Polyurethane And Related Foams

Polyurethane and Related Foams: Chemistry and Technology is an in-depth examination of the current preparation, processing, and applications of polyurethanes (PURs) and other polymer foams. Drawing attention to novel raw materials, alternative blowing agents, and new processing methods, the book accentuates recent innovations that meet increasingly stringent environmental and fire safety regulations as well as higher quality products. Written by Dr. Kaneyoshi Ashida, a renowned pioneer of polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams, the book details the fundamental chemistry and material properties for each category of foams. The author presents mechanisms for chemical modification and foaming reactions, emphasizing the relationship between molecular design and enhanced physical properties. The latter half of the book focuses on polyurethane foams, the largest segment of the polyisocyanate-based foam industry. It contains a fully updated description of the chemistry, raw materials, manufacturing, formulations, analyses, and testing involved in producing a wide variety of progressive applications, including building materials. This book chronicles the scientific and technological evolution of preparation and processing methods for polyisocyanate-based foams. Polyurethane and Related Foams: Chemistry and Technology offers a clear and concise guide to the technologies, methods, and best practices that help the foam industry meet higher quality, health, and environmental standards.

Recycling of Polyurethane Foams introduces the main degradation/depolymerization processes and pathways of polyurethane foam materials, focusing on industrial case studies and academic reviews from recent research and development projects. The book can aid practitioners in understanding the basis of polymer degradation and its relationship with industrial processes, which can be of substantial value to industrial complexes the world over. The main pathways of polymer recycling via different routes and industrial schemes are detailed, covering all current techniques, including regrinding, rebinding, adhesive pressing and compression moulding of recovered PU materials that are then compared with depolymerization approaches. The book examines life cycle assessment and cost analysis associated with polyurethane foams waste management, showing the potential of various techniques. This book will help academics and researchers identify and improve on current depolymerization processes, and it will help industry sustainability professionals choose the appropriate approach for their own waste management systems, thus minimizing the costs and environmental impact of their PU-based end products. Offers a comprehensive review of all polyurethane foam recycling processes, including both chemical and mechanical approaches Assesses the potential of each recycling process Helps industry-based practitioners decide which approach to take to minimize the cost and environmental impact of their end product Enables academics and researchers to identify and improve upon current processes of degradation and depolymerization

Flexible and viscoelastic polyurethane foams have enormous potential as viable business ventures and have replaced many traditional materials used in everyday life. This book describes the chemistry of flexible and viscoelastic polyurethane foams as well as calculations and formulating methodology for quality production. The author presents detailed information on foam manufacturing, based on over 45 years of hands-on industry experience.

This Handbook reviews the chemistry, manufacturing methods, properties and applications of the synthetic polymer foams used in most applications. In addition, a chapter is included on the fundamental principles, which apply to all polymer foams. There is also a chapter on the blowing agents used to expand polymers and a chapter is on microcellular foams - a relatively new development where applications are still being explored.

The purpose of this book is to present in a monographic and systematised form a review of all the literature devoted to polyurethane-based polymeric sorbents in separation chemistry. The primary types of sorbents dealt with are polyurethane foams and open-pore polyurethanes. The structure of the monograph follows this dichotomy. A book of this nature should stimulate thinking and incite its reader to consult the original literature. It will, however, not make such a consultation superfluous. A fair amount of the results described in this monograph constitute the main activity of investigation which took place in the authors laboratories during the past decade.

Polyurethanes are very versatile and exciting materials of the plastics family. Although there are many types, the flexible and viscoelastic foams have opened up vast possibilities as viable business ventures and expanding applications, and have established themselves as an essential part of daily life, replacing traditional materials over the years. This book imparts a sound knowledge of flexible and viscoelastic polyurethane foams from their chemistry to calculations and formulating methodology for quality production. The author presents very valuable detailed information on foam manufacturing based on more than 40 years hands-on experience in the local and international situations. The detailed presentation of two manufacturing setups will greatly benefit entrepreneurs, medium-volume producers and large-volume manufacturers. For entrepreneurs, the innovative low-cost startup, high-profit, tried and tested methods will be very encouraging. The medium-to-large-volume producers will find the information provided interesting and practical to solve the inherent problems of excess wastage, better process control and plant efficiency, thereby enhancing profitability. Due to global environmental concerns, as polyurethane chemical components move from petroleum sources to bio-based renewable resources, developers are facing interesting challenges. For continued profitable production, challenges facing the foam machinery manufacturers will be to offer cost-effective, highly efficient and compatible machinery to producers. This book provides practical guidance in all aspects of the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foams, and is an ideal information source for students, teachers, producers and entrepreneurs.