Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Carbon-Nanofiber Infused Polyurethane Foam

Abstract

In this study, thermal and mechanical properties of carbon nanofiber infused polyurethane foam were investigated. Low density liquid polyurethane foam composed of Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (Part A) and Polyol (Part B) was doped with carbon nanofibers (CNF). A high-intensity ultrasonic liquid processor was used to obtain a homogeneous mixture of Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate (Part A) and carbon nanofibers (CNF). The CNF were infused into the Part A of the polyurethane foam through sonic cavitation. The modified foams containing nanoparticles were mixed with Part B (Polyol) using a high-speed mechanical agitator. The mixture was then cast into pre-heated rectangular aluminum molds to form the nano-phased foam panels. Flexure, static and high strain rate compression, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were performed on neat, 0.2 wt%, 0.4 wt% and 0.6 wt% CNF filled polyurethane foam to identify the effect of adding CNF on the thermal and mechanical properties. The highest improvement on thermal and mechanical properties was obtained with 0.2 wt% loading of CNF. Morphology of the samples was studied through X-ray diffraction.