Glycolysis of rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foams

Abstract

A rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foam (PUR-PIR) was synthesized. Then it was ground in a plastic shredder and a ball mill. The resulting milling product was then glycolysed in diethylene glycol with addition of ethanolamine and zinc stearate. The foam was added at consecutive stages in batches, so that the total amount of the foam at consecutive stages was 20, 40 and 60g. The resulting product of each stage was a brown liquid (WI, WII and WIII). Properties of these products were then investigated in order to determine their usability to synthesize new foams. It was found that the best reusable was the WIII glycolysate and adding it in various quantities 3 new foams (GW0.1, GW0.2 and GW0.3) were obtained. Properties of these foams were investigated and as a result usability of the glycolysates to produce PUR-PIR foams was stated.