SPF
ASTM C1029 · EN 14315 · JIS A9526 · GB GB/T 26689
Two-component rigid or semi-rigid PU foam applied on-site via spray equipment that expands and cures in place; open-cell (low density, ~0.5 pcf) grades give air/sound sealing while closed-cell (~2 pcf) grades add structural R-value and moisture resistance.
Reference datasheet — SPF is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the ccSPF-2.0 condition
SPF grades and fills
SPF is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. ccSPF-2.0 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Open-cell light-density spray foam | Pick for low-cost interior cavity fill, air sealing and sound damping where no vapor control or strength is needed. | 0.03 | 12 | ||
Stress relieved | Pick where movement, vibration or acoustic damping matters (duct wrap, gap filling around moving joints, packaging). | 0.04 | 0.12 | 60 | 15 Shore A |
Single-component moisture-cure gun/canister foam | Pick for small-volume gap filling, window/door perimeters and penetration sealing where a spray rig is impractical. | 0.1 | 10 | ||
Flame-retardant formulation | Pick when code requires low flame spread/smoke or B1 rating on exposed insulation; higher TCPP/TEP load slightly raises density and cost. | 0.28 | 6 | ||
ccSPF-2.0Default Closed-cell medium-density spray foam | Default construction grade: insulation + air barrier + vapor retarder + racking stiffness in one pass. | 0.3 | 8 | ||
Low-GWP HFO-blown closed-cell system | Pick for current environmental/code compliance (HFC phase-down); same or slightly better aged R-value than HFC-245fa foam. | 0.3 | 8 | ||
Cryogenic spray/pour insulation grade | Pick for −165 °C LNG tanks, cold boxes and cryogenic piping; glass- or milled-fiber reinforced to control thermal contraction cracking. | 0.42 | 5 | ||
Closed-cell roofing grade | Pick for foot-traffic roof decks and tank/pipe exteriors under elastomeric coating, where compressive strength and moisture resistance dominate. | 0.45 | 7 | ||
high-density structural / geotechnical foam (64–160 kg/m³) | Pick for slab lifting/void filling, load-bearing insulation blocks and marine flotation where compressive load, not R-value, governs. | 0.75 | 6 |
What is SPF?
Two-component rigid or semi-rigid PU foam applied on-site via spray equipment that expands and cures in place; open-cell (low density, ~0.5 pcf) grades give air/sound sealing while closed-cell (~2 pcf) grades add structural R-value and moisture resistance. SPF has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F). SPF has a tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi), weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi).
What is SPF used for?
- building envelope thermal/air sealing
- roofing insulation
- cold storage and tank insulation
- void filling and structural reinforcement
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), better than 93% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.02 W/m·K (0.0139 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 5/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 15/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.5%, worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 89% of polymer grades
SPF properties
Typical room-temperature values for SPF-ccSPF-2.0; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
SPF has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0012 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical9
SPF has a tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi), weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal8
SPF is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 0.02 W/m·K (0.0139 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SPF has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SPF takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability5
SPF's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. SPF is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SPF
Is SPF easy to machine?
Trim excess with a serrated knife, hot wire or reciprocating rasp within a few days of application; sanding creates fine dust—use HEPA extraction and respirators.
Can SPF be welded?
Not weldable; join by adhering fresh foam to a clean, dry (<20% MC), primed substrate or bond skins with PU/epoxy adhesive.
Can SPF be formed, bent or molded?
Plural-component 1:1 by volume spray at 1000–1500 psi with A/B and hose at 40–50 °C; apply in ≤50 mm lifts on a 10–50 °C substrate and respect re-spray cooling times to avoid core scorch and off-ratio (sticky/friable) foam.
SPF 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, A-side)diphenylmethane diisocyanate oligomer, NCO ≈ 31% | 42 – 55 | 50 |
| flame retardant (TCPP / TEP)higher end for Class A / B1 formulations | 3 – 12 | 7 |
| blowing agent (HFO-1233zd, HFC-245fa or water-blown for open-cell grades | 1 – 8 | 5 |
| amine / metal catalystscontrols cream, gel and tack-free times | 0.5 – 3 | 2 |
| silicone surfactantcell nucleation and cell-size control | 0.5 – 2 | 1.2 |
| polyether/polyester polyol blendaromatic polyester or sucrose/amine-initiated polyether, B-side backbone | ≥ 28 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on SPF?
Always cover exposed foam: elastomeric acrylic/silicone/polyurea coating outdoors for UV, and an approved thermal/ignition barrier (12.7 mm gypsum or intumescent coating) indoors.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to SPF in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- C1029
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 14315
- GB (China)
- GB/T 26689
- JIS
- A9526
How much does SPF cost?
SPF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
SPF — frequently asked
What is SPF used for?
SPF is typically used for building envelope thermal/air sealing, roofing insulation, cold storage and tank insulation and void filling and structural reinforcement. In short: seamless field-applied air seal; highest R per inch on site; needs ignition barrier indoors.
What is the tensile strength of SPF?
SPF has a typical tensile strength of 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) — weaker than 94% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is SPF easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades). Trim excess with a serrated knife, hot wire or reciprocating rasp within a few days of application; sanding creates fine dust—use HEPA extraction and respirators.
Can SPF be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not weldable; join by adhering fresh foam to a clean, dry (<20% MC), primed substrate or bond skins with PU/epoxy adhesive.
What surface finishes work on SPF?
Always cover exposed foam: elastomeric acrylic/silicone/polyurea coating outdoors for UV, and an approved thermal/ignition barrier (12.7 mm gypsum or intumescent coating) indoors.
Can SPF be formed, bent or molded?
Plural-component 1:1 by volume spray at 1000–1500 psi with A/B and hose at 40–50 °C; apply in ≤50 mm lifts on a 10–50 °C substrate and respect re-spray cooling times to avoid core scorch and off-ratio (sticky/friable) foam.
What is the maximum service temperature of SPF?
SPF is rated for continuous use to about 90°C (194 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SPF ccSPF-2.0 and SPF SR?
ccSPF-2.0 is the default condition — default construction grade: insulation + air barrier + vapor retarder + racking stiffness in one pass. SR: pick where movement, vibration or acoustic damping matters (duct wrap, gap filling around moving joints, packaging).
How much does SPF cost?
SPF is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM C1029 — Spray-Applied Rigid Cellular Polyurethane Thermal Insulation — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM D1621 / D1623 / D2842 / D2126 — cellular plastics compressive, tensile, water absorption, dimensional stability — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM E84 — Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials — ASTM International (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook — Engineering Plastics (cellular polyurethanes) — ASM International (1988)
- Rigid closed-cell / open-cell spray foam system technical data (HFO and water-blown) — Covestro, BASF, Huntsman, Icynene-Lapolla (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.