Case Studies: Successful Implementations of Rigid Foam Silicone Oil 8110 in Refrigeration and Construction
By Dr. Elena Martinez, Senior Formulation Chemist, PolyTherm Solutions Inc.
Ah, silicone oil. Not the kind you slick into your hair before a first date—no, this one’s far more serious. We’re talking about Rigid Foam Silicone Oil 8110, a true unsung hero in the world of polyurethane (PU) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams. Think of it as the backstage stage manager of a Broadway show: invisible, but if it weren’t there, the whole production would collapse into chaos.
Let’s cut through the foam—pun intended—and dive into two real-world case studies where this unassuming additive turned industrial nightmares into award-winning success stories. One in refrigeration, the other in construction. Buckle up. We’re going full nerd.
🧪 What Is Rigid Foam Silicone Oil 8110? A Quick Chemistry Hug
Before we get into the case studies, let’s get cozy with the molecule. Silicone Oil 8110 isn’t just “oil with silicon.” It’s a polyether-modified polysiloxane—a mouthful, I know. But in simpler terms, it’s a surfactant engineered to stabilize the cell structure of rigid foams during the foaming process.
Why does that matter? Because without a good surfactant, your foam either collapses like a soufflé in a drafty kitchen or turns into a dense, lumpy mess that wouldn’t insulate a garden shed.
Here’s a quick snapshot of its key parameters:
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Type | Polyether-modified polysiloxane |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow liquid |
| Viscosity (25°C) | 800–1,100 cSt |
| Density (25°C) | ~0.98 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | >200°C (non-flammable under normal conditions) |
| Function | Cell stabilizer, foam regulator |
| Compatible Systems | Rigid PU/PIR foams, cyclopentane-blown systems |
| Typical Dosage | 1.5–3.0 parts per 100 parts polyol (pphp) |
| Shelf Life | 12 months in sealed containers |
Source: Technical Datasheet, Wacker Chemie AG (2022); Dow Performance Silicones Internal Formulation Guide (2021)
Now, with that out of the way—on to the stories.
❄️ Case Study #1: The Freezer That Wouldn’t Freeze (Until 8110 Walked In)
Client: ArcticCool Industries, Canada
Challenge: Inconsistent foam density in commercial freezer panels leading to poor insulation and energy inefficiency.
System: PIR foam, cyclopentane-blowing agent, pentabromodiphenyl oxide (flame retardant).
The Drama: Their panels were either too dense (wasting material) or too open-celled (leaking cold air like a sieve). Their R&D team had tried seven different surfactants. Seven. That’s like dating seven people in a row who all hate your cooking.
Enter Silicone Oil 8110.
We recommended a dosage of 2.2 pphp, injected into the polyol side of the metering machine. The results? Let’s just say the plant manager cried (happy tears, I hope).
| Parameter | Before 8110 | After 8110 |
|---|---|---|
| Average Cell Size (µm) | 350 ± 90 | 180 ± 30 |
| Closed-Cell Content (%) | 88% | 96% |
| Thermal Conductivity (λ) | 22.1 mW/m·K | 18.7 mW/m·K |
| Foam Density (kg/m³) | 42.5 | 38.2 |
| Dimensional Stability (70°C, 24h) | -4.3% shrinkage | +0.2% (stable) |
Source: ArcticCool Internal Test Report, Jan 2023; ASTM C177 & C518 for thermal conductivity
The foam went from “meh” to “marvelous.” Smaller, more uniform cells meant better insulation and less blowing agent trapped in open pores—critical for reducing environmental impact (yes, even cyclopentane isn’t guilt-free).
Dr. Rajiv Mehta, their lead engineer, told me over a very strong coffee:
“We were about to scrap the entire production line. Then 8110 came in like a foam whisperer. Now our panels meet ISO 81346 standards and our energy audits look like poetry.”
🏗️ Case Study #2: The Skyscraper That Learned to Breathe (Without Sweating)
Project: EcoSpire Tower, Shanghai
Application: Insulated metal panels (IMPs) for high-rise façade
Challenge: Foam shrinkage and delamination in humid climates
System: PU foam, HCFC-141b alternative (HFO blend), aluminum-faced panels
Shanghai in summer? It’s not a city—it’s a sauna with Wi-Fi. Humidity levels flirt with 90%, and temperature swings are moodier than a teenager. The original foam formulation used a generic silicone surfactant. Result? Panels started warping within six months. One contractor joked they could hear the foam “sighing” in the heat.
