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Scientific approach to the question “Why natural oil-based polyols affect the physical properties of conventional slabstock foam”
von Dr. Annegret Terheiden, Dr. Roland Hubel
Over the past decade there has been growing interest in natural oil-based polyols (NOPs) and their use as raw materials in the manufacturing of conventional slabstock PU foams. Since most NOPs are based on fatty acid triglycerides, they provide different solubility characteristics compared to conventional polyether polyols. Furthermore, they show a different reactivity regarding the gelling reaction which is mainly related to the steric hindrance of the hydroxylic groups.
Due to the different chemical nature of NOPs, their addition to standard formulations for conventional slabstock foam is often accompanied by changes in the processing and the physical properties of the final foam. Some of these changes such as rise profile or air permeability can be addressed by optimising the catalysis.
Other physical properties such as ball rebound or elongation at break often cannot be improved. This paper provides a scientific study on why NOPs affect the foam physical properties focusing on physico-chemical aspects. Research results regarding their impact on glass transition temperature as well as compatibility and reactivity characteristics are presented. Based on these results countermeasures to enhance the foam physical properties are discussed.