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.
Author Information
* Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
P. O. Box 10620, 50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
E-mail: norin@mpob.gov.my
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