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A statistical study of the effect of formulation variables on the properties of sorbitol polyether‐based rigid urethane foam
Author(s) -
Wilson J. E.,
Truax H. M.,
Dunn M. A.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1960.070030912
Subject(s) - prepolymer , isocyanate , hydroxyl value , polyurethane , ultimate tensile strength , catalysis , polyol , materials science , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
Each rigid urethane foam formulation must be carefully designed to meet the key requirements of its specific end use. For example, refrigerator insulation is an application which requires low thermal conductivity, low density, and excellent resistance to humid aging. The present investigation was carried out to determine variations in foam properties caused by changes in catalyst concentration, isocyanate/hydroxyl ratio in the quasi‐prepolymer, quasi‐prepolymer cooking time, dispersing agent concentration, and isocyanate/hydroxyl ratio in the total foam. The basic foam formulation contained sorbitol polyether (Hydroxyl Number 490), toluene diisocyanate, trichlorofluoromethane blowing agent, catalyst, and dispersing agent. The results showed that the tensile strength decreased as the isocyanate/hydroxyl ratio in the total foam increased. Shear strength was affected strongly by catalyst concentration, and by isocyanate/hydroxyl ratio in the prepolymer and in the total foam. Cure time (at room temperature) was strongly affected by catalyst concentration and technique of prepolymer preparation. The only factors having a significant effect on humid aging resistance were isocyanate/hydroxyl ratio in the prepolymer and in the total foam. The effects on thermal conductivity were complex, and included an interaction between dispersing agent concentration and catalyst concentration, and also between prepolymer preparation technique and isocyanate/hydroxyl ratio in the prepolymer. The compressive strength increased with catalyst concentration, and was strongly affected by prepolymer preparation techniques. Key effects and interactions were plotted in graphical form.