Equipment Trouble Shooting (Foam)

This article features a selection of common foam equipment related problems along with the cause and solution. Make sure your equipment is operating correctly and you are getting the best quality and yield from your foam.

Problem – Incorrect Ratio – Lacking Isocyanate

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION
White spray and/or soft foam Restriction If high pressure on Isocyanate pressure gauge check between gun and console
  Starvation Check from console to material supply system
Alternate white bursts and/or soft foam Intermittent starvation Check pumps on Isocyanate side

Problem – Incorrect Ratio – Lacking Polyol

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION
Dark spray and/or brittle foam Restriction If high pressure on Polyol pressure gauge check between gun and console
  Starvation Check from console to material supply system
Alternate dark bursts and/or brittle foam Intermittent starvation Check pumps on Polyol side

Problem – Incorrect Temperature – Low temperature

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION
Stream of material not a spray and/or foam not fully expanded Incorrect setting Increase as necessary
  Electrical fault Troubleshoot electrically

Problem – Incorrect Temperature – High temperature

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION
Popcorn appearance on foam surface Incorrect setting Reduce as necessary
  Electrical fault Troubleshoot electrically

Problem – Incorrect Mixing – Low pressure

SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION
Large droplets, small spray pattern and/or Foam not fully expanded Incorrect setting Increase pressure at proportioning unit
  Starvation Check from console to material supply system
  Pump fault Repair as necessary