Effect of a Nanoclay on the Mechanical, Thermal and Flame Retardant Properties of Rigid Polyurethane Foam

Abstract

Abstract Water blown rigid polyurethane foams (PUF) with organoclay/organically modified nanoclay (ONC) were prepared and their properties such as density, mechanical, morphological, insulation, thermal and flame retardant properties were studied. In this investigation, the ONC content was varied from 1 to 10 parts per hundred of polyol (php) by weight. It was observed that the compressive strength of ONC filled PUF increased up to 3 php of ONC loading and then it decreased. Wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies indicated the exfoliated dispersion of ONC in PUF. The thermal conductivity of ONC filled PUF decreases up to 5 php and then increases. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of PUF decreases on loading of ONC. The TGA analysis shows that there is slight increase in degradation temperature with increase in ONC loading. The flame retardant properties (LOI and flame spread rate) are improved slightly on addition (3 php) of ONC filled PUF. Keywords: Nanoclaypolyurethane foamcompressive strengthmorphologythermal propertiesflame retardant properties Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), Mumbai, India for the financial assistance. Thanks are due to Huntsman International Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India; Southern Clay Products; Gonzales, TX, USA and to Goldschmidt, Germany for providing the necessary raw materials. Notes ∗ Represents as parts per hundred of polyols (php) by weight.