0000000000276446
AUTHOR
Mikelis Kirpluks
Anisotropy of the stiffness and strength of rigid low-density closed-cell polyisocyanurate foams
The cells of polymer foams are usually extended in the foam rise direction, causing a geometrical anisotropy, the degree of which, characterized by the cell aspect ratio R, depends on foam density and production method. Such elongated cell shape translates into anisotropy of the mechanical properties of foams. Rigid low-density closed-cell polyisocyanurate foams of apparent density ranging from ca. 30 to 75 kg/m3, containing polyols derived from renewable resources, have been produced and tested for the stiffness and strength in the foam rise and transverse directions in order to experimentally characterize their mechanical anisotropy. Analytical relations for foams with rectangular paralle…
Reinforcement Efficiency of Cellulose Microfibers for the Tensile Stiffness and Strength of Rigid Low-Density Polyurethane Foams
Rigid low-density closed-cell polyurethane (PU) foams are widely used in both thermal insulation and structural applications. The sustainability of PU foam production can be increased by using bio-based components and fillers that ensure both enhanced mechanical properties and higher renewable material content. Such bio-based foams were produced using polyols derived from rapeseed oil and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) fibers as filler. The effect of MCC fiber loading of up to 10 wt % on the morphology, tensile stiffness, and strength of foams has been evaluated. For estimation of the mechanical reinforcement efficiency of foams, a model allowing for the partial alignment of filler fibers…
Thermal degradation of highly crosslinked rigid PU-PIR foams based on high functionality tall oil polyol
Abstract This study presents the development and analysis of rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (PU-PIR) foam synthesized from high functionality tall oil (TO) based polyols. Three PU-PIR formulations with varied high functionality TO based polyol content (45, 75 and 95 pbw) and a different tier of isocyanate (NCO) indexes (110, 150, 200, 300 and 400) for each formulation were compared to a formulation developed using conventional raw materials, mainly obtained from petrochemicals. Using the Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis (FTIR), the chemical structure of the foams was evaluated with emphasis on the characteristic PU-PIR signal ratio and isocyanurate signal peaks. The thermal…
The effect of a circular hole on the tensile strength of neat and filled rigid PUR foams
Abstract In order to elucidate the effect of stress concentration on the tensile strength of rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams, specimens with open circular holes and different ratios of hole diameter to specimen width were tested in tension. The reduction in the net-section strength of the specimens with a center hole ranged from 1% to 18% for neat foams and from 18% to 28% for foams produced from a nanoclay-filled PUR. The finite fracture mechanics approach, based on simultaneous application of the strength and fracture mechanics criteria of failure, yielded a reasonably accurate prediction of foam strength in the presence of stress concentration.
The Effect of Montmorillonite Type Nanoparticles on Stiffness and Flammability of Rapeseed Oil Based Polyisocyanurate Foams
Polyisocyanurate foams incorporating polyols derived from rapeseed oil are developed, with the polyol system comprising up to 80% of rapeseed oil esters. To enhance the mechanical characteristics and fire resistance of the foams, they are filled with three different types of organically modified clay (organoclay) in the range of loading from 1 to 5% by weight. Marked increase in tensile stiffness of nanocomposite foams is observed.