The goal of this study was to improve tailored mechanical properties of foam by incorporating different filler types. Flexible polyurethane foam thermosets with varying wt % of natural fibers were tested and characterized according to their mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties. The fillers used included lignin, chitin, chitosan, hazelnut shells, and polysaccharide, and the results were investigated to compare the effects of fillers on the foam properties. A morphological analysis showed good overall dispersion of chitin and hazelnut fillers and consequent improvements in tensile and tear strength of polyurethane foam. Additionally, these fillers helped increase resiliency while reducing foam hardness. Polysaccharide showed similar improvements in tensile results, while the tear strength decreased. However, lignin and chitosan reduced foam mechanical properties, which suggested low compatibility of these fillers (in pretreated form) with polyurethane foam. Based on the results, these fillers can be incorporated into polyurethane foam to fabricate more sustainable and ecofriendly thermoset polyurethane foams for industrial applications, such as the production of mattresses, car seats, and insulating material in construction or textile products, as well as in the cosmetic industry.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.