Influence of Expandable Graphite and Aluminium Hydroxide on Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Foam

Abstract

In this research, the influence of expendable graphite (EG) and aluminium hydroxide (ATH) on mechanical properties of polyurethane composite were investigated. Polyurethane foam was prepared by using oil palm based polyurethane with ratio 1:1.1 and mechanical properties was evaluated by compression test. Results shows that the addition of expendable graphite and aluminium hydroxide into polyurethane had improved the compression strength compared to polyurethane composite without additif. SEM micrograph shows the present of expendable graphite in the polyurethane cell wall which help to improve the mechanical properties. Especially, the compression strength at 10% EG/2% ATH loading sharply inproved by 66% over polyurethane foam.