The influence of carbon fillers on the thermal properties of polyurethane foam

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of different types of carbon filler on the thermal stability and flammability of rigid polyurethane foams. As a filler, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphite fakes were used. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the structure of foam and dispersion of nanofiller in polymer matrix. Thermal stability of these composites was determined by thermogravimetry analysis. Test was carried out under both nitrogen and air atmosphere. The degradation products were evaluated by thermogravimetry (TG) combined with infrared spectroscopy (TG-IR) measurements. The activation energy was measured by the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method from the TG curves. Flammability tests like limiting oxygen index and smoke density were also measured. No significant changes in the thermal stability of the composites were observed. The activation energy of sample containing carbon filler increased. Based on TG-IR, one can notice that there were no differences in the emitted volatile products during thermal degradation. Carbon filler enhanced fire retardancy of polyurethane foam; however, graphite gives better results.