Properties of the polyurethane (PU) light foams

The report presents results of laboratory investigations made on the PU foams. Mechanical properties of foams have been measured in compression tests for two foams of 16 kg/m3 and 62 kg/m3 density, and in tension and shearing tests for foam of 62 kg/m3 density. PU foams have shown anisotropic properties as measured in parallel and perpendicular direction to the foam rise. Three directional values of Poisson’s ratios in tension have been determined for foam of 62 kg/m3 density. The fatigue tests have been made for foam of 62 kg/m3 density, at 10,000 cycles of loading and unloading of mass cargo barge. Reduction in buoyancy for both foams after 7 and 30 days of immersion in water has been shown to occur to some extent. The burning tests were performed for foam of 62 kg/m3 density showing good behaviour.