Flexible polyurethane foams modified with natural oil based polyols

Abstract

Polyols based on natural oils can be used in formulations of various polyurethane materials including foams with the cell structure and properties required for their typical applications. Vegetable oils such as rapeseed and palm oils were used as raw materials for preparing flexible polyurethane foams. The reference polyurethane systems were elaborated on the basis of petrochemical polyols. These formulations were modified with rapeseed and palm oil based polyols. The effects of such modifications on selected physical–mechanical properties of prepared foams are discussed. The application of both vegetable oil based polyols allowed to obtain the foams with higher ability for energy absorbing and better thermal stability.