in the isocyanate component.

(30) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Weight fraction Number of spray Weight fraction of B in passes before of A in polyol isocyanate evidence of Ex. component component congestion 1.6 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 29 Inventive 1.7 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 31 Inventive

(31) The sole use of 1.0 part by weight of A in the polyol component (Example 1.1), as reported, results in 10 spray passes without signs of clogging. The additional inclusion in the isocyanate component of 0.5 (Example 1.6) or 1.0 (Example 1.7) part by weight of B leads to a distinct increase in the number of spray passes possible before any congestion occurs.

Example 2: Reduction in Discharge Nozzle Clogging of Spray Foam Apparatus

(32) The following additives were used:

(33) Polyether siloxane C: hydrophilic, of structure M.sub.2D.sub.30D.sub.8

(34) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; is 80 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.12H, 20 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.13[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.3H

(35) Polyether siloxane D: hydrophobic, of structure M.sub.2D.sub.32.5D.sub.5D.sub.0.5

(36) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; is 90 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.8[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.16C(O)CH.sub.3, is 10 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.24[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.4C(O)CH.sub.3; R.sup.9(CH.sub.2).sub.8

(37) A first experimental series of Example 2 has both the hydrophobic polyether siloxane D and the hydrophilic polyether siloxane C of the polyether siloxane combination in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 4.

(38) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Weight Number of spray Weight fraction fraction of passes before of C in polyol D in polyol evidence of Ex. component component congestion 2.1 1.0 parts 0 parts 12 Not according to the present invention (standard) 2.2 0 parts 1.0 parts Foam defects Not according to the invention 2.3 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 19 Inventive 2.4 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 20 Inventive 2.5 1.5 parts 0 parts 11 Not according to the invention

(39) Example 2.1 with 1.0 part by weight of the hydrophilic polyether siloxane C in the polyol component is the comparative example and gives 12 spray passes before there is increasing clogging of the discharge nozzle. A 1.0 part by weight quantity of the hydrophobic polyether siloxane D in the polyol component (Example 2.2) fails to provide sufficient stabilization to the spray foam, leading to foam defects. A combination of 1.0 part by weight of C and 0.5 (Example 2.3) or, respectively, 1.0 (Example 2.4) part by weight of D in the polyol component, however, leads to a distinct increase in the number of spray passes possible before evidence for the onset of clogging. Yet a sole increase in the amount of C to 1.5 parts by weight (Example 2.5) does not give the desired result.

(40) A second experimental series of Example 2 has the hydrophobic polyether siloxane D of the polyether siloxane combination in the isocyanate component and the hydrophilic polyether siloxane C in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 5. The hydrophilic polyether siloxane has isocyanate-reactive groups and so is unsuitable for inclusion in the isocyanate component.

(41) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Number of Weight fraction Weight fraction spray passes of C in polyol of D in isocyanate before evidence of Ex. component component congestion 2.6 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 26 Inventive 2.7 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 24 Inventive

(42) The sole use of 1.0 part by weight of C in the polyol component (Example 2.1), as reported, results in 12 spray passes without signs of clogging. The additional inclusion in the isocyanate component of 0.5 (Example 2.6) or 1.0 (Example 2.7) part by weight of D leads to a distinct increase in the number of spray passes possible before any clogging occurs.

Example 3: Improvement in Flow of Foaming Mixture

(43) The following polyether siloxanes were used:

(44) Polyether siloxane A: (Polyether siloxane variety 1) of the structure M.sub.2D.sub.11D.sub.3

(45) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.12H

(46) Polyether siloxane B: (Polyether siloxane variety 2) of the structure M.sub.2D.sub.70D.sub.7.5D.sub.0.5

(47) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.19[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.10Me; R.sup.9CH.sub.2CH.sub.2[Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2O].sub.1Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2

(48) A first experimental series of Example 3 has polyether siloxane B and polyether siloxane A of the polyether siloxane combination in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 6.

