Abstract
Bio-based polyurethane foam (PUF) was synthesized by a one-shot polymerization using hydroxyl telechelic natural rubber (HTNR) and polycaprolactone (PCL) diols as a soft segment. The effect of HTNR/PCL diol molar ratio (1/0, 1/0.5, 1/1 and 0.5/1) on the foam formation rate and physical and mechanical properties of the resulting PUF was investigated. The formation of urethane linkage and cross-linked structure were confirmed by FTIR analysis. The foams observed by scanning electron microscope revealed to have almost closed cells. The molar ratio of HTNR/PCL diol affected the foam formation rate, the average diameter of cell, the regularity of cell shape, the elongation at break and the compressive strength. The foam density slightly changed with this molar ratio whereas the specific tensile strength of all samples was in the same range. All PUFs showed relatively high compression set. The biodegradability was assessed according to a modified Sturm test. Low density polyethylene and sodium benzoate were used as a negative and positive control sample, respectively. PUF samples showed an induction time of 33 days in which the percentage of biodegradation was ~7–11 %. At the end of testing (60 days), the highest degradation (45.6 %) was found in the sample containing 1/0.5 of HTNR/PCL diol molar ratio.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
