Production of Flexible Polyurethane Foam using Soya Bean Oil and Palm Kernel Oil as Surfactant and Polyol Respectively

The use of local raw materials in industrial processes is an important aspect of technological development. These locally produced raw materials can be substituted for imported raw materials in different production and manufacturing processes. This study investigated the performance characteristics of polyurethane foams produced through partial to total substitution of imported constituents; surfactants (silicone oil) and polyol with locally produced soya bean oil and palm kernel oil. The produced polyurethane foam samples were taken through the required physical tests to investigate their degree of compatibility or otherwise with polyurethane foam produced using 100% imported polyol and silicone oil respectively.   The results of various physical tests established that palm kernel oil can be blended with polyol up to 20% formulations; also soya bean oil can be blended with silicone oil up to 20% formulations. This is because the polyurethane foams produced through these formulations compared favorably well at 20% substitution with foam produced using 100% imported polyol and silicone oil respectively while other formulations showed a wide variation from the standard recommended values. Keywords: Polyurethane, Soya bean oil, Palm kernel oil, Polyol and Silicone oil