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.