PU Rigid Nanocomposite Foams Containing Plate-Like Nanofillers

Abstract

The closed-cellular morphology, mechanical properties, thermal insulation and stability, and flame retardant behavior of PU rigid nanocomposite foams (PURNCFs) can be improved in substantial extent by incorporating various plate-like nano-sized fillers during reactive foaming process. For plate-like nano-sized fillers, clay, graphene oxide and graphene can be given as the nano-filler examples that have been used as nano-sized additives in PURNCFs. However, among PURF/plate-like nano-sized filler published works, the most commonly investigated filler is nanoclay due to its outstanding properties compared to other types of plate-like nano-sized fillers. This chapter systematically analyzes important PURNCF/plate-like nano-sized filler works in detail by highlighting subtopics such as morphology, mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties, thermal degradation and flammability. In addition, besides using one type of nanofiller such as nanoclay in PURNCFs, the importance of utilizing mixtures containing nanoclay and another type of filler or flame retardant with distinct properties is highlighted in order to fabricate PURNCFs with superior properties. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.