(49) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Flow improvement Weight Weight compared fraction of A fraction of B Average with in polyol in polyol foam standard Ex. component component flow (Exp. 3.1) 3.1 1.0 parts 0 parts 6.0 cm Not according to the present invention (Standard) 3.2 0 parts 1.0 parts Foam Not according defects to the invention 3.3 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 13.5 cm 125% Inventive 3.4 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 15.1 cm 152% Inventive 3.5 1.5 parts 0 parts 6.2 cm 3% Not according to the invention

(50) Example 3.1, featuring 1.0 part by weight of polyether siloxane A in the polyol component, is the comparative example and gives an average fill length for the tubes of 6.0 cm. A 1.0 part by weight quantity of the polyether siloxane B in the polyol component (Example 3.2) fails to provide sufficient stabilization to the spray foam, leading to foam defects. A combination of 1.0 part by weight of A and 0.5 (Example 3.3) or, respectively, 1.0 (Example 3.4) part by weight of B in the polyol component, gives a distinct enhancement of flow. Yet a sole increase in the amount of A to 1.5 parts by weight (Example 3.5) does not give the desired result.

(51) A second experimental series of Example 3 has the polyether siloxane B of the polyether siloxane combination in the isocyanate component and the polyether siloxane A in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 7. The polyether siloxane A has isocyanate-reactive groups and so is unsuitable for inclusion in the isocyanate component.

(52) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Flow Weight Weight improvement fraction of A fraction of B compared in polyol in polyol Average with standard Ex. component component foam flow (Exp. 3.1) 3.6 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 8.3 38% Inventive 3.7 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 8.5 42% Inventive

(53) The sole use of 1.0 part weight of A in the polyol component (Example 3.1) gives, as already stated, an average fill length for the tubes of 6.0 cm. The inclusion of an additional 0.5 (Example 3.6) or 1.0 (Example 3.7) part by weight of B in the isocyanate component results in a distinct enhancement of flow.

Example 4: Improvement in Flow of Foaming Mixture

(54) The following polyether siloxanes were used:

(55) Polyether siloxane C: Polyether siloxane variety 1 of the structure M.sub.2D.sub.30D.sub.8

(56) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; is 80 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.12H, is 20 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.13[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.3H

(57) Polyether siloxane D: Polyether siloxane variety 2 of the structure M.sub.2D.sub.32.5D.sub.5D.sub.0.5

(58) where R.sup.2R.sup.1CH.sub.3; is 90 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.8[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.16C(O)CH.sub.3, is 10 mol % R.sup.3(CH.sub.2).sub.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.24[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.4C(O)CH.sub.3; R.sup.9(CH.sub.2).sub.8

(59) A first experimental series of Example 4 has polyether siloxane D and polyether siloxane C of the polyether siloxane combination in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 8.

(60) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Flow improvement Weight Weight compared fraction of C fraction of D Average with in polyol in polyol foam standard Ex. component component flow (Exp. 4.1) 4.1 1.0 parts 0 parts 5.4 cm Not according to the present invention (standard) 4.2 0 parts 1.0 parts Foam Not according defects to the invention 4.3 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 11.1 106% Inventive 4.4 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 12.0 122% Inventive 4.5 1.5 parts 0 parts 5.9 9% Not according to the invention

(61) Example 4.1, featuring 1.0 part by weight of polyether siloxane C in the polyol component, is the comparative example and gives an average fill length for the tubes of 5.4 cm. A 1.0 part by weight quantity of the polyether siloxane D in the polyol component (Example 4.2) fails to provide sufficient stabilization to the spray foam, leading to foam defects. A combination of 1.0 part by weight of C and 0.5 (Example 4.3) or, respectively, 1.0 (Example 4.4) part by weight of D in the polyol component, gives a distinct enhancement of flow. Yet a sole increase in the amount of C to 1.5 parts by weight (Example 4.5) does not give the desired result.

(62) A second experimental series of Example 4 has the polyether siloxane D of the polyether siloxane combination in the isocyanate component and the polyether siloxane C in the polyol component. The results are summarized in Table 9. The polyether siloxane C has isocyanate-reactive groups and so is unsuitable for inclusion in the isocyanate component.

(63) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Flow improvement Weight Weight compared fraction of C fraction of D Average with in polyol in isocyanate foam standard Ex. component component flow (Exp. 4.1) 4.1 1.0 parts 0 parts 5.4 cm Not according to the present invention (standard) 4.6 1.0 parts 0.5 parts 7.5 39% Inventive 4.7 1.0 parts 1.0 parts 7.8 44% Inventive

(64) The sole use of 1.0 part by weight of C in the polyol component (Example 4.1) gives, as already stated, an average fill length for the tubes of 5.4 cm. The inclusion of an additional 0.5 (Example 4.6) or 1.0 (Example 4.7) part by weight of D in the isocyanate component results in a distinct enhancement of flow.