Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo
Heat-treated state
Cryo = cryogenic grade
Fine-cell, crack-resistant formulation (often 60–200 kg/m³) qualified for LNG tanks, cold boxes and cryogenic pipework.
Values for the Cryo condition
Other Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core grades and fills
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core.
Compare all 11 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PIR-32Default 32 kg/m³ insulation board core | Standard building/roof and wall sandwich-panel core; lowest λ and lowest cost per m², use where loads are low. | — | 0.22 | — | — |
FR | Choose for panels needing B-s1,d0 / ASTM E84 Class A performance in occupied buildings; higher isocyanurate index plus FR package. | — | 0.28 | 5 | — |
Spray / pour-in-place PIR | Two-component system foamed in the cavity of discontinuous panels, doors and tanks; slightly lower and more variable properties than laminated board. | — | 0.28 | 6 | — |
40 kg/m³ cold-store / cold-chain panel core | Most common continuous-laminated core density for cold-room and refrigerated-truck panels needing modest handling strength. | — | 0.3 | 6 | — |
Glass-fibre reinforced PIR | Chopped-glass or glass-mat reinforced foam for better dimensional stability, less shrinkage and higher shear strength in roof boards. | — | 0.35 | 4 | — |
48 kg/m³ structural sandwich core | Transport/marine and load-bearing wall panels where face-wrinkling and shear stiffness govern. | — | 0.4 | 5.5 | — |
60 kg/m³ high-load core | Trafficked roof decks, pipe supports and locally loaded panel zones (fastener and edge inserts). | — | 0.55 | 5 | — |
CryoThis page Cryogenic grade | Fine-cell, crack-resistant formulation (often 60–200 kg/m³) qualified for LNG tanks, cold boxes and cryogenic pipework. | — | 0.65 | 4.5 | — |
80 kg/m³ heavy-duty / pipe-support core | Cryogenic pipe shoes, load-bearing inserts and cold-box supports where compressive creep matters. | — | 0.85 | — | — |
100 kg/m³ high-density block | Machined blocks for insulated supports, tooling backup and heavily loaded panel edge fills. | — | 1 | — | — |
PIR-160/200 | Cryogenic tank saddles, LNG pipe shoes and thermal-break blocks carrying several MPa of bearing stress. | — | 3 | — | — |
What is Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo?
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo is Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core heat treated to Cryo — fine-cell, crack-resistant formulation (often 60–200 kg/m³) qualified for LNG tanks, cold boxes and cryogenic pipework. Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo has a tensile strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi), weaker than 97% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0023 Msi). Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo has a density of 0.07 g/cm³ (0.0025 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of composite grades. PIR-32 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Cryo is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.07 g/cm³ (0.0025 lb/in³), better than 91% of composite grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 90% of composite grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.015 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of composite grades
- Hard to polish — 5/100, worse than 99% of composite grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 15/100, worse than 98% of composite grades
- Low stiffness — 0.02 GPa (0.0023 Msi), worse than 97% of composite grades
- Limited service temperature — 110°C (230 °F), worse than 87% of composite grades
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo properties
Typical room-temperature values for Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical3
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo has a density of 0.07 g/cm³ (0.0025 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of composite grades.
Mechanical8
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo has a tensile strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi), weaker than 97% of composite grades. The elastic modulus is 0.02 GPa (0.0023 Msi).
Thermal8
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 0.03 W/m·K (0.015 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 60 µm/m·K (33.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo takes about 103 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 65% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 90% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo
Is Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core easy to machine?
Cuts easily with band saw, hot wire, knife or CNC router; use vacuum extraction for fine dust and sharp tools to avoid cell tear-out.
Can Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core be welded?
Not weldable — thermoset; join by structural adhesive bonding (PU/epoxy) or by foaming directly against the facers.
Can Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core be formed, bent or molded?
Made by continuous double-belt lamination between facers, in discontinuous press panels, or poured/sprayed in place; blocks are sawn and planed to size.
What surface finishes work on Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core?
Always protected by a facer (steel, aluminium foil, glass mat, GRP or plywood); exposed foam should be coated or membrane-covered against UV and moisture.
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| polymeric MDI (isocyanate, high index)isocyanate index typically 200–350 to form isocyanurate rings | 50 – 65 | 58 |
| aromatic polyester polyol | 25 – 35 | 30 |
| flame retardant (TCPP/TEP) | 2 – 8 | 5 |
| blowing agent (pentane / HFO)n-/iso-pentane or HFO-1233zd; cell gas gives low λ | 2 – 6 | 4 |
| trimerisation catalyst + silicone surfac | 1 – 4 | 3 |
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo — frequently asked
What is Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo used for?
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo is typically used for insulated metal building panels, refrigerated trailer panels and cold storage sandwich walls. In short: lowest thermal conductivity core; fire-improved PU alternative; standard building-panel core.
What is the tensile strength of Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo?
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo has a typical tensile strength of 0.65 MPa (0.0943 ksi) — weaker than 97% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 90% of composite grades). Cuts easily with band saw, hot wire, knife or CNC router; use vacuum extraction for fine dust and sharp tools to avoid cell tear-out.
Can Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo be welded?
Not weldable — thermoset; join by structural adhesive bonding (PU/epoxy) or by foaming directly against the facers.
What surface finishes work on Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo?
Always protected by a facer (steel, aluminium foil, glass mat, GRP or plywood); exposed foam should be coated or membrane-covered against UV and moisture.
Can Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo be formed, bent or molded?
Made by continuous double-belt lamination between facers, in discontinuous press panels, or poured/sprayed in place; blocks are sawn and planed to size.
What is the maximum service temperature of Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo?
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Foam Core Cryo is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F), and briefly to 140°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM C1289 Standard Specification for Faced Rigid Cellular Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation Board — ASTM International (2022)
- EN 13165 Thermal insulation products for buildings — Factory made rigid polyurethane foam (PU) products — CEN (2016)
- ASTM D1621 / D1623 / C273 — Compressive, tensile and shear properties of cellular plastics — ASTM International (2020)
- Rigid PIR insulation board and sandwich-panel core datasheets — Kingspan / Recticel / Huntsman (2023)
- Polyurethane Handbook / Sandwich construction core data — Hanser / ASM (1994)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.