Microwave Synthesis of Polyols for Urethane Materials

The preparation of polyurethane (PU) polyols processed with the use of microwave (MW) irradiation heating polyols is reported. The PU polyols were consisted from bio-based rapeseed oil (RO) and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) components are reported. Obtained MW polyols were compared to the conventional PU polyols synthesized by traditional heating in oil bath. The polyols have the similar properties. The obtained MW assisted polyols were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurements. Acid number, hydroxyl value, moisture content and viscosity of the MW synthesized polyols were measured. The obtained polyols consisted from about 34% RO and 23% PET components. The advantages of the very fast reaction rate for preparation of PU polyols, by using MW instead of the conventional heating process, are shown

Mechanical Properties of a Rigid Polyurethane/Montmorillonite Composite Prepared By Using a Biopolyol

The preparation of specimens from a rigid polyurethane containing montmorillonite (MMT) particles as a filler is described. The specimens were fabricated employing a biopolyol synthesized from rapeseed oil. The investigation of their structure was performed by using the X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermomechanical properties of the specimens were determined by means of a dynamic mechanical analysis at temperatures varying from 20 to 160°C. Experimental data on the influence of MMT additions on the mechanical properties (hardness, strength, elastic modulus, ultimate elongation, and creep) of the composite are obtained. A theoretical analysis of elastic properties of the composite is carried out by using the Mori–Tanaka theory of an equivalent medium. The calculation results are compared with experimental data