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8631873 
Journal Article 
Methylene Chloride Urethane Grade As a Viable Auxiliary Blowing Agent In Flexible Slabstock Foam 
Sayad, RS; Williams, KW 
1979 
Yes 
Journal of Cellular Plastics
ISSN: 0021-955X
EISSN: 1530-7999 
15 
1 
32-38 
English 
Methylene chloride is a viable alternate auxiliary blowing agent for production of flexible slabstock urethane foam. Today more than 70% of flexible slabstock urethane foam requires less than ten parts of an auxiliary blowing agent. Conversion of this portion of the foam market from fluorocarbon 11 1 to methylene chloride is accelerating since only minimal formulation changes are necessary at these levels. For blowing agent levels above ten parts, formulation changes involving silicone and catalysts are necessary; but, acceptable slab foams can be made efficiently and safely. The recently conducted long-term exposure study, as well as other health studies, substantiate claims that methylene chloride is not a carcinogen. Worker exposure is generally not a problem; however, it is recognized that if the OSHA (TWA) standard were reduced from 500 ppm to 200 ppm, such a move may place a burden on the foamer to add additional ventilation. If this happens, the use of industrial hygiene surveys can help the foamer to determine areas where a problem may exist and lead to procedures which will reduce these exposures to acceptable levels. With the technology available today, cost savings can be realized using methylene chloride, which can be handled safely and in an environmentally acceptable fashion with readily available technology. These facts along with foamer commitment, point to methylene chloride as a viable auxiliary blowing agent in flexible slabstock urethane foams. © 1979, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.