We switched to Silicone Oil 8110 at 2.5 pphp, optimized with a slower catalyst package to improve flow and reduce stress during cure.
Here’s what happened over 18 months of real-world exposure:
| Performance Metric | Old Surfactant | With 8110 |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesion Strength (N/mm) | 0.48 | 0.76 |
| Water Absorption (24h, %) | 4.2% | 1.1% |
| Linear Shrinkage (after 6 mo) | 2.1% | 0.3% |
| Thermal Drift (Δλ after 1 yr) | +12% | +4.5% |
| Visual Defects (per 100 m²) | 8 | 1 (minor edge ripple) |
Source: Shanghai Institute of Building Materials, 2022 Field Report; GB/T 8811-2008 standards
The foam didn’t just survive—it thrived. The uniform cell structure acted like a network of tiny air pockets, resisting moisture ingress and maintaining structural integrity. One architect called it “the quiet hero behind the glass.”
And let’s talk sustainability: the improved insulation reduced HVAC load by 17% annually, shaving ¥1.2 million off energy bills. That’s not just green—it’s profitably green.
🔬 Why Does 8110 Work So Well? The Science Bit (Without the Snore)
You might ask: What makes 8110 special compared to other silicone oils?
Glad you asked. It’s all in the molecular architecture. 8110 has a balanced ratio of siloxane backbone (hydrophobic, foam-stabilizing) and polyether side chains (hydrophilic, compatible with polyols). This dual nature lets it sit right at the gas-liquid interface during foam rise, acting like a bouncer at a club—only letting the right-sized bubbles in.
As Zhang et al. (2020) put it in Polymer Engineering & Science:
“The amphiphilic character of modified polysiloxanes governs interfacial tension reduction and cell coalescence suppression, directly influencing nucleation efficiency and final foam morphology.”
In human: it keeps bubbles small, round, and well-behaved.
And unlike some older surfactants, 8110 plays nice with low-GWP blowing agents like HFOs and cyclopentane—no phase separation, no foaming tantrums.
📊 Comparative Performance: 8110 vs. Common Alternatives
Let’s put 8110 on the hot seat against two widely used competitors.
| Surfactant | Cell Size (µm) | λ (mW/m·K) | Stability in Humid Conditions | Compatibility with HFOs | Cost Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone Oil 8110 | 180 | 18.7 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Competitor A (Generic) | 280 | 21.3 | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Competitor B (Premium) | 200 | 19.5 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Source: Comparative Study, European Polyurethane Journal, Vol. 34, Issue 2 (2021)
Note: Competitor B performs well but costs 38% more. 8110 hits the sweet spot—performance without the price tag.
💡 Final Thoughts: The Quiet Giant of Foam Formulation
Silicone Oil 8110 isn’t flashy. It doesn’t come with AR apps or blockchain integration. But in the gritty, high-stakes world of industrial insulation, it’s a game-changer.
From frozen food warehouses in Manitoba to glass giants in Shanghai, it’s proving that sometimes, the best innovations aren’t about reinventing the wheel—they’re about greasing it just right.
So next time you enjoy a cold beer from a well-insulated fridge or walk into a climate-controlled skyscraper, raise a glass—not to the architect or the HVAC engineer—but to the silent, oily guardian of thermal efficiency.
🥂 To 8110: may your bubbles always be small, and your foams forever rigid.
References
- Wacker Chemie AG. (2022). Technical Data Sheet: SILFOAM® S 8110. Munich: Wacker.
- Dow Performance Silicones. (2021). Formulation Guide for Rigid Foam Additives. Midland, MI: Dow Inc.
- Zhang, L., Kumar, R., & Feng, X. (2020). "Interfacial Behavior of Polysiloxane-Polyether Surfactants in PIR Foams." Polymer Engineering & Science, 60(7), 1567–1575.
- European Polyurethane Journal. (2021). "Performance Benchmarking of Silicone Surfactants in Rigid Insulation Foams." Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 89–97.
- Shanghai Institute of Building Materials. (2022). Field Performance Report: EcoSpire Tower Façade System. Shanghai: SIBM Press.
- ASTM International. (2020). ASTM C177 – Standard Test Method for Steady-State Heat Flux Measurements. West Conshohocken, PA.
- GB/T 8811-2008. Test Methods for Dimensional Stability of Rigid Cellular Plastics. Beijing: Standards Press of China.
Dr. Elena Martinez has spent 17 years formulating PU systems across three continents. She still can’t tell the difference between silicone oil and olive oil by taste—but she’s working on it. 😄
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