01

What is spray polyurethane foam and why use it for thermal insulation?

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a thermal insulation system sprayed directly onto the substrate with dedicated mixing equipment. Two liquid components — polyol and isocyanate — react and expand in place to form a continuous, fully adhered insulation layer that seals corners and construction joints without mechanical fixings.

Krypton Chemical (Krypton Chemical, S.L.) has developed the Rayston Spray Foam range to cover lightweight open-cell grades, rigid water-blown grades (W range) and rigid grades with advanced blowing agents (HFO/HCFO range). This guide gives contractors, designers and consultants a practical engineering reference for comparing the grades and selecting the right system against the requirements stated in the technical datasheets (TDS).

Manufacturer website: kryptonchemical.com.

Knowledge base · Products · Documents.

02

How does a two-component spray system work?

In Rayston spray polyurethane foam systems, the two components are mixed at a set volume ratio (typically 100:100 by volume for the rigid grades covered here), with weight ratios that vary slightly by grade, and sprayed at a working pressure within the datasheet range. The result is insulation formed in place: it bonds to the substrate and limits the thermal bridging that hand-cut boards leave behind.

What changes from one grade to the next?

Blowing agent:

Water (W range), HFO/HCFO (HFO range), or the CO₂ generated by the reaction in 8W.

Cell structure:

Semi-rigid open-cell (8W) versus rigid foam with a higher closed-cell content (especially the HFO grades).

Applied density, thermal conductivity λ and water vapour diffusion resistance μ.

Additional declared use:

Acoustic insulation for 8W, and higher compressive requirements for 50W and HFO 50, as stated in the official technical datasheets.

03

Open-cell vs closed-cell spray foam: cell structure compared

Open-cell — Rayston Spray Foam 8W

Rayston Spray Foam 8W is a two-component system that produces a semi-rigid, open-cell polyurethane foam. Its only blowing agent is the CO₂ generated by the reaction between the two components (ODP = 0 according to the official technical datasheets). Applied density reaches 8–10 kg/m³ depending on thickness and workmanship; free-rise laboratory density is about 8 kg/m³ at 25 °C.

Properties recorded in the official technical datasheets:

Closed-cell / rigid grades — W and HFO ranges

Grades 30W / 40W / 50W and HFO 35 / HFO 40 / HFO 50 are rigid spray-applied polyurethane foam systems. The HFO range declares a closed-cell content of > 90%. For the W range, the datasheet tables list closed-cell content as < 80% (30W and 40W) and < 70% (50W).

Declared use common to the rigid grades: spray-applied thermal insulation on surfaces not subject to permanent loads, such as vertical walls and ceilings from the inside. On façades it repels water while still allowing the construction to breathe to some degree.

04

Blowing agents: water-blown (W range) vs HFO technology (HFO range)

W range — water-blown

The 30W, 40W and 50W grades use water as the main blowing agent. The technical description confirms that the formulation is free of ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases (no HFC, HCFC or VOC according to the official technical datasheets). The range keeps a stable thermal conductivity (λ) from installation throughout the life of the product, and the foam is 100% mechanically recyclable, with no need to capture gases for recycling or disposal.

HFO range — blowing agent technology (HFO / HCFO)

  • HFO 35 and HFO 40: blown with HFO (trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene).
  • HFO 50: the gas held in its cells is 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-propene (HCFO-1233zd(E)), and the formulation contains no HCFC or HFC.

From a design point of view, the HFO range achieves a lower declared thermal conductivity (λ = 0.028 W/m·K for HFO 35/40; the HFO 50 property table declares 0.021 W/m·K, with an ageing table starting at 0.028), a closed-cell content above 90% and a higher water vapour diffusion resistance factor (μ ≥ 80).

