Environmental Concerns in Relation to Flexible Foam Density

1 Environmental Concerns in Relation to Flexible Foam Density 

By definition the production of a foam depends on the formation and stabilisation of gas bubbles in a liquid. That is true even for polyurethane foam when the additional curing of the liquid results in an elastic or rigid solid material. One of the central questions is how the gas bubbles are generated and how long this generation takes. 

With the use of ABA, both the available densities and the available foam hardnesses were lowered in comparison to the purely water blown foams, as in these cases gas volume was produced without generation of urea. Softening of foam was also achieved chemically, either with the use of an additive to change the urea morphology [13] or with the use of crosslinkers in combination with a low isocyanate index [14]. 

Review of the many production techniques reveals that the production of a broad range of flexible foam qualities with reduction of environmental hazards (ODP as well as GWP) is possible by numerous options. All of these current technologies offer benefits, but provide no clear economical solution for total ABA elimination. 

Within all the blowing agents available today, carbon dioxide probably offers the best combination of zero ODP, low GWP and low price. As it is abundant, it doesn t have to be generated. For capturing and transporting only a minor amount of energy is needed. Merely the point of emission is changed. On top of all that it is also non-flammable, which minimises safety concerns in the foam plant. 

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