Synthesis,structure, and properties of segmented carborane‐containing polyurethanes

Novel segmented carborane‐containing polyurethane (PUR 2–5) is synthesized from hydroxyl‐terminated carborane‐containing prepolymer (P3) as soft segment and isocyanate‐terminated carborane‐containing prepolymer (P5) as hard segment by different ratio of P3 and P5. The prepared carborane‐containing polyarylesters and polyurethanes (PURs) are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Their mechanical properties and thermal stability are measured, while the dosage of carborane biphenol is 5–10 wt %, the tensile strength is up to 20 MPa, and thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) curves indicate that the carborane group effectively reduces the degradation rate of carborane‐containing polyurethane, which is fairly stable above 300°C and with char yield exceeding 40%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42227.     

Mechanical and thermal analysis of injection molded poly(methyl methacrylate) modified with 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) fire retarder

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (PMMA/DOPO) compositions have been prepared by extruding and injection molding. The mechanical (i.e., tensile and flexural strengths, modulus, hardness), rheological (volume flow rate index) as well as thermal properties (Tg, Vicat softening temperature, oxygen index) of samples containing 1–10 wt parts of DOPO (per 100 wt parts of PMMA) have been analyzed. Additionally, FTIR analysis of modified PMMA has been made. The chemical reaction of both components has been observed during their processing and PMMA/DOPO compositions exhibited generally higher tensile strength, rigidity, hardness, volume flow rate index, and oxygen index. On the other hand, the addition of the mentioned phosphorous‐based component into a PMMA matrix reduced its impact strength, softening, and a glass transition temperature. Moreover, taking into consideration the thermal stability (i.e., temperature for 10 wt% mass loss in the air atmosphere) the mentioned parameter was reduced by a DOPO application as well. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1030–1037, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Recycling of rigid polyurethane foam: Micro-milled powder used as active filler in polyurethane adhesives

Rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams are widely used as heat insulation material in construction industry or for electronic appliances manufacturing. After finishing their life-time, it is necessary to eliminate foam wastes. The aim of this study was to prepare a pair of industrial PUR adhesives of medium viscosity containing recycled rigid PUR foam. Three methods of milling were tested: knife-milling, two-roll milling, and ball-milling. Only two-roll milling gives the PUR micro-powder usable for following adhesives modification. The micro-powder was used as passive filler in PUR adhesives and potential reactivity for polyol pack replacement was studied. Hydroxyl and amine numbers were determined in mixture with virgin polyol. One-component PUR prepolymer adhesive was prepared using various dosages of the micro powder and the tensile strength of bound wood was measured. As additional parameters, also free film adhesive mechanical parameters were tested and particle size distribution of the micro powder was analyzed. Two adhesive formulations were prepared for independent evaluation of the micro powder reactivity. The results showed growing of the mechanical strength of wood bonding with growing dosage of the micro powder.     

秸秆焦油基聚醚多元醇的合成及其在PUR泡沫中的应用

采用气/质联用仪对秸秆焦油的成分进行了分析,确定了49种化合物,相对酚总量为66.23%。用秸秆焦油、多聚甲醛、二乙醇胺、环氧丙烷为原料,制备焦油基Mannich聚醚多元醇(TMP),对反应过程进行了探索,并用TMP、二异氰酸酯系化合物(粗MDI)等制备了焦油基聚氨酯(PUR)泡沫。结果表明,合成焦油基Mannich碱的较佳条件为反应温度80℃,反应时间3 h,二乙醇胺的转化率可达到90.47%。研究了环氧丙烷的添加量对TMP及其PUR泡沫结构与性能的影响,并将TMP基PUR与纯苯酚(PMP)基PUR进行了性能比较。结果表明,TMP基PUR泡沫具有PMP基PUR泡沫相近的力学性能和热稳定性,且成本较低,因此具有良好的应用前景。     

Biobased Polyurethane Composite Foams Reinforced with Plum Stones and Silanized Plum Stones

In the following study, ground plum stones and silanized ground plum stones were used as natural fillers for novel polyurethane (PUR) composite foams. The impact of 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of fillers on the cellular structure, foaming parameters, and mechanical, thermomechanical, and thermal properties of produced foams were assessed. The results showed that the silanization process leads to acquiring fillers with a smoother surface compared to unmodified filler. The results also showed that the morphology of the obtained materials is affected by the type and content of filler. Moreover, the modified PUR foams showed improved properties. For example, compared with the reference foam (PUR_REF), the foam with the addition of 1 wt.% of unmodified plum filler showed better mechanical properties, such as higher compressive strength (~8% improvement) and better flexural strength (~6% improvement). The addition of silanized plum filler improved the thermal stability and hydrophobic character of PUR foams. This work shows the relationship between the mechanical, thermal, and application properties of the obtained PUR composites depending on the modification of the filler used during synthesis.     

