ABSTRACT
In this research, rigid polyurethane foams blown with HFC 134a, have been synthesized by hand mixing techniques, dissolving the gaseous blowing agent 134a in a co-blowing agent. This is a suitable liquid ether compound, dimethoxymethane, which can solubilize large amount of 134a.
We have studied the effect of foams formulations, in particular the nature of polyols, on blowing agent compatibility and on physical and mechanical properties of the polyurethane foams. Therefore several foams have been prepared employing different polyols, that is polyols both polyether and polyester, both aliphatic and aromatic. Foams blown with n-pentane, HCFC 141-b and HFC 365mfc have also been prepared for comparison.
All the polymers produced have been physically and mechanically characterized through evaluation of apparent density, thermal conductivity, compression strength and dimensional stability.