05

Rayston spray polyurethane foam grades compared (datasheet values only)

Published

8W

Rayston Spray Foam 8W

Structure / blowing: Open / reaction CO₂
Applied density (kg/m³): 8–10
Declared λ (W/m·K): 0.038
Closed cells: CCC1 / open ≈95%
μ: 4.6
Reaction to fire: Euroclass F

TDS notes: Sound insulation 40–44 dB; VOC Class A

Published

30W

Rayston Spray Foam 30W

Structure / blowing: Rigid / water
Applied density (kg/m³): 28–35
Declared λ (W/m·K): 0.031
Closed cells: < 80%
μ: ≥ 60
Reaction to fire: Class E

TDS notes: Mix ratio 100:100 vol / 100:108 wt

Published

40W

Rayston Spray Foam 40W

Structure / blowing: Rigid / water
Applied density (kg/m³): 38–42
Declared λ (W/m·K): 0.031
Closed cells: < 80%
μ: ≥ 70
Reaction to fire: Class E

TDS notes: Mix ratio 100:100 vol / 100:108 wt

Published

50W

Rayston Spray Foam 50W

Structure / blowing: Rigid / water
Applied density (kg/m³): 48–56
Declared λ (W/m·K): 0.030
Closed cells: < 70%
μ: ≥ 70
Reaction to fire: Class E

TDS notes: Compressive strength 280 / ≥200 kPa; CS (10/Y)200

Published

HFO 35

Rayston Spray Foam HFO 35

Structure / blowing: Rigid / HFO
Applied density (kg/m³): 30–40
Declared λ (W/m·K): 0.028
Closed cells: > 90%
μ: ≥ 80
Reaction to fire: Class E

TDS notes: Ratio 100:100 vol / 100:110 wt

Published

HFO 40

Rayston Spray Foam HFO 40

Structure / blowing: Rigid / HFO
Applied density (kg/m³): 42–47
Declared λ (W/m·K): 0.028
Closed cells: > 90%
μ: ≥ 80
Reaction to fire: Class E

TDS notes: Ratio 100:100 vol / 100:110 wt

Published

HFO 50

Rayston Spray Foam HFO 50

Structure / blowing: Rigid / HCFO-1233zd(E)
Applied density (kg/m³): 48–55
Declared λ (W/m·K): 0.021 (properties); ageing table 0.028→0.025
Closed cells: > 90%
μ: MU80 in designation code
Reaction to fire: Class E

TDS notes: For use where a compressive strength > 200 kPa is required

Short-term water absorption for the rigid grades that declare it: ≤ 0.2 kg/m².

The values above summarise the common comparison fields only; see each grade’s technical datasheet for full details.

Grade Trade name Structure / blowing Applied density (kg/m³) Declared λ (W/m·K) Closed cells μ Reaction to fire TDS notes
8W Rayston Spray Foam 8W Open / reaction CO₂ 8–10 0.038 CCC1 / open ≈95% 4.6 Euroclass F Sound insulation 40–44 dB; VOC Class A
30W Rayston Spray Foam 30W Rigid / water 28–35 0.031 < 80% ≥ 60 Class E Mix ratio 100:100 vol / 100:108 wt
40W Rayston Spray Foam 40W Rigid / water 38–42 0.031 < 80% ≥ 70 Class E Mix ratio 100:100 vol / 100:108 wt
50W Rayston Spray Foam 50W Rigid / water 48–56 0.030 < 70% ≥ 70 Class E Compressive strength 280 / ≥200 kPa; CS (10/Y)200
HFO 35 Rayston Spray Foam HFO 35 Rigid / HFO 30–40 0.028 > 90% ≥ 80 Class E Ratio 100:100 vol / 100:110 wt
HFO 40 Rayston Spray Foam HFO 40 Rigid / HFO 42–47 0.028 > 90% ≥ 80 Class E Ratio 100:100 vol / 100:110 wt
HFO 50 Rayston Spray Foam HFO 50 Rigid / HCFO-1233zd(E) 48–55 0.021 (properties); ageing table 0.028→0.025 > 90% MU80 in designation code Class E For use where a compressive strength > 200 kPa is required

06

How to read lambda (λ) and R-values from the datasheet

The technical datasheets (TDS) for the rigid grades include detailed performance tables that link applied thickness (mm) to:

  • the aged thermal conductivity λ in W/(m·K);
  • the resulting thermal resistance R in m²·K/W.

