LOW SHRINKAGE SUSTAINABLE BIO-BASED POLYOL FOR RIGID POLYURETHANE FOAM PRODUCTION

Abstract

A sustainable soy-based polyol was synthesis to replace the petroleum-based polyol for producing rigid polyurethane foam. The big challenge in using bio-based polyols was the shrinkage of the foam. The maximum reaction temperature was an indication that can be related to the curing/setting of the foam matrix and eventually reduce foam shrinkage. Two approaches were adopted to increase maximum reaction temperature of the produced foam. The first approach was pre-heating the monomers to increase the initial reaction rate and substantially increase maximum reaction temperature. The second approach was by increasing the hydroxyl number of the polyol which is, in turn, increases the maximum reaction temperature. The experimental results show that the two methods were effective in reducing foam shrinkage and bio-based polyols can effectively use to replace petroleum-based polyols.