Implication of post cure temperature to molded Polyurethane/ Calcium Carbonate foam

Abstract

Implication of post cure temperature to molded polyurethane foam/calcium carbonate foam was investigated. The polyurethane foam samples were prepared by few steps which was mixing, stirring, curing and post curing into oven at different temperature. Effect of post cure temperature, time and filler loading were compared based on its properties through testing and characterizations. Physical properties of foam was studied by using relative density test. Based on result, relative density of foam increased as post cure temperature and duration were increased up to optimum temperature at 100°C. Filled polyurethane foam had higher relative density compared to pure polyurethane foam due to increase of filler concentration and caused higher molecular weight. From the analysis of flexural test, mechanical properties such as flexural strength, modulus of elasticity and elongation at break of foam dropped when post cure temperature and duration were increased. Filled polyurethane foam has lower mechanical properties than pure polyurethane foam. Functional groups of polyurethane foam were analysed from Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It showed similar spectrum wavelength at varies post cure temperature and addition of filler. From the results of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), average cell size of filled polyurethane foam smaller than pure polyurethane foam. When post cure temperature and duration was risen, average cell size of foam decreased.