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Provide the most suitable sealant adhesives for your market.
If you have been using PU foam, you already know the many benefits of this superior adhesive and insulator. One of the most frequent questions that people have is whether PU is reusable. Can you reuse an opened can of PU foam? And is polyurethane foam recyclable? The answer to these questions will save you money and help you become more sustainable.
In this article, we are using our expertise as a PU foam manufacturer to explain the reusability of this material. In more detail, you will learn how to best store and reuse your opened PU foam cans. Furthermore, you will learn more about the recycling of this material.
How to Store PU Foam Cans Before Opening
The first step to keep your PU foam cans ready for use and protect the material inside is to learn how to safely store them. This piece of information becomes even more important if you are planning on getting numerous cans at the same time. Therefore, make sure that you follow all the rules that we include here so that you always have reusable PU foam of the highest quality.
One of the most important rules for storing your PU foam cans is that you should always keep them in an upright position. When the cans are on their side, the material might clog the valve, which will affect the application of polyurethane foam on the surface you need. In this instance, your can will be useless and you will waste the remaining product.
Another important rule that you must follow for your safety is to keep your PU foam cans in a storage space that is cool and dry. If polyurethane foam is exposed to heat, then there is always the risk that it will explode, a thing that might be potentially dangerous. Moreover, a humid environment will turn the cans rusty, which will affect their reusability.
Can PU Foam Cans Be Reused?
The truth is that storing your PU foam cans is essential to reusing them. In the section above, we have explained in full detail how to store your cans correctly even before their opening. Apart from that though, you also need to know what to do once your open your cans. There are cases where you don’t need to use a whole can of PU foam. In these instances, you want to know what to do to keep the PU foam from expanding and hardening so that you can reuse it later.
If your PU foam manufacturer has taken care to create reusable cans of polyurethane foam, then you can store them with the gun extrusion tube or the adapter attached. Nevertheless, the most important step is to thoroughly clean them from any foam residues that will clog the can and render it useless. In addition to this, you should also make sure to clean the attachments with a PU foam cleaner. This way, you can be ready to use it whenever you next need it.
The next important thing to keep your PU foam cans reusable is to follow the storage rules that we have already been through. In essence, make sure that the cans are in an upright position and that the environment you keep them is cool and dry.
What Is the Durability of PU Foam?
Apart from the reusability of the PU foam can, many people are interested in the sustainability of the material. This matter includes how long polyurethane foam takes to degrade and whether it is recyclable or not.
One of the main advantages of PU foam is its extreme durability, especially when compared to other materials. This means that despite the wear and tear, this material will maintain its performance even after a long time. Namely, polyurethane foam can last more than 50 years when it’s used for the insulation of a building.
By storing and reusing your PU foam correctly, you can take advantage of this material’s durability for your projects. This practically means that the polyurethane foam will remain fully functional for as long as you need it.
Does PU Foam Degrade Over Time?
The next important question that affects the reusability and recyclability of PU foam is how much it degrades over time. The answer to this question is very hopeful as it shows that this material is extremely reusable.
One of the main uses of PU foam is sound, heat, and water insulation. This means that the material is specifically developed to be resistant to these elements. Therefore, PU foam can be exposed to humidity, water, and heat in its environment without getting degraded over time.
The only thing that really affects polyurethane foam is UV light. When the material is exposed to direct sunlight, ultraviolet radiation starts creating an oxidation reaction. This has some visible effects, such as the foam turning yellow and the thickness of the foam decreasing. However, if you take all preventative measures, you can avoid this unwanted degradation.
Is PU Foam Recyclable?
Having answered the most important questions about the reusability of PU foam, there is only one left about the material’s recyclability. The good news is that polyurethane foam is indeed recyclable, which makes it a sustainable option.
Right now, PU foam can be reused for the production of a wide range of items, intended for everyday use. For example, it is used in transportation since it retains its efficient insulation properties while being lightweight. Moreover, it is used as a stuffing for insulating panels and partitions, or as plaster in new construction sites. Finally, PU foam can also be reused to produce mattresses, carpets, shoe soles, and even clothes.
The Bottom Line
As you may have already understood from the above, PU foam is reusable. As a conscious PU foam manufacturer, we are offering you everything you need to clean and reuse your PU foam cans. Our PU foam cleaners will keep your gun extrusion tube and adapter clean from any foam that might harden and destroy them. This way, you can keep on using your cans multiple times.
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We sincerely invite all interested companies to contact us for more information.
We also provide OEM/private label and ODM service upon designed requirements and samples.
