Glycolysis of the rigid PUR‐PIR foam modified with starch

Abstract

Introduction of natural fibbers and natural materials into plastics makes their biodegradation easier. Time of degradation of plastic wastes (also foams) in dump becomes shorter. In order to facilitate biodegradation of foams, starch in amount from 5% to 25% wt with respect to the mass of other components was introduced into polyurethane–polyisocyanurate (PUR‐PIR) foams. Starch is susceptible to the action of bacteria in soil and thus, to decomposition. Polyurethane foams can be subjected to easy chemical degradation in glycols. From among all PUR‐PIR foams prepared, one foam with optimum properties (S10 containing 10% wt of starch) was selected for further experiments. Then, the waste “original” foam S10 was subjected to glycolysis in diethylene glycol and ethanolamine (as catalyst). Glycolysate was applied for synthesis of “new” foams. Three foams GS10 containing 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 of chemical equivalent (ch.eq.) of glycolysate with respect to amount of the original polyol Rokopol RF 55 were prepared. Effect of the amount of glycolysis product in foam composition on properties on the “new” foams was studied. Foam W was used as a reference without starch (W). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Glycolysis of rigid polyurethane–polyisocyanurate foams with reduced flammability

“…Glycolysis was performed on the basis of previously experimentally selected glycolysing media. 23 It was found that the presence of ethanolamine accelerated decomposition of foam and it allows for significant reduction of reaction temperature. However, the use of diethylene glycol enables conducting the process with a considerable excess of foam.…”

The use of citric acid in the production of polyols for rigid PUR-PIR foams

“…The presented polymer waste management and utilization process allows for a decrease in the consumption of virgin materials and volatile amine catalysts. Czupryński et al [14][15][16] surrendered glycolysis of PUR-PIR rigid foam. Then, from the resulting glycolysis product he obtained new rigid foam, with superior strength and reduced brittleness.…”