Renewable natural resources reinforced polyurethane foam for use of lightweight thermal insulation

Abstract

To obtain the energy-saving and environment-friendly lightweight bio-based thermal insulation, polyurethane matrix was incorporated with wood fiber, bamboo fiber, rice husk and liquefied polyol at different percentages (25%, 30%, and 35%). The results revealed that the apparent density for the natural fibers reinforced thermal polyurethane insulation was between 105 kg.m-3 and 178 kg.m-3 by adding 35% of the fibers into the polyurethane matrix. The thermal conductivity of the bio-based thermal insulation ranged from 0.045 to 0.065 W.m-1K-1, the addition of the natural fibers increased mechanical strength. The prepared bio-based insulation showed great potential for building thermal insulations with particularly low thermal conductivity (less than 0.065 W.m-1K-1) and self-bearing strength.