Semi-rigid biopolyurethane foams based on palm-oil polyol and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals

Published Date

doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.06.008

Special Issue on Biocomposites

Author 

• Xiaojian Zhou ^a
• Mohini M. Sain ^a,b
• Kristiina Oksman ^a,b,,

• aDivision of Materials Science, Composite Centre Sweden, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden
• bCentre for Biocomposite and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto M5S 3B3, Canada

Available online 17 June 2015.

Abstract

In this study, water-blown biopolyurethane (BPU) foams based on palm oil were developed and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were incorporated to improve the mechanical properties of the foams. In addition, the foams were compared with petroleum polyurethane (PPU) foam. The foam properties and cellular morphology were characterized. The obtained results revealed that a low-density, semi-rigid BPU foam was prepared using a new formulation. CNC as an additive significantly improved the compressive strength from 54 to 117 kPa. Additionally, cyclic compression tests indicated that the addition of CNC increased the rigidity, leading to decreased deformation resilience. The dimensional stability of BPU foams was increased with increasing CNC concentration for both heating and freezing conditions.

Therefore, the developed BPU nanocomposite foams are expected to have great potential as core material in composite sandwich panels as well as in other construction materials.

Keywords

A. Foams

A. Nano-structures

B. Physical properties

B. Microstructure

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  Corresponding author at: Division of Materials Science, Composite Centre Sweden, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden. Tel.: +46 920 49 33 71.

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X15004376