TENSILE, COMPRESSIVE, AND SHEAR PROPERTIES OF A 64-kg/m3 POLYURETHANE FOAM AT LOW TEMPERATURES.

Abstract

Polyurethane foams are used in many structural as well as insulating applications in which knowledge of material performance in extreme environments (e. g. , at liquefied natural gas, liquid nitrogen, and liquid helium temperatures) is essential. Accurate data, predictive capability, and standardized methods and materials improve the selection and development of materials for these applications. The mechanical properties reported here are part of a broader effort to understand and predict the thermal and mechanical behavior of expanded plastics in cryogenic environments.