Investigation of the Epoxy Concentrations Effect on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Foams

Abstract

Thermosetting foam had a number of advantage in comparison with unfoamed polymer such as lightweights, higher specifics strength, and stiffness. In this work, preparations and characterizations of polymers foams from polyurethanes have carrying out by means of one shot methods for productions of microcellulars polymers that are using in the lower limp application. Many type of polyols (Local commercial market, Quickmast 110, and Quickmast 120) at equivalents ratios of (isocyanate:polyol) [1:1] mixing with 5 drops of distill water as chemicals blowing agent. Different amounts of epoxy resin [2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%] mixing with polyol using a magnetic stirrer for 30 min at 50 °C and 30 rpm. The hardener mixing with isocyanates in another container. These two solutions were mixing together, then water was added and mixing by hand to form polyurethane/ epoxy blend foam sample. The mechanical characteristics [hardness, tensile and compression] tests were achieved to display the effects of polyol type, epoxy concentration on the mechanical characteristics of the final product. The results of mechanical characteristics  increasing with additions of epoxy resin at the best ratio is 7.5 wt%.