Methods for designing polyisocyanurate foam-forming compositions, related polyisocyanurate foam-forming compositions, and foams produced thereby

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for designing a polyisocyanurate foam-forming composition with good low temperature insulation performance. The methods include: (a) measuring the LTTR of a first polyisocyanurate faced foam laminate prepared from a first polyisocyanurate foam-forming composition comprising a blowing agent composition, wherein the LTTR is measured at a plurality of temperatures to identify a calculated inflection point temperature below which defines a first mathematical correlation between temperature and the LTTR of the first polyisocyanurate faced foam laminate and above which defines a second mathematical correlation between temperature and the LTTR of the first polyisocyanurate faced foam laminate; (b) identifying a plurality of predicted mathematical correlations between temperature and the LTTR of the first polyisocyanurate faced foam laminate at a plurality of reduced inflection point temperatures below the calculated inflection point temperature; and (c) using the plurality of predicted mathematical correlations identified in step (b) to design a second polyisocyanurate foam-forming composition that comprises a blowing agent composition and produces a second polyisocyanurate faced foam laminate that has a LTTR satisfying a threshold value at all mean insulation temperatures within a temperature range of 10° F. to 75° F. (−12.2° C. to 23.9° C.).