SPF Cryo
Heat-treated state
ASTM C1029 · EN 14315 · JIS A9526 · GB GB/T 26689
Cryo = 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.
Values for the Cryo condition
Other SPF grades and fills
SPF is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at SPF.
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 | — |
CryoThis page 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 Cryo?
SPF Cryo is SPF heat treated to Cryo — pick for −165 °C LNG tanks, cold boxes and cryogenic piping; glass- or milled-fiber reinforced to control thermal contraction cracking. SPF Cryo has a tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi), weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0012 Msi). SPF Cryo has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0016 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F). ccSPF-2.0 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Cryo is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0016 lb/in³), better than 90% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.02 W/m·K (0.0127 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
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades
SPF Cryo properties
Typical room-temperature values for SPF Cryo; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SPF reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
SPF Cryo has a density of 0.05 g/cm³ (0.0016 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 110°C (230 °F).
Mechanical9
SPF Cryo has a tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi), weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0012 Msi).
Thermal8
SPF Cryo is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 0.02 W/m·K (0.0127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 55 µm/m·K (30.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SPF Cryo has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 56% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SPF Cryo 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 Cryo's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 86% of polymer grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with SPF Cryo
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.
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.
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) | — |
SPF Cryo — frequently asked
What is SPF Cryo used for?
SPF Cryo 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 Cryo?
SPF Cryo has a typical tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi) — weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is SPF Cryo easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 86% 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 Cryo 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 Cryo?
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 Cryo 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 Cryo?
SPF Cryo 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).
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.