VDC Multipolymer Nanocomposites in Polyurethane Foams

An approach was formulated whereby one of the VDC-based copolymers (RBl-201) would be dispersed in a PU foam formulation, and then crosslinked with the base PU. This approach naturally produces CO2, provides crosslinking of the copolymer, and disperses it in nanoscale as an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). 

We proceeded in using the toll manufactured RBI-201 material in hybrid PU/RB1-201 polymer foam formulation, and details of the foaming procedure is shown in Fig. 4.5.5. We noted that this toll manufactured RBl-201 was readily dispersed in THF and it can be reasonably dispersed in the polyol of the PU formulation. Thus, foam samples were made from the flow hybrid foaming process as well. The PU formulation employed was the so-called Tigerfoam system. 

PUFoam Microstructure containing coupled Zonyl , A domains 

In summary, it was found that hybrid 5 wt% RBI-201 in Tigerfoam is thermally superior over reference constituent materials, which seems to be due to a synergistic effect. Also, addition of the RBI-201 up to 5 wt% in the Tigerfoam did not result in significant deterioration of foam mechanical properties. Finally, foam samples contain 20-23 wt% volatiles. 

Polymer Residual volatiles present (wt%) Onset of polymer wt loss (°C) %wt loss after first heat to 100°C %wt loss after second heat to 200 °C Normalized polymer % wt retention 300°C NormaUzed polymer %wt retention 350°C 

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