Investigation on the influence of waste-based fillers on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of rigid polyurethane foams

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to analyze the impact of incorporating coal powder particles at different weight ratios (5, 10, 15, 25, and 35) on the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity coefficient of the polyurethane polymer. The thermal conductivity coefficient of the samples was calculated using Holmarc's Lee's Disc apparatus device. The mechanical properties like compressive, tensile, and bending strengths were measured using a universal machine. The results indicated that increasing the coal powder ratio leads to an improvement in the thermal insulation ability due to a decrease in the value of thermal conductivity. Also, the addition of these percentages led to a rise in the values of the mechanical qualities represented by the compressive strength, especially at the ratio of 25 wt. %, with a value equal to 2.79 MPa (MPa). The flexural resistance and tensile strength increase at a ratio of 35 wt. %, with values equal to 20.4 MPa and 2.86 MPa respectively. The results indicate that the addition of coal powder enhances the ability of thermal conductivity at the ratios (5 %, 10) wt. %, with values equal to 0.119 W/m ºC and 0.114 W/m ºC, respectively, by increasing the thermal conductivities of the samples. The aim of this study is, investigate the effect of filler used coal powder waste on the mechanical and thermal properties of PU. The filler materials show the advantages of recycling waste. Filler influences the morphology and strengthens the brittleness. Additionally, the technology of polyurethane materials conforms to the use of coal powder. The overall amount of energy used to produce PU composites is decreased when waste of filler is used to partially replace petrochemical components