Optimum Calcium Carbonate Filler Concentration for Flexible Polyurethane Foam Composite

M. A. Usman, S. O. Adeosun, G. O. Osifeso

Department of Chemical Engineering University of Lagos, Akoka –Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria..
Department of Chemical Engineering,University of Lagos, Akoka –Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria..
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,University of Lagos, Akoka –Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria..

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2012.113023                

Abstract

The production cost of flexible polyurethane foam is significantly dependent on the cost of polyol, which constitute the largest percentage of materials used in foam production with the characteracterics to induce superior mechanical properties. Suitable fillers that are relatively cheap can be introduced in the foam matrix as replacement for polyol. However, certain compositions of filler have deleterious effect on some relevant mechanical properties of the foam. This paper investigates the effect of CaCO₃ filler in flexible polyurethane foam matrix for the dual purposes of achieving sustained mechanical properties and reduction in production cost. The optimum CaCO₃ composition was found to be 20 wt % representing a concomitant 18.54% reduction in cost of production.

Keywords

polyurethane, CaCO₃, tensile strength, elongation at break, indentation hardness.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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