Polyurethanes are polymers made up of urethane linkages,
which are generated by exothermic reactions between isocyanates containing more
than one reactive isocyanate group (-NCO) per molecule and alcohols having two
or more reactive hydroxyl (-OH) groups per molecule (diols, triols, and
polyols). Polyurethane foams are further classified as rigid, semi-rigid, and
flexible foams. The comfort, breathability, flexibility, and robustness of
flexible polyurethane foams (FPU) make them especially desirable in the
mattress, automotive, and upholstery sectors. This study investigates the
effect of various formulation variables on flexible polyurethane foam (FPU) of
a density of 32 kg/m3. A detailed observatory analysis is performed to figure
out the impacts of toluene di-isocyanate (TDI), water, surfactant, stannous
octoate, and amine on unfilled 32-density FPU foam. The concentration of each
component was manipulated to study its influence on the conduct and quality of
the PU foam. All other factors that affect the final foam's quality, such as
chemical temperature, mixing speed, ambient temperature, and humidity, were
controlled to minimize their influence and precisely monitor the effects
triggered solely by varying chemical concentrations in the FPU foams. For
comparative purposes, an ideal foam with the correct amount of chemicals was
developed. Comparative findings indicated that amine influences the porous
nature of the resultant material, silicone plays a crucial role in delivering
strength and stability to the cells and cell struts, stannous octoate provides
the foam the strength required to sustain its structural integrity, and TDI has
a significant impact on the hardness of the foam. Water additionally functions
as a blowing agent which is essential to initiate the foam to rise from liquid
components to a compressible solid. Each ingredient has a considerable impact
on the chemistry, foaming procedure, and physical characteristics of the
finished material. In this study, we discussed some of the more prevalent
issues that arise due to insufficient or excessive concentration of chemicals
on the development, and quality of the resultant polyurethane foam and offered
an understanding of the chemistry and underlying reasons for these problems.
This chapter delivers an insightful comprehensive description to the novices in
the PU field, researchers and industrial professionals about the correlations
between the FPU's structure, physical characteristics, formulation
compositions, and chemical mechanisms.
Author(s) Details:
Dr. Jaya Maitra,
Department of Applied Chemistry, USoVSAS, Gautam Buddha University,
India..
Harshi Jaiswal
Department of Applied Chemistry, USoVSAS, Gautam Buddha University, India.
Mahesh N. Gopalasamudram
Chief Operating Officer, Sheela Foam Ltd., India.
Mukesh Sharma
Team Manager Foaming Department, Sheela Foam Ltd., India.
Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/CICMS-V9/article/view/14340
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