Search
Search results for: FLEXIBLE FOAMS
-
Synthesis and Physicochemical Characteristics of Chitosan-Based Polyurethane Flexible Foams
PublicationThe use of shrimp waste to obtain chitosan (Ch) is an essential issue, considering a circular economy, waste management, and its application to environmentally friendly materials. In this study, northern prawn shells were utilized to obtain Ch, which could then be used for synthesizing chitosan-based polyurethane (PUR+Ch) foams with different Ch concentration. The chemical structure, morphology, hardness, thermal properties, viscoelastic...
-
THERMOMECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF FLEXIBLE POLYURETHANE FOAMS AS A FUNCTION OF THE ISOCYANATE INDEX
PublicationPolyurethane foams are very versatile materials applied in different branches of industry. Their popularity is attributed, among others, to the flexibility in engineering their mechanical performance by the adjustment of their formulations. One of the most crucial factors is the isocyanate index, determining the ratio between the free hydroxyl and isocyanate groups present in the polyurethane system. By the change of this ratio,...
-
Comprehensive Investigation of Stoichiometry–Structure–Performance Relationships in Flexible Polyurethane Foams
PublicationPolyurethane (PU) foams are versatile materials with a broad application range. Their performance is driven by the stoichiometry of polymerization reaction, which has been investigated in several works. However, the analysis was often limited only to selected properties and compared samples differing in apparent density, significantly influencing their performance. In the bigger picture, there is still a lack of comprehensive studies...
-
Effect of ground tire rubber on structural, mechanical and thermal properties of flexible polyurethane foams
PublicationFlexible polyurethane foams were modified with two kinds of ground tire rubber, untreated and thermo-mechanically reclaimed. A reclamation process was performed in auto-thermal conditions, which reduced the cost of the process and decreased the environmental impact of devulcanization (e.g., emission of gases). The reclamation process was carried out in a continuous manner using a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The foams were...
-
Study of the effect of thermally reduced graphene oxide on the physical and mechanical properties of flexible polyurethane foams
PublicationFlexible polyurethane foams were obtained from a two-component system via the one-step method. The foams were modified with thermally reduced graphene oxide added in the amount equal to 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 wt%. The morphology, static and dynamic properties, and thermal stability of modified foams were determined. The application of carbon filler resulted in the visible increase in the cell size, apparent density and rigidity of...
-
Synthesis and thermal studies of flexible polyurethane nanocomposite foams obtained using nanoclay modified with flame retardant compound
PublicationThis work presents thermal studies of nanocomposites based on the flexible polyurethane (PU) matrix and filled using montmorillonite organically modified with organophosphorus flame retardant compound. Flexible PU nanocomposite foams were prepared in the reaction carried out between reactive alcoholic hydroxyl and isocyanate groups with the ratio of NCO to OH groups equal to 1.05. The amount of an organoclay ranging from 3 to 9...
-
The Impact of Ground Tire Rubber Oxidation with H2O2 and KMnO4 on the Structure and Performance of Flexible Polyurethane/Ground Tire Rubber Composite Foams
PublicationThe use of waste tires is a very critical issue, considering their environmental and economic implications. One of the simplest and the least harmful methods is conversion of tires into ground tire rubber (GTR), which can be introduced into different polymer matrices as a filler. However, these applications often require proper modifications to provide compatibility with the polymer matrix. In this study, we examined the impact...
-
Comprehensive Enhancement of Prepolymer-Based Flexible Polyurethane Foams’ Performance by Introduction of Cost-Effective Waste-Based Ground Tire Rubber Particles
PublicationMaterial innovations in polyurethane (PU) foams should ideally combine performance enhancement, environmental impact limitation, and cost reduction. These goals can be achieved by applying recycled or waste-based materials without broader industrial applications, implicating their low price. Herein, from 5 to 20 parts by weight of ground tire rubber (GTR) particles originated from the recycling of postconsumer car tires were incorporated...
-
Fabrication and Characterization of Green Polyurethane Foams with Enhanced Vibration Damping Capability
PublicationOver the past decades, there has been an intensive development of the technologies and innovations aimed at increasing the quality of life. This development largely concerns the comfort of use of everyday products that, among others, are products of the automotive, construction, or furniture industries. Considering the increase in the comfort of using products such as cars, houses, and flats, one of the comfort features of their...
-
Auxetic foams
PublicationThis paper presents a method of producing auxetic polyurethane foams (PUFs) and their unique properties. The experience was based on a synthesis of traditional flexible polyurethane foam and thermal conversion to auxetic foam. The foam specimens were transformed from conventional Poisson's ratio to auxetic (negative Poisson's ratio) [1]. Basic research was performed to determine the mechanical properties and cell structure. Auxetic...
