Polyurethane foam manufacturing process

Industrially, silicone surfactants are used in a variety of processes including foam, textile, concrete and thermoplastic production, and applications include use as foam stabilisers, defoamers, emulsifiers, dispersants, wetters, adhesives, lubricants and release agents [1]. The ability of silicone surfactants to also function in organic media creates a unique niche for their use, such as in polyurethane foam manufacture and as additives to paints and oil-based formulations, whilst the ability to lower surface tension in aqueous solutions provides useful superwetting properties. The low biological risk associated with these compounds has also led to their use in cosmetics and personal care products [2]. 

Ammonia is used in the fibers and plastic industry as the source of nitrogen for the production of caprolactam, the monomer for nylon 6. Oxidation of propylene with ammonia gives acrylonitrile (qv), used for the manufacture of acryHc fibers, resins, and elastomers. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA), produced from ammonia and formaldehyde, is used in the manufacture of phenoHc thermosetting resins (see Phenolic resins). Toluene 2,4-cHisocyanate (TDI), employed in the production of polyurethane foam, indirectly consumes ammonia because nitric acid is a raw material in the TDI manufacturing process (see Amines Isocyanates). Urea, which is produced from ammonia, is used in the manufacture of urea—formaldehyde synthetic resins (see Amino resins). Melamine is produced by polymerization of dicyanodiamine and high pressure, high temperature pyrolysis of urea, both in the presence of ammonia (see Cyanamides). 

The one-shot polyethers now form the bulk of the flexible polyurethane foam now being manufactured. This is a result of the favourable economics of polyethers, particularly when reacted in a one-shot process, and because the polyethers generally produce foams of better cushioning characteristics. A typical formulation for producing a one-shot polyether foam will comprise... 

The tank is typically about sixteen inches in diameter and about four to five feet tall. The top of the tank is domed upward and the bottom of the tank is also domed upward in a concave manner. The outside of the tank is insulated with a polyurethane foam insulation that is squirted into the gap between the tank and a thinner sheet metal jacket. The polyurethane is made of two different components that react and harden when mixed. Included in the mixture is a blowing agent that causes the polyurethane to expand in a foam-like manner. Prior to about 1980, water heaters were insulated with fiberglass insulation. The foam insulation process was developed to allow automation and increased manufacturing speed and reduced costs. A side benefit was improved insulating ability leading to a slight increase in efficiency. 

Polyurethanes are manufactured by the mixing of various resins, isocyanates and catalysts to produce an exothermic reaction, which liberates the foaming agent and causes the mix to expand. They are made in large block molds as a batch process or are continuously foamed onto a paper or polythene substrate on a conveyor system. 

Toluene is used more commonly than the other BTXs as a commercial solvent. There are scores of solvent applications, though environmental constraints and health concerns diminish the enthusiasm for these uses. Toluene also is used to make toluene diisocyanate, the precursor to polyurethane foams. Other derivatives include phenol, benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid. Research continues on ways to use toluene in applications that now require benzene. The hope is that the dealkylation-to-benzene or disproportionation steps can be eliminated. Processes for manufacturing styrene and terephthalic acid—the precursor to polyester fiber—are good, commercial prospects. 

POLYMERIC SORBENTS are frequently used in environmental analytical schemes for the isolation and/or preconcentration of trace organic contaminants from air and water matrices. Commercially manufactured polymeric sorbents such as Amberlite XAD resins, Ambersorb XE resins, Tenax (diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide), and polyurethane foam (PUF) have been used extensively for the collection of trace organic contaminants from ambient air, process streams (i.e., flue gas), and a variety of aquatic matrices including industrial effluents, ground water, surface water, and potable water supplies. Currently, these materials... 

Physical Stabilization Process. Cellular polystyrene, the outstanding example polytvinyl chloride) copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile (SAN copolymers) and polyethylene can be manufactured by this process, Chemical Stabilization Processes. This method is more versatile and thus has been used successfully for more materials than the physical stabilization process. Chemical stabilization is more adaptable for condensation polymers than for vinyl polymers because of the fast yet controllable curing reactions and the absence of atmospheric inhibition. Foamed plastics produced by these processes include polyurethane foams, polyisocyanurates. and polyphenols. 

As for the mattress core, natural latex is the environmentally preferred stuffing, a rubber-tree product that can be sustainably sourced. Some mattresses are stuffed with a mix of natural and synthetic latex, as the latter substance is cheaper (although chemicals are added in the manufacturing process). Both choices are better than the polyurethane foam found in most conventional mattresses. Still other mattress cores have an innerspring system and batting, often cotton. In-nerspring mattresses are a popular crib choice some people think their firmness prevents SIDS. 

TG-MS is an ideal technique for identifying residual volatiles in polymers. The detection of residual volatiles (and of other impurities) can often yield clues as to manufacturing processes. In many cases, such as in the determination of highly volatile materials, of residual solvents or plasticisers, use of TG-MS is requested. Specifically, there are reports on the entrapment of curing volatiles in bismaleimide laminates [145] and elastomers [48], on the detection of a curing agent (dicumylperoxide) in EPDM rubbers and of bromine flame retardants in electronic waste [50], of plasticisers such as bambuterol hydrochloride [142] or TPP and diethylterephthalate in cellulose acetate [143], on solvent extraction and formaldehyde loss in phenolic resins [164], and on the evolution of toxic compounds from PVC and polyurethane foams [146]. 

The second widely used method for preparing polyurethane foam laminates is the liquid adhesive, or wet process. Here special adhesives, either in the form of water solutions, or as solutions in organic solvents, are applied to either the fabric or the foam. The equipment is conventional. The water or solvent is evaporated, and the bond may be set by drying or curing at elevated temperature (20). One of the adhesives used for this application is based on acrylic interpolymer latices. This adhesive is used in the manufacture of thermal garments and insulated bags. Carpet underlay can also be made by adhesive laminating (7). 

This book describes the chemistry, manufacture and use of the wide range of flexible polyurethane foams, from low-density open-cell upholstery foams to microcellular and reaction- injection-molded and reinforeed-reaction-injection-molded materials. The related effects of varying the raw-material chemistry and the production process and machinery on the properties and service performance of the final product are indicated. 

Approximately 80% of PU are manufactured as foams. Polyurethane foams are lightweight materials, consisting predominantly (>98%) of air (and gases in the case of closed-cell foams). Both the chemistry and the processing will have major effects on the final properties of the foam. Polyurethane foams can be used to form composites with almost all flexible or rigid facings. As the density of the foam increases, the suitability for demanding dynamic applications is improved. ... 

---