Mechanically Strong Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Montmorillonite-Modified Sage Filler (Salvia officinalis L.)

Rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams reinforced with 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of salvia filler (SO filler) and montmorillonite-modified salvia filler (MMT-modified SO filler) were produced in the following study. The impact of 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of SO filler and MMT-modified SO filler on the morphological, chemical, and mechanical properties of PUR composites were examined. In both cases, the addition of 1 and 2 wt.% of SO fillers resulted in the synthesis of PUR composites with improved physicomechanical properties, while the addition of 5 wt.% of SO fillers resulted in the formation of PUR composites with a less uniform structure and, therefore, some deterioration in their physicomechanical performances. Moreover, the results showed that the modification of SO filler with MMT improved the interphase compatibility between filler surface and PUR matrix. Therefore, such reinforced PUR composites were characterized by a well-developed closed-cell structure and improved mechanical, thermal, and flame-retardant performances. For example, when compared with reference foam, the addition of 2 wt.% of MMT-modified SO filler resulted in the formation of PUR composites with greater mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength) and improved dynamic-mechanical properties (storage modulus). The PUR composites were characterized by better thermal stability as well as improved flame retardancy—e.g., decreased peak rate of heat release (pHRR), reduced total smoke release (TSR), and increased limiting oxygen index (LOI).     

Properties of rigid polyurethane‐polyisocyanurate foams modified with the selected fillers

Rigid polyurethane‐polyisocyanurate foams (PUR‐PIR) containing from 2.5% to 20% w/w of fillers (talc, aluminum hydroxide, chalk, starch and borax) were the subject of our studies; a reference sample was PUR‐PIR foam with no filler added. Apparent density, compressive strength, brittleness, content of closed cells, retention (flammability) and softening point of foams were determined and the products were analyzed by thermogravimetric method. These parameters were the basis to determine effect of type and participation of the fillers studied on physicochemical, heat, and thermal properties of foams. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Flame retardant properties of polyurethane produced by the addition of phosphorous containing polyurethane oligomers (II)

Chemical degradation of used PU was intentionally made by the addition of flame retardants such as tris(2-chloropropyl)phosphate (TCPP), triethyl phosphate (TEP) and trimethyl phosphonate (TMP). Final product obtained after the degradation reaction was named as DEP. The structure of degraded products (DEP) was analyzed by FT-IR and ³¹P NMR and it turned out to be phosphorous containing oligourethanes. Rigid polyurethane foam was produced using the degraded products (DEP) as flame retardants. The flammability and thermal stability of recycled rigid polyurethane was investigated. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength and tensile strength of recycled polyurethane were also studied. The recycled polyurethane shows reduced flammability and higher thermal stability over virgin polyurethane. Mechanical strength of recycled polyurethane also shows as high as that of virgin polyurethane. In order to evaluate flame retardant properties of the recycled polyurethane foams with various amounts of DEP, heat release rate (HRR) of the foam was measured by cone calorimeter. Scanning electron micrograph of recycled PU shows uniform cell morphology as virgin-PU.     

Effects of liquid‐type silane additives and organoclay on the morphology and thermal conductivity of rigid polyisocyanurate‐polyurethane foams

This article investigates the effects of liquid‐type silane additives and organoclay as a solid‐type additive on the morphological, mechanical and thermal insulating properties of polyisocyanurate‐polyurethane (PIR‐PUR) foams. The organoclay likely acted as nucleating agents during the formation of PIR‐PUR foams. When the liquid silane additives and organoclay were added, the cell size and thermal conductivity of the PIR‐PUR foams appeared to be decreased. However, organoclay did not contribute to reduce the cell size distribution of the foam. PIR‐PUR foams synthesized with tetramethylsilane as a liquid‐type additive showed a smaller average cell size and lower thermal conductivity than that of PIR‐PUR foams synthesized with the other silane additives or with organoclay as a solid‐type additive. For the PIR‐PUR foam with organoclay/TEMS (1.5/1.5 php) mixture, cell size and thermal conductivity of the foam showed similar to the foam with TEMS. These results suggest that smaller cell size appears to be one of the major factors in the improvement of thermal insulation properties of the PIR‐PUR foams. Silane additives did not seem to have a strong effect on the flammability of the PIR‐PUR foams. However, heat resistance was more dominant for the foam with the organoclay at the higher temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Interfacial adhesion evaluation in (low‐density polyethylene)/elastomer blends

Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) with different elastomers at a ratio of 50/50 wt% blends was prepared by using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. Three kinds of elastomers were used: ground tire rubber (GTR), partially crosslinked butyl rubber (Kalar^®), and styrene‐butadiene‐rubber block copolymer (SBS; Kraton^®). For better characterization of interaction between polyethylene and elastomer, influence of the type of elastomer on the properties of compositions LDPE/elastomer was determined. In the studies, two types of partially crosslinked butyl rubber (differing over filler content and Mooney viscosity) and two types of SBS (differing over structure: linear/branched) were used. The influence of kind and type of elastomer on static mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness), dynamic mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphology of obtained compositions were characterized. LDPE/linear SBS copolymer blend had the best mechanical properties, as a result of better compatibility in comparison with other investigated blends. The reason for improved compatibility was an increase of mobility of chain segments in the amorphous phase of polyethylene associated with their partial plasticization by flexible polybutadiene blocks present in SBS copolymer. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:492–500, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Formation and characterization of polyurethane—vermiculite clay nanocomposite foams

Nanocomposites of rigid polyurethane foam with unmodified vermiculite clay are synthesized. The clay is dispersed either in polyol or isocyanate before blending. The viscosity of the polyol is found to increase slightly on the addition of clay up to 5 pphp (parts per hundred parts of polyol by weight). The gel time and rise time are significantly reduced by the addition of clay, indicating that the clay acts as a heterogeneous catalyst for the foaming and polymerization reactions. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy of the polyurethane composite foams indicate that the clay is partially exfoliated in the polymer matrix. The clay is found to induce gas bubble nucleation resulting in smaller cells with a narrower size distribution in the cured foam. The closed cell content of the clay nanocomposite foams increases slightly with clay concentration. The mechanical properties are found to be the best at 2.3 wt% of clay when the clay is dispersed in the isocyanate; the compressive strength and modulus normalized to a density of 40 kg/m³ are 40% and 34% higher than the foam without clay, respectively. The thermal conductivity is found to be 10% lower than the foam without clay. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical,morphological, and thermal properties of (thermoplastic polyurethane)/(chlorinated polyethylene) blends

The preparation and characterization of CPE (chlorinated polyethylene)/TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) blends with various ratios were investigated. The compatibility, morphology, and rheology, as well as the thermal and physico‐mechanical properties, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, universal tensile machine analysis, and capillary rheometry. The results showed that CPE is partially miscible with TPU. The introduction of CPE into TPU resulted in a reduction of the viscosity, tensile strength, tear strength, compression set, abrasion resistance, and hardness, whereas the elongation at break was increased. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the blends underwent two stages of thermal degradation. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:192‐197, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The role of nanofillers on (natural rubber)/(ethylene vinyl acetate)/clay nanocomposite in blending and foaming

Nanocomposite foams were fabricated from 60/40 wt% ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/natural rubber (NR) blends by using azodicarbonamide as a blowing agent. Two different nanofillers (sodium montmorillonite and organoclay) were employed to study their effects on foam properties. The results were also compared with conventional (china clay)‐filled foams. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and three‐dimensional Microfocus X‐ray computed tomography scanning analysis were performed to characterize the EVA/NR blend morphology and foam structures. The results revealed that the nanofiller acted as a blend compatibilizer. Sodium montmorillonite was more effective in compatibilization, generating better phase‐separated EVA/NR blend morphology and improving foam structure. Higher filler loading increased the specific tensile strength of rubber foams. The rubber nanocomposite foam showed superior specific tensile strength to the conventional rubber composite foam. The elastic recovery and compressive strength of the nanocomposite foams decreased with increasing filler content, whereas the opposite trend was observed for the conventional composite foams with china clay. The thermal conductivity measurement indicated that the nanofiller had better beneficial effect on thermal insulation over china clay filler. From the present study, the nanofillers played an important role in obtaining better blend morphology as compatibilizer, rather than the nucleating agent and the nanofiller content of 5 phr (parts by weight per hundred parts of rubber) was recommended for the production of EVA/NR nanocomposite foams. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:134–146, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and morphological study of polyurethane/polystyrene interpenetrating polymer networks containing ionic groups

