Polyurethanes from Hybrid Vegetable Oil/Petrochemical Polyester Polyols

The synthesis and properties of a new family of hybrid vegetable oil-petrochemical polyester polyols and polyurethanes are described. Polyols are polyesters of vegetable oil polyols (castor oil, soybean polyol) with organic diacids (adipic, azelaic and sebacic acid) and glycols (diethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-propanediol and 1,3-propanediol). Depending on the nature of diacids or glycols, the bio content of the polyester polyols studied varied from 30 at 100%. Polyols were used to make cast polyurethane elastomers and flexible polyurethane foams with good physical and mechanical properties. Hybrid polyester polyols are also suitable for applications of other elastic polyurethanes such as coatings, adhesives and sealants.