Characterization of Polyurethane Foam Waste for Reuse in Eco-Efficient Building Materials

Abstract

In the European Union, the demand for polyurethane is continually growing. In 2017, the estimated value of polyurethane production was 700,400 Tn, of which 27.3% is taken to landfill, which causes an environmental problem. In this paper, the behaviour of various polyurethane foams from the waste of different types of industries will be analyzed with the aim of assessing their potential use in construction materials. To achieve this, the wastes were chemically tested by means of CHNS, TGA, and leaching tests. They were tested microstructurally by means of SEM. The processing parameters of the waste was calculated after identifying its granulometry and its physical properties i.e., density and water absorption capacity. In addition, the possibility of incorporating these wastes in plaster matrices was studied by determining their rendering in an operational context, finding out their mechanical resistance to flexion and compression at seven days, their reaction to fire as well as their weight per unit of area, and their thermal behaviour. The results show that in all cases, the waste is inert and does not undergo leaching. The generation process of the waste determines the foam’s microstructure in addition to its physical-chemical properties, which directly affect building materials in which they are included, thus offering different ways in which they can be applied.

Closed Cell Rigid Polyurethane Foams Based on Low Functionality Polyols: Research of Dimensional Stability and Standardised Performance Properties

“…With an increase in the product density from 30 to 40 kg/m 3 , the average content of closed cells is reduced by 4.5%, while the short-term water absorption and water vapor resistance factor increase by 38% and 118%, respectively. Additionally, the difference in the percentage of closed cell contents may be the key factor for increased water absorption and water vapor resistance factors, as it has been shown in a few studies [48,49]. However, the obtained results are in excellent agreement with those for similar products existing on the market.…”

Reduced Vibrations and Noise During Grinding

“…Waste polyurethane foams found in many everyday products should be recovered and re-used for ecological and economic reasons. Waste may be a raw material for the production of new products or be a partial substitute for the original raw material (Gómez-Rojo et al, 2019). In the area of occupational safety, primary products as well as those obtained from waste flexible and rigid foams used as secondary foamed polyurethane foams, as vibration and noise damping mats in production halls and in car cabs, floor insulation mats in production halls and acoustic insulation in soundabsorbing screens .…”

Energy Utilization of Building Insulation Waste Expanded Polystyrene: Pyrolysis Kinetic Estimation by a New Comprehensive Method

“…Furthermore, EPS is not biodegradable [ 8 ] and is one of the most intractable substances to be treated in municipal solid waste [ 9 ]. There are many methods to dispose of solid waste, such as landfill [ 10 ], incineration [ 11 ] and pyrolysis [ 12 ]. However, EPS is generally not suitable for landfill and is also prohibited from incineration [ 9 ].…”