Nanoclay‐Modified Rigid Polyurethane Foam
- 1 November 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part B
- Vol. 44 (6), 897-908
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00222340500364809
Abstract
Montmorillonite‐based organoclay was incorporated into rigid polyurethane foams. Clay was dispersed first in the isocyanate component ultrasonically. The dispersion was investigated using small angle X‐ray scattering and rheology. It was found that using toluene as common solvent enhanced dispersion significantly. The addition of 1 wt% clay resulted in reduced cell size from 0.40 to 0.28 mm and increased cell number density on 300‐index foams. Gas chromatography showed that diffusion of blowing agent out of the closed cells of the foam decreased by more than 82% with clay loading. The reduction in permeability is caused by the combined effect of smaller cell size and dispersed nanoclay acting as diffusion barrier. At 1% clay no mechanical strength improvements were observed. Higher levels of clay loading caused significant viscosity increase and a yield stress that made mixing the reactive components difficult.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- Hexadecyl-functionalized lamellar mesostructured silicates and aluminosilicates designed for polymer–clay nanocomposites. Part II: Dispersion in organic solvents and in polystyrenePolymer, 2005
- Polyurethane/clay nanocomposites foams: processing, structure and propertiesPolymer, 2005
- Solvent-based nanocomposite coatingsJournal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2004
- Polymer–Clay Nanocomposite Foams Prepared Using Carbon DioxideAdvanced Materials, 2003
- Characterization of polyisoprene–clay nanocomposites prepared by solution blendingPolymer, 2003
- Extrusion of polystyrene nanocomposite foams with supercritical CO2Polymer Engineering & Science, 2003
- Effect of Nano-and Micro-Silica Fillers on Polyurethane Foam PropertiesJournal of Cellular Plastics, 2002
- A House of Cards Structure in Polypropylene/Clay Nanocomposites under Elongational FlowNano Letters, 2001
- Szycher's Handbook of PolyurethanesPublished by Informa UK Limited ,1999
- Barrier properties of oriented disk compositesThe Journal of Chemical Physics, 1999