Polyurethane Foam: HNIPU
Half of the $6 billion annual market for polyurethane in Europe is occupied by foam and the European market is moving toward a ban on isocyanate use in the foam insulation and packaging industry and will require the use of non-isocyanate materials. Foamed HNIPU has similar properties as conventional polyurethane foam and has commenced testing to ensure the HNIPU foam meets industry standards. According to General Manager of EUROTECH's Advanced Performance Materials Division, HNIPU foam will about double the potential market for HNIPU.
Thermo stability and some properties of polymers
-hydroxyurethanes have low thermo stability. It may be explained by weakening of bond between carbonyl carbon and oxygen in urethane group due to the influence of OH-group.
The most interesting way of increasing thermostability of non-isocyanate polyurethane is using urethane glycols as "blocked" isocyanates. System is to be cured at 180 0C in the presence of a catalyst. Process of curing is as follows:
Coatings have high mechanical, dielectric properties, chemical resistance. All properties are equal to properties of conventional polyurethane by using isocyanates. It is possible to use aminosilanes and cyclocarbonates for preparing thermostable compounds. After curing "weak" bonds will be near hard segment and the compound will be stable to increased temperature.
Moreover, these materials are also useful as:
nonporous monolithic coatings, coverings and linings, which can be used for the corrosion protection and wear protection of concrete, metallic and wood surfaces; hydrolysis-stable and gasoline-stable sealants, which can be used for protection of electronic devices and their components, in aircraft and rocket construction and, mainly, for civil engineering applications; glues with high adhesion strength and longevity, which can be used for joining all types of materials, e.g., metals, ceramics, glass, etc.; reinforced and highly-filled polymers, which can be used for civil and chemical engineering applications.
Other potential areas where nonisocyanate polyurethane networks are useful include
Automotive applications
Bumpers, dashboards, seating, trim components, truck beds and repair putty.
Construction applications
Concrete additives, adhesives, coatings, coverings flooring, rooftops and crack barriers.
Marine applications
Coatings, bridge decks, paints, sealants
Aerospace industry
Airplane/rocket sealant, interior component, synthetic non burning foams
Consumer products
Appliances, footwear, furniture and toys.
The most distinct technical advantage of HNIPU is that while it has the mechanical properties of conventional PU (such as wear resistance, tensile strength, adhesion, elasticity, etc.) it also posses a higher chemical resistance comparable with epoxies that lack good mechanical properties. Having such a combination of properties in one material increases its potentiality enormously.
Sep 26th 2007 article
Thanks to Batshark!
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