The viscoelastic and mechanical properties and the morphology of polyurethane (PUR)/ olystyrene (PS) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) containing ionic groups have been investigated. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) revealed a pronounced change in the viscoelastic properties upon the introduction of ionic groups. For the 70 : 30 and 60 : 40 PUR/PS IPN compositions, the DMTA data changed from a dominant PUR to a dominant PS loss factor peak. Higher intertransition loss factor values indicated a significant improvement of IPN component mixing with increasing ionic content. The stress at break values increased only moderately, whereas sharp rises in Young's modulus and hardness values were found at 2 wt % ionic groups. At the same time, the strain at break values decreased by half. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated a grossly phase-separated morphology for the 70 : 30 PUR/PS IPN without ionic groups. With increasing methacrylic acid (MAA) content, the PS phase domain sizes decreased. At 2 wt % of ionic groups, a TEM micrograph showed interconnected PS phase domains resembling a network structure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1973–1985, 1998     

Preparation and properties of emulsifier-/solvent-free slightly crosslinked waterborne polyurethane-acrylic hybrid emulsions for footwear adhesives (III)–effect of trimethylol propane (TMP)/ethylene diamine (EDA) content

Stable emulsions of emulsifier-/solvent-free slightly crosslinked waterborne polyurethane-acrylic hybrids (WPU/AC-Ts) with a fixed acrylic monomer content (20 wt.%) and different trimethylol propane (TMP)/ethylene diamine (EDA) (0/0.20, 0.02/0.17, 0.04/0.14, 0.06/0.11, 0.08/0.08, the number indicated the mole% of TMP/EDA) for footwear adhesive materials were successfully prepared in this study. The as-polymerized hybrid emulsion containing 0.10/0.05 mole% of TMP/EDA content was found to be unstable, indicating that near 0.10/0.05 mole% of TMP/EDA content was beyond the limit value of crosslinkable TMP component for self-emulsifing. This study examined the effect of mole% of TMP/EDA on the stability and viscosity of hybrid emulsions, the tensile properties and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of hybrid film samples, and the adhesive strengths of formulated adhesives for footwear at both dry and wet states. As TMP content increased, the tensile strength/modulus/storage modulus/hardness of WPU/AC-Ts film samples increased, however, their elongation at break and water swelling% decreased significantly. The adhesive strength (peel strength) of formulated adhesives was found to be dependent upon the degree of drying, but almost not upon the TMP content in WPU/AC-Ts. The adhesive strength of footwear (EVA/leather) dried at room temperature for 24 h was higher than that of footwear dried for 30 min. However, the adhesive strength at wet state increased significantly with increasing TMP content. The optimum TMP/EDA contents were found to be 0.06/0.11 and 0.08/0.08 mole% to achieve the desired high performance adhesive properties such as high strength in wet state.     

Effect of flame-retardant melamine and dispersants on the mechanical,thermal, and foaming properties of flexible polyurethane foam

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of adding flame-retardant melamine and five different dispersants on the precipitation, foaming, mechanical, and thermal properties of flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF). Precipitation experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of dispersant on the separation of flame retardant and polyol, and the foaming characteristics of polyurethane (PU) foam after adding dispersant were analyzed. The effect of adding a dispersant on mechanical strength was characterized by measuring tensile strength, tearing strength, and hardness, and scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to analyze morphological characteristics. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to analyze the thermal properties of PU foam. A horizontal flame test, limiting oxygen index test, and cone calorimeter tests were conducted to examine the flame retardancy of PU foam with flame retardant melamine and dispersant added. The dispersant ANTI-TERRA-U is a solution of a salt of unsaturated polyamine amides and low-molecular acidic polyesters. And, the dispersant BYK-220S is a solution of a low molecular weight, unsaturated acidic polycarboxylic acid polyester with a polysiloxane copolymer. The dispersants ANTI-TERRA-U and BYK-220S improved the density, tensile strength, tear strength, and hardness of FPUF. TGA of the top and bottom portions of the foam showed less weight difference for samples containing dispersants, indicating better homogeneity due to improved dispersibility. Therefore, we conclude that dispersants are beneficial additives to improve the mechanical properties and dispersibility of PU foam.     

