Robust composites from PU foam glycolysis products
by Didya Iyer, Antonio Garcia IV, Mohammad Galadari, Riddhi Kaley, Vanessa Huaco and Samanvaya Srivastava, University of California, Los Angeles.
A preweighed quantity of naturally occurring inorganic microparticles was added to a measured volume of polyol and diisocyanate monomer (toluene diisocyanate [TDI] or isophorone diisocyanate [IPDI]). Polymerization catalyst (triethylamine) was added to the monomer mixture, and the final formulated composite mixture was vortex mixed to ensure adequate wetting of the microparticles to fabricate hybrid polyurethane clinoptilolite (PUC) composites. The composites were cured at room temperature (or 50°C) for a period of 24 hours. The flexural strength and strain capacities were determined by three-point bending tests.