ABSTRACT
A polyester polyol from castor oil, adipic acid and polyhydric alcohols for flexible polyurethane foams and cast urethane elastomers was developed.
Flexible polyurethane foams were prepared using the polyester polyol, TDI and auxiliary additives. Properties of the foams such as density, stiffness, hardness, permanent set, tensile strength, elongation at break, resilience and permeability were determined. The foams may be applied as sealing, damping, packaging and pipe insulating materials. They can also be used for laminating with fabrics and as upholstery but to a limited extent only. The castor oil based polyester polyol can also be added to formulations containing standard polyester polyols to lower the costs.
Cast urethane elastomers of various Shore hardness were prepared using the castor oil based polyester polyol, a diisocyanate (TDI or MDI), and various amounts and types of low molecular chain extenders (ethylene glycol, 1, 4-butanediol, glycerol). Formulations containing mixtures of the castor oil based polyester polyol and a commercial polyester polyol obtained from adipic acid and ethylene glycol were also tested. Mechanical properties of the elastomers such as tensile strength, elongation at break, abrasion resistance and Shore hardness were determined. Chemical resistance to various media (water, toluene, isopropanol, 1, 4-butanediol, butyl acetate) of the elastomers was also studied. The elastomers are intended for use as printing rollers and paint applicators.