Effect of nanoparticles on mode‐I fracture toughness of polyurethane foams

Mode‐I fracture toughness of rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam modified with nanosize particles of different shapes and sizes have been examined using a single edge notched bend (SENB) specimen under three‐point bending configuration. The PUR foams with density of 260 kg/m³ and four different types of nanoparticles, namely, nano TiO₂ (5, 10, and 35 nm), nanoclay, carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are considered. Nanophased PUR foams are prepared through the infusion of nanoparticles into liquid PUR foam precursor in the range of 0.5–2 wt% with 0.5‐wt% increment using a sonochemical method. The linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) model has been used to determine the mode‐I fracture toughness. The fracture toughness data have been validated with the plain strain fracture criteria and found to be appropriate. It is observed that the infusion of CNF at 0.5‐wt% loading shows the highest enhancement in fracture toughness (about 28%) over neat counter part. Among different sized nano TiO₂, 5 nm nanoparticles show the highest improvement (about 16%) at a doping of 1.0 wt%. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Walnut Shell Filler Treated with Perlite,Montmorillonite and Halloysite

In the following study, polyurethane (PUR) composites were modified with 2 wt.% of walnut shell filler modified with selected mineral compounds–perlite, montmorillonite, and halloysite. The impact of modified walnut shell fillers on selected properties of PUR composites, such as rheological properties (dynamic viscosity, foaming behavior), mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, impact strength), dynamic-mechanical behavior (glass transition temperature, storage modulus), insulation properties (thermal conductivity), thermal characteristic (temperature of thermal decomposition stages), and flame retardant properties (e.g., ignition time, limiting oxygen index, heat peak release) was investigated. Among all modified types of PUR composites, the greatest improvement was observed for PUR composites filled with walnut shell filler functionalized with halloysite. For example, on the addition of such modified walnut shell filler, the compressive strength was enhanced by ~13%, flexural strength by ~12%, and impact strength by ~14%. Due to the functionalization of walnut shell filler with thermally stable flame retardant compounds, such modified PUR composites were characterized by higher temperatures of thermal decomposition. Most importantly, PUR composites filled with flame retardant compounds exhibited improved flame resistance characteristics-in all cases, the value of peak heat release was reduced by ~12%, while the value of total smoke release was reduced by ~23%.     

Properties of segmented polyurethanes derived from different diisocyanates

Various segmented polyurethane materials with a polyurethane hard segment (HS) content of 40 wt % were prepared by bulk polymerization of a poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol with M_n of 2000, 1,4‐butanediol, and various diisocyanates. The diisocyanates used were pure 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate (T100), toluene diisocyanate containing 80% 2,4‐isomer and 20% 2,6‐isomer (T80), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hydrogenated 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (HMDI), and 1,6‐hexane diisocyanate (HDI). The segmented polyurethane materials were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile properties, tear strength, and Shore A hardness. The DSC and DMA data show that the thermal transitions are influenced significantly by the diisocyanate structure. In the segmented polyurethane materials with aliphatic HS, the polyether soft segment (SS) is immiscible with the HS. However, in the segmented polyurethane materials with aromatic HS, the SS is partially miscible with the HS. The diisocyanate structure also influences the mechanical properties significantly and is described as the effect of symmetry and chemical structure of the HS. Various solution polymerized polyurethane resins with solid content of 30 wt % were also prepared and their thickness retention, water resistance, and yellowing resistance were determined for the evaluation of their usage as wet process polyurethane leather. The polyurethane resin with aliphatic HS show poorer thickness retention but better yellowing resistance. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 167–174, 2000     

PDA型PUR弹性体的制备与性能

以聚己二酸二乙二醇酯二醇(PDA)为软段,4,4′–二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯(MDI)和1,4–丁二醇(BDO)为硬段,采用预聚体法制备一系列PDA型PUR弹性体。采用力学性能测试、广角X射线衍射(WAXD)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、差示扫描量热(DSC)、热重(TG)分析和维卡软化点温度测定等研究手段,研究硬段含量对其力学性能、微观形态和热性能的影响。结果表明,随着硬段含量的增加,PDA型PUR弹性体的硬度、拉伸强度、300%定伸应力、拉伸永久变形和撕裂强度都增大,当硬段含量为40.1%时,弹性体的综合力学性能最佳,硬度(邵A)为88,拉伸强度为33.9 MPa,300%定伸应力为12.5 MPa,拉伸永久变形为31%,撕裂强度为90.3 k N/m;WAXD分析表明,弹性体为无定型结构;FTIR分析表明,硬段含量的增加使弹性体总的氢键化程度增加,微相分离程度改善;DSC测试表明,硬段含量的增加使弹性体的微相分离程度提高;TG和维卡软化点温度测试表明,弹性体的热性能随着硬段含量的增加而提高,当硬段含量为40.1%时,弹性体的初始分解温度(失重5%的温度)和维卡软化点温度分别达到324.5℃和144.1℃,具有较好的热性能。