Water-blown flexible polyurethane foam extended with biomass materials

Abstract

Soy protein isolate, soy fiber, and cornstarch (0–40% polyether polyol) were incorporated into a flexible polyurethane foam formulation. Stress–strain curves of the control foam and foams containing 10–20% biomass material exhibit a considerable plateau stress region but not for foams extended with 30–40% biomass materials. An increase in biomass material percentage increases foam density. An increase in initial water content decreases foam density. Foams extended with 30% soy protein isolate, as well as foams extended with 30% soy fiber, have notably greater resilience values than all other extended foams. The comfort factor increases with increasing percentage of biomass material in foam formulation. Foams containing 10–40% biomass materials display significantly lower values in compression-set than the control foam. &copy 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65: 695–703, 1997