Physical Properties of New Polyurethanes Foams from Benzene Polyols Synthesized from Erucic Acid

High density triol-based polyurethane (PU) foams were developed from aromatic triol isomers prepared from erucic acid. The triol monomers were crosslinked with 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) into PU foams. The foam's properties were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The foams were analyzed for closed cell content and compression strength. The effect of the benzene ring in the polyol structure on the physical properties of these new PU foams was compared with high density foams made from aliphatic polyols originating from canola oil. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 3211-3217, 2010