0.038

λ · 8W

0.031

λ · 30W / 40W

0.030

λ · 50W

0.028

λ · HFO 35 / HFO 40

Indicative comparison at 50 mm thickness (from the TDS performance tables):

  • 8W: λ = 0.038 gives R ≈ 1.28.
  • 30W / 40W: λ = 0.031 gives R ≈ 1.60.
  • 50W: λ = 0.030 gives R ≈ 1.70.
  • HFO 35 / HFO 40: λ = 0.028 gives R ≈ 1.80.
  • HFO 50: the ageing table gives λ = 0.028 and R ≈ 1.80 at 50 mm (while the initial, non-aged properties declare λ = 0.021 W/m·K).
8W
R ≈ 1.28
30W / 40W
R ≈ 1.60
50W
R ≈ 1.70
HFO 35 / HFO 40
R ≈ 1.80
HFO 50
R ≈ 1.80

R increases in proportion to thickness, and for some HFO grades the aged λ falls at greater thicknesses (HFO 40, for example, reaches 0.026 W/m·K in the higher thickness bands). Base the project’s thermal calculations on the target-thickness row of each product’s own performance table.

07

Which spray polyurethane foam grade for interior walls and ceilings?

The common wording in the rigid-grade datasheets states that the product is intended for spray-applied thermal insulation on surfaces not subject to permanent loads, such as vertical walls and interior ceilings. 8W explicitly extends this to interior thermal and acoustic insulation of roofs, lofts, walls of all types, lightweight structures and hangars.

How to choose a grade for an interior surface

1

Declared acoustic requirement + very low density: start with 8W and the sound insulation figures in its datasheet.

2

Rigid, water-blown thermal insulation at medium density: 30W (28–35 kg/m³) or 40W (38–42 kg/m³).

3

Higher density within the W range, with declared compressive strength: 50W.

4

Closed cells > 90% and declared λ 0.028: HFO 35 or HFO 40, depending on the density range required.

5

Density 48–55 kg/m³ with a stated compressive strength > 200 kPa: HFO 50.

This table does not replace a thermal calculation for the building; select thickness and R-value from the performance tables in each datasheet to meet the design requirement.

08

When to choose a higher-density or compression-rated spray foam

50W: applied density 48–56 kg/m³, stated compressive strength 280 with a limit of ≥ 200 kPa, and a designation code that includes CS (10/Y)200.

HFO 50: applied density 48–55 kg/m³; according to the technical datasheets it is suitable for applications that require a compressive strength greater than 200 kPa.

The lighter grades (8W, then 30W) show no comparable compressive values in their datasheets.

Permanent loads: the rigid-grade datasheets state that these grades are not intended for applications under permanent load. Any use outside this scope requires an engineering decision and a review of the relevant documents — beyond the scope of this general article.

09

Common site conditions for applying spray polyurethane foam

The following conditions recur in the rigid-grade datasheets (W and HFO), with minor differences:

Component temperature

30–60 °CHFO 50: 25–45 °C

Working pressure

60–120 barAll grades

Ambient temperature

0 to 40 °CAll grades

Relative air humidity

< 90%All grades

Wind speed

< 30 km/hAll grades

Substrate temperature

5–40 °C50W: 0–40 °C

Substrate moisture

No surface condensationAll grades

Mix ratio by volume

100:100Common to this range

Mix ratio by weight

100:108 (30W/40W) · 100:107 (50W) · 100:110 (HFO)Varies by grade

Condition Typical TDS value (rigid grades) Variations
Component temperature 30–60 °C HFO 50: 25–45 °C
Working pressure 60–120 bar All grades
Ambient temperature 0 to 40 °C All grades
Relative air humidity < 90% All grades
Wind speed < 30 km/h All grades
Substrate temperature 5–40 °C 50W: 0–40 °C
Substrate moisture No surface condensation All grades
Mix ratio by volume 100:100 Common to this range
Mix ratio by weight 100:108 (30W/40W) · 100:107 (50W) · 100:110 (HFO) Varies by grade

8W is processed with dedicated spray equipment; declared laboratory times: cream time 3–4 s, rise time 5–7 s.

