FOAMS FOR REFRIGERATION APPLICATIONS

Rigid polyurethanes have been used in the manufacture of household appliances for three decades. Their use has helped turn refrigerator manufacture into a major world activity, allowing completely new approaches to design and production. This paper reviews the polyurethane properties that have enabled the domestic refrigeration industry to grow and describes current manufacturing and assembly techniques. Issues such as CFC phase-out, and the manufacturing implications, are discussed, along with likely trends for the future. It shows that for the polyurethanes industry to be an effective supplier to the refrigeration industry, it must continue to provide strong support over the next few years.