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Tripolymer FAQs
What is Tripolymer?
Tripolymer foam insulation is a hybrid belonging to one of the oldest groups of synthetically produced thermosetting plastics. Phenolics, as they are referred to, were first synthesized in 1907 in the form of Bakelite. Today, phenolic plastics are well- known for their durability, structural integrity, and extraordinary fire resistance. Phenolic plastics are used in electronics, automobiles, machine parts, fire-proof coatings, adhesives, tools, and thousands of other commercial and household items. When made into foam insulation, phenolics are one of the safest and most efficient thermal and acoustical insulation products available.
Is Tripolymer Foam a Urea-Formaldehyde Product?
No. Tripolymer is a unique phenolic-based product, and a patented, proprietary product of C.P. Chemical Company, Inc.
Does Tripolymer contain any CFC's?
No. Tripolymer does not contain or use any chlorofluorocarbons in the manufacturing or foaming process.
Where can Tripolymer foam be used?
Tripolymer is the best choice for new and existing residential home insulation. Practically any void that requires insulation can be filled with Tripolymer. It is ideal for use in interior & exterior wood and steel stud walls, CMU block cores, pre-cast concrete panels, pipe chases, filling property line voids between high-rise buildings, and more.
Can Tripolymer be used to insulate and reduce sound transmission in steel or wood stud drywall construction?
Yes. Tripolymer is installed in over 15 million square feet of wood and steel stud drywall annually, providing customers with the safest, highest quality thermal and acoustical foam insulation available.
When can Tripolymer be installed in new CMU walls?
Any time during or after construction has been completed! By using the top-fill method or via the more common side fill pressure injection system, Tripolymer will completely fill all empty cores and joints in new CMU walls.
Can Tripolymer be used to insulate CMU block wall systems?
Yes. Tripolymer has been used for over 34 years as core fill insulation in all types of CMU construction.
Can Tripolymer be used to reduce noise through walls and ceilings?
Yes. Tripolymer has an STC rating of 53 in a standard wood frame 2 by 4 walls with a single layer of gypsum board on either side.
Does Tripolymer foam expand after it is installed?
No. Unlike polyurethane which expands anywhere from 20 to 100 times its original liquid volume, Tripolymer is totally expanded once it leaves the installation equipment. No further expansion occurs after it has been installed.
Will Tripolymer drain out if a hole is knocked in a wall?
No. Unlike cellulose and other products, Tripolymer solidifies within 30 seconds after it has been installed and becomes an integral part of the wall system.
Can Tripolymer be used to insulate the void between block and brick veneer?
Yes. Tripolymer can be installed in 10 to 15 foot lifts as the application of veneer progresses. The void should be kept as clear as possible from excess mortar and construction debris, and a 1" minimum void is required for the efficient flow of the Tripolymer foam into all joints and corners.
Does Tripolymer foam emit any toxic gasses during installation or when subjected to high temperatures?
No. When tested in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, Tripolymer's by-products of combustion are significantly less toxic than those produced by the burning of white pine... a common wood used extensively in residential home construction. When tested for hazardous materials as listed in the EPA's Emergency Planning Community Right to Know Act under sections 311 & 312, test results show no toxic materials were detected, and combined aldehyde were again undetected at a level of 0.0007%.
Is Tripolymer foam fire resistant?
Yes. Most architects and engineers agree that it requires more than one specific type of test to determine the fire characteristics of an insulation product. The ASTM E-84 tunnel test, although an excellent method for testing surface burning characteristics of a product, does not necessarily give an overall picture of how that product will act under different fire conditions. Tripolymer foam has been subjected to all applicable fire tests in redundancy in order to obtain the most accurate profile possible, and has performed in every case with astounding results.
Can Tripolymer improve the fire ratings of a wall system and ceilings?
Yes! For over 34 years, C.P. Chemical Company has engaged some of the most reputable independent laboratories in the country to test our Tripolymer product. Using the ASTM E-119 procedure, fire tests were performed on many different standard and custom wall designs. Two identical walls were constructed - one empty, the other filled with Tripolymer foam. In every test, the Tripolymer filled wall showed an increase of fire ratings from 50 to 150 percent! Tripolymer does not melt or vaporize like other foam insulation materials when subjected to the ASTM E-119 testing. Because of its unparalleled fire resistance, Tripolymer has been approved by many state and local building and fire departments as the only foam-in-place insulation product to be used to increase fire ratings on existing non-compliant wall systems.
Is Tripolymer corrosive?
No. Unlike urea formaldehyde type foams that rely on strong mineral acids for setting and final curing, Tripolymer is polymerized by using synthetic cross linking compounds, producing a self neutralizing, non-corrosive foam product.
Is Tripolymer more efficient than other types of CMU wall insulation?
Independent reports and laboratory testing show that when installed in 6, 8, 10, and 12 inch CMU block with an aggregated density of 60 to 145 pounds per cubic foot, Tripolymer has a superior 'R' value when compared to pour-in and insert type products.
How does Tripolymer compare in cost to other types of CMU insulation?
Tripolymer is generally less costly to install than loose-fill, foam inserts, rigid board, and is very competitive with urea formaldehyde type products.
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