Development and Characterization of Polyurethane Foams with Substitution of Polyether Polyol with Soy-Based Polyol

Abstract

Bio-based polyols can replace petroleum-based polyols for the reaction with isocyanate groups to prepare a wide range of polyurethane (PU) products. They can be readily derived from various types of abundant and renewable bio-resources, however, their utilization is still limited due to the complex molecular structure and relatively low primary hydroxyl content. This study aims to substitute the petroleum-based polyether polyols with soy-based polyols for the fabrication of rigid PU foams that have comparable or better physical properties required for potential structural and insulation applications. Commercially available soy polyols with 230 mg KOH/g hydroxyl content were blended with the petroleum-based polyether polyols in 5% increments up to 50% substitution to fabricate the rigid PU foams. Isocyanate index of 1.14 was maintained for all formulations. Other constituents such as catalyst, surfactant, and blowing agent were also kept constant. The density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity of prepared PU foam samples were determined by the ASTM standard methods. Densities of PU samples with 25% substitution were within the 20% range of the control sample. Thermal conductivity values of the PU foams prepared with 25% polyether polyol substitution were similar when compared to the control sample. Compressive strengths of the 25% substitution samples were approximately 30% higher. It was concluded that the polyols blended with 25% soy-based polyols yield the rigid PU foams that have the overall best quality in terms of compressive strength, tensile strength, and insulation.

Meeting Name

4th Annual Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, CAMX 2017 (2017: Dec. 11-14, Orlando, FL)

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Second Department

Chemistry

Research Center/Lab(s)

Intelligent Systems Center

Second Research Center/Lab

Center for High Performance Computing Research

Comments

This work is supported by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (Jefferson City, MO).

Keywords and Phrases

ASTM standards; Blowing agents; Compressive strength; Ethers; Polyols; Polyurethanes; Potassium hydroxide; Tensile strength; Thermal conductivity, Control samples; Hydroxyl content; Insulation applications; Isocyanate group; Isocyanate indices; Polyether polyol; Polyurethane Foam; Soy based polyol, Alcohols

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2017 The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2017

This document is currently not available here.

Share

 
COinS