Structure and properties of the polyurethane and polyurethane foam synthesized from castor oil polyols

• Published in: Journal of cellular plastics Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 476 - 488
• Main Authors: Stirna, Uldis, Lazdiņa, Brigita, Vilsone, Dzintra, Lopez, Maria J, Vargas-Garcia, María del Carmen, Suárez-Estrella, Francisca, Moreno, Joaquin
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-11-2012; Sage Publications
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cellular; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; biodegradation; polyurethane foams; polyurethane coatings; mechanical properties; Castor oil polyols; Elastic modulus; Closed cell; Coating material; Temperature effect; Mechanical properties; Polymer; Vegetable oil; Cellular plastic; Tensile strength; Ethylene oxide polymer; Cyclic ether polymer; Castor oil; Polyurethane; Plastics
• ISSN: 0021-955X; 1530-7999
• DOI: 10.1177/0021955X12445178

Polyols were synthesized from castor oil with diethanolamine and triethanolamine at the molar ratios from 1:1 M to 1:3 M with the total hydroxyl value and amino value in the range from 291 to 512 mg KOH/g. Bio-based rigid polyurethane foams with good mechanical properties, a high closed-cell content and the renewable content in the range from 25.0 to 35.6 wt% were obtained. Polyurethane coatings’ tensile strength and modulus of elasticity are higher for the samples obtained from castor oil/diethanolamine polyols, but the highest elongation at break is for the polyurethane from castor oil/triethanolamine polyols. In the temperature range from 150°C to 350°C, the polyurethanes from castor oil/triethanolamine have lower weight losses than the polyurethane from castor oil/diethanolamine polyols. The presence of polyethylene glycol enhances the degradability of the bio-based polyurethane foams in the presence of fungi.