Properties of Rigid Polyurethane Foams and Their Recycling Products
Author Information
Author(s): Zemła Marcin, Kurańska Maria, Vevere Laima, Kirpluks Mikelis, Malewska Elżbieta, Apostolou Maria Sofia, Prociak Aleksander
Primary Institution: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology
Hypothesis
The type of biopolyol used in polyurethane foam systems significantly impacts the properties of the resulting glycolyzed products.
Conclusion
The study found that petroleum-based foams exhibited better mechanical properties and lower thermal conductivity compared to bio-based foams, while the glycolyzed products from biopolyols showed higher reactivity.
Supporting Evidence
- Petroleum-based foams had compressive strength ranging from 241 to 1323 kPa.
- Bio-based foams had a closed cell content ranging from 15.9% to 53.9%.
- Thermal conductivity of bio-based foams was significantly higher, ranging from 37.01 to 42.30 mW/m·K.
Takeaway
This study looked at different types of foam made from oil and plants, and how they can be recycled. The oil-based foam was stronger, but the plant-based foam was easier to recycle.
Methodology
The study synthesized polyurethane foams from petrochemical and biopolyols, tested their properties, and analyzed the glycolysis products using diethylene glycol.
Limitations
The study did not explore the long-term environmental impacts of using recycled materials.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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