Modification of rigid polyurethane foams using polystyrene

Polyurethanes, the major polymer in plastic industry, have recently noticed a significant growth in production connected with intensive research and development. In order to obtain polyurethane rigid foams with enhanced properties new polyurethane foam was prepared based on modified raw materials. First, polyol component was prepared by adding polystyrene solution into the ethyl acetate and intimate mixing to obtain polystyrene dispertion in the polyol matrix. The second step was the foaming process. It was observed that polystyrene takes the form of fibres and the morphology of the foams lies between the polymer blend form and interpenetrating polymer networks. The orientation of polystyrene fibres during foaming process was also investigated. Experiments revealed that addition of the modifier has a big influence on physical and mechanical properties of obtained foams. It was also found that water absorptivity and compressive strength depends on modifier quantity and intensity of mixing.