Identification of low density polyurethane foam properties by DIC and the virtual fields method

An industrially manufactured recycled polyol, obtained by acidolysis process, was for the first time proved to be a possible replacement of the reference fossil-based polyol in a low-density formulation suitable for industrial production of flexible polyurethane foams. The influence of increasing recycled polyol amounts on the properties of the polyurethane foam has been studied, also performing foam emission tests to evaluate the environmental impact. Using 10 pbw recycled polyol in the standard formulation, significant differences of the physical properties were not observed, but increase of the recycled polyol amount to 30 pbw led to a dramatic decrease of the foam air flow and a very tight foam. To overcome this drawback, N,N′-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]urea was selected as tertiary amine catalyst, enabling the preservation of foam properties even at high recycled polyol level (30 pbw). Foam emission data demonstrated that this optimized foam formulation also led to an important reduction of volatile organic compounds. The results open the way for further optimization studies in low-density flexible polyurethane foam formulations, to increase the reutilization of the polyurethane waste and reduce the amount of petroleum-based raw materials.

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Properties of polyurethane foam with fourth-generation blowing agent

e-Polymers ◽

10.1515/epoly-2021-0081 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 763-769

Author(s):

Vladimir Yakushin ◽

Ugis Cabulis ◽

Velta Fridrihsone ◽

Sergey Kravchenko ◽

Romass Pauliks

Keyword(s):

Thermal Conductivity ◽

Polyurethane Foam ◽

Cellular Structure ◽

Fourth Generation ◽

Low Density ◽

Technological Parameters ◽

Blowing Agent ◽

Foam Properties ◽

Rise Direction ◽

Foam Production

Abstract Climate change makes it imperative to use materials with minimum global warming potential. The fourth-generation blowing agent HCFO-1233zd-E is one of them. The use of HCFO allows the production of polyurethane foam with low thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity, like other foam properties, depends not only on the density but also on the cellular structure of the foam. The cellular structure, in turn, depends on the technological parameters of foam production. A comparison of pouring and spray foams of the same low density has shown that the cellular structure of spray foam consists of cells with much less sizes than pouring foam. Due to the small size of cells, spray foam has a lower radiative constituent in the foam conductivity and, as a result, a lower overall thermal conductivity than pouring foam. The water absorption of spray foam, due to the fine cellular structure, also is lower than that of pouring foam. Pouring foam with bigger cells has higher compressive strength and modulus of elasticity in the foam rise direction. On the contrary, spray foam with a fine cellular structure has higher strength and modulus in the perpendicular direction. The effect of foam aging on thermal conductivity was also studied.

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A Study of the Influence of Polymer and Cell Structure on Polyurethane Foam Properties for Better Riding Comfort

Polyurethanes Expo 2001 ◽

10.1201/9780429332609-39 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 267-274

Author(s):

Masahiro Isobe ◽

Kazuto Usaka ◽

Hiroyuki Utsumi ◽

Kazuhiko Ohkubo

Keyword(s):

Polyurethane Foam ◽

Cell Structure ◽

Foam Properties

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Compression Testing of Aged Low Density Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series - Experimental and Applied Mechanics, Volume 4 ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-42028-8_17 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 145-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brian T. Werner ◽

Wei-Yang Lu ◽

Kevin Connelly

Keyword(s):

Polyurethane Foam ◽

Compression Testing ◽

Low Density ◽

Flexible Polyurethane Foam ◽

Flexible Polyurethane

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Effect of Nano-and Micro-Silica Fillers on Polyurethane Foam Properties

Journal of Cellular Plastics ◽

10.1177/0021955x02038003139 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 229-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

Author(s):

I. Javni ◽

W. Zhang ◽

V. Karajkov ◽

Z. S. Petrovic ◽

V. Divjakovic

Keyword(s):

Polyurethane Foam ◽

Silica Fillers ◽

Foam Properties ◽

Micro Silica

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Rigid Polyurethane Foam: A Versatile Energy Efficient Material

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.678.88 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 678 ◽

pp. 88-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Harpal Singh

Keyword(s):

Thermal Conductivity ◽

Polyurethane Foam ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Building Envelope ◽

Polymerization Reaction ◽

Low Density ◽

High Porosity ◽

Rigid Polyurethane Foam ◽

Low Thermal Conductivity ◽

Moisture Permeability

Rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) is typically prepared by the reaction of an isocyanate, such as methyl diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) with a polyol blend. During the polymerization reaction, a blowing agent expands the reacting mixture. The finished product is a solid, cellular polymer with a high thermal resistance. RPUF is an outstanding material for different applications. It has many desirable properties such as low thermal conductivity, low density, low water absorption, low moisture permeability, excellent dimensional stability, high strength to weight ratio. So, it is the best insulating material for industrial buildings, cold storages, telecom and defense shelters due to low thermal conductivity, low density, low moisture permeability and high porosity. It works to reduce heating and cooling loss, improving the efficiency of the building envelope. Thus, RPUF insulation in building envelopes brings additional benefits in energy savings, resulting in lower energy bills and protecting the environment by cutting CO2 emissions.

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