-
Fire-Retardant Flexible Foamed Polyurethane (PU)-Based Composites: Armed and Charmed Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) Particles
PublicationInadequate fire resistance of polymers raises questions about their advanced applications. Flexible polyurethane (PU) foams have myriad applications but inherently suffer from very high flammability. Because of the dependency of the ultimate properties (mechanical and damping performance) of PU foams on their cellular structure, reinforcement of PU with additives brings about further concerns. Though they are highly flammable and...
-
Structural Changes and Their Implications in Foamed Flexible Polyurethane Composites Filled with Rapeseed Oil-Treated Ground Tire Rubber
PublicationThe utilization of post-consumer car tires is an essential issue from an ecological andeconomic point of view. One of the simplest and the least harmful methods is their material recyclingresulting in ground tire rubber (GTR), which can be further applied as fillers for polymer-basedcomposites. Nevertheless, insufficient interfacial interactions implicate the necessity of GTR modi-fication before introduction into polymer matrices....
-
Management of ground tire rubber waste by incorporation into polyurethane-based composite foams
PublicationRapid economic growth implicated the developing multiple industry sectors, including the automotive branch, increasing waste generation since recycling and utilization methods have not been established simultaneously. A very severe threat is the generation of enormous amounts of post-consumer tires considered burdensome waste, e.g., due to the substantial emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, it is essential...
-
Insights into Stoichiometry Adjustments Governing the Performance of Flexible Foamed Polyurethane/Ground Tire Rubber Composites
PublicationPolyurethanes (PU) are widely applied in the industry due to their tunable performance adjusted by changes in the isocyanate index—stoichiometric balance between isocyanate and hydroxyl groups. This balance is affected by the incorporation of modifiers of fillers into the PU matrix and is especially crucial for PU foams due to the additional role of isocyanates—foaming of the material. Despite the awareness of the issue underlined...
-
THE IMPACT OF GROUND TIRE RUBBER TREATMENT ON THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF FLEXIBLE POLYURETHANE/GROUND TIRE RUBBER COMPOSITES
PublicationWaste car tires are burdensome waste, and their utilization is crucial for the natural environment. In many countries, the primary method of their recycling is energy recovery, performed by simple combustion. However, material recycling is much more effective and significantly more beneficial for the natural environment. It results in the generation of ground tire rubber, which can be used to produce polymerrubber composites. It...
-
Foamed Polyurethane Composites With Different Types of Ash – Morphological, Mechanical and Thermal Behavior Assessments
Publicationncorporation of two types of ash particles into flexible polyurethane foams has been investigated, wood ash from gasification process and fly ash resulting from coal burning in power plant. Samples were modified with 5, 10 and 15 wt% of fillers. Structure, mechanical and thermal properties of obtained foams were investigated. Incorporation of both types of ash particles resulted in materials showing...
-
Ground Tire Rubber Filled Flexible Polyurethane Foam—Effect of Waste Rubber Treatment on Composite Performance
PublicationThe application range of flexible polyurethane (PU) foams is comprehensive because of their versatility and flexibility in adjusting structure and performance. In addition to the investigations associated with further broadening of their potential properties, researchers are looking for new raw materials, beneficially originated from renewable resources or recycling. A great example of such a material is ground tire rubber (GTR)—the...
-
The impact of filler thermomechanical modifications on static and dynamic mechanical performance of flexible foamed polyurethane/ground tire rubber/zinc borate composites
PublicationThe rapid development of the automotive industry is very beneficial to many aspects of human life, but it is also a very significant environmental burden. The most straightforward impact is related to the generation of exhaust, but the management of post-consumer car parts is also a major challenge. Among them, waste tires are very burdensome due to their enormous numbers. Therefore, it is essential to develop novel, environmentally...
-
Recycling of Polyurethanes Containing Flame-Retardants and Polymer Waste Transformed into Flame-Retarded Polyurethanes
PublicationThe growing number of polyurethanes (PUs) produced every year has developed methods for their mechanical and chemical recycling which yield valuable products like substitutes for commercial polyols or flame-retardants. PUs can be produced in different shapes and forms (i.e., elastomers, flexible or rigid foams, coatings, etc.) using several different components (i.e., di- or polyisocyanates, ester- or ether-based polyols, low-molecular...
-
The Impact of Isocyanate Index and Filler Functionalities on the Performance of Flexible Foamed Polyurethane/Ground Tire Rubber Composites
PublicationThe structure and performance of polyurethane (PU) foams are strongly driven by the stoichiometry of the polyaddition reaction, quantitatively described by the isocyanate index. It determines the balance between isocyanate and hydroxyl groups in the reacting system and is affected by the introduction of additional functionalities originated, e.g., from applied fillers. Nevertheless, this issue is hardly taken into account in research...