10

Safety, storage and equipment cleaning

Occupational safety

Component B of the rigid grades contains isocyanates. Follow the safety data sheet (MSDS): good ventilation and/or respiratory protection (organic vapour + particulate filters) with protective clothing. These products are for industrial and professional use only and are not suitable for DIY.

Storage

  • Rigid grades: store components between 10 and 25 °C, protected from moisture; maximum shelf life 6 months from manufacture in the original packaging under suitable conditions.
  • 8W: store dry, above 0 °C and protected from moisture; shelf life 6 months in sealed drums; once partly used, reseal tightly and use promptly.

Equipment cleaning

A plasticiser-based cleaning fluid such as Rayston Fluid is recommended; using solvents to clean machine parts is discouraged. Remove component B from any parts exposed to air and replace it with cleaning fluid to avoid contaminating the next system.

Environment and empty containers

Treat empty containers as hazardous waste and hand them over to a licensed waste manager. A and B can be mixed 1/1 to obtain an inert material, in quantities not exceeding 5 litres, to avoid a dangerous build-up of heat.

11

Spray polyurethane foam FAQ

An insulation system formed on site by spraying two components that react to create a continuous polyurethane foam on the substrate — here, the Rayston Spray Foam product family from Krypton Chemical.

No. Applied density ranges from 8–10 kg/m³ for 8W to about 48–56 kg/m³ for 50W and 48–55 kg/m³ for HFO 50, with intermediate grades in between according to the datasheets.

All three are rigid and water-blown. They differ mainly in applied density (28–35 / 38–42 / 48–56), λ (0.031 / 0.031 / 0.030), μ (≥60 / ≥70 / ≥70) and declared closed-cell content; of the three, only 50W declares a numerical compressive strength.

When the project needs the properties of the HFO range as stated in the datasheets: HFO/HCFO blowing agent, closed cells > 90%, a lower declared λ (0.028 or 0.021 depending on the grade) and a higher μ (≥ 80).

The rigid-grade datasheets specify application on surfaces not subject to permanent loads (typically vertical walls and interior ceilings). Do not extend this to structural uses that are not stated.

No. The rigid-grade datasheets state that the product is for industrial/professional use and is not suitable for DIY.

Class E for the rigid grades listed (for all thicknesses, according to the technical datasheets). 8W states Euroclass F to EN 13501-1:2007.

In each grade’s technical datasheet (performance tables). This article summarises the comparison and does not replace the full table for the grade you select.

12

Grades — spray polyurethane foam articles by grade

8W

Rayston Spray Foam 8W
Published Spray foam 8W

30W

Rayston Spray Foam 30W
Published Spray foam 30W

40W

Rayston Spray Foam 40W
Published Spray foam 40W

50W

Rayston Spray Foam 50W
Published Spray foam 50W

HFO 35

Rayston Spray Foam HFO 35
Published Spray foam HFO 35

HFO 40

Rayston Spray Foam HFO 40
Published Spray foam HFO 40

HFO 50

Rayston Spray Foam HFO 50
Published Spray foam HFO 50

13

Engineering summary

Rayston spray polyurethane foam from Krypton Chemical covers a clear range: from a lightweight open-cell foam with declared acoustic performance (8W), to rigid water-blown grades (30W–50W), to HFO grades with a high closed-cell content and lower declared thermal conductivity (HFO 35 / 40 / 50). The right choice starts with the application question (thermal / acoustic / density / declared compressive strength) and is then confirmed with datasheet figures, not marketing generalisations.

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