This paper describes the effect of triethanolamine (TEA) on the properties, especially the strength properties, of flexible polyurethane foams produced from two palm-based polyols and modified methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). A commercial sample (visco elastic foam, CF1) was used as the control. The properties evaluated were tack free time, density, percentage open-cell content, relative energy absorption, compressive stress and tear strength. The results were compared to a commercial sample. Incorporation of TEA improved the tack free time, percentage open-cell content and softness of the foams but not the tear strength. The foams formulated from polyol RD-PG31 had better properties than those from mixed polyol (50:50 RD-PG31:RD-PG51). The palm-based visco elastic foams are suitable for applications which require good dampening but in which strength is not of paramount importance, such as packaging and shock-absorption.

Keywords: flexible polyurethane foams, lazy foam, palm oil, polyol, triethanolamine