This article reports an aramid pulp (AP) treated with two ionic liquids (IL), namely 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C 4 .Cl) and 1-carboxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (HO 2 C), and its use as a filler in reinforced rigid polyurethane foams (RPUF). The RPUF were incorporated with the treated AP at three weight fractions (c.a. 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%) and were produced by the free rising method. The results showed that the studied IL promoted a better interaction between the AP and the RPUF system, which increased the overall reactivity, imparting a higher cell anisotropy. This also yielded a positive effect in mechanical properties and thermal stability of the RPUF. Compared to the neat RPUF, outstanding increases of approximately 50 and 20% were achieved in compressive modulus and strength, respectively. In all, the use of IL promoted increased compatibility between matrix and reinforcement, especially that HO 2 C IL.
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