PU Rigid Nanocomposite Foams Containing Cylindrical Nanofillers

Abstract

The incorporation of nanocylindrical particles in the form of nanotubes and nanofibers into PURFs improves their closed-cellular morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability and flame retardant behavior. For cylindrical nano-sized fillers, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers and bio-based cellulosic nanofibers can be given as the nanocylinder examples that have been used as nano-sized fillers in PURNCFs. However, among PURF/cylindrical nano-sized filler studies that were published in the literature, the most extensively researched additive material is carbon nanotubes (CNTs) due to their outstanding properties in comparison with other types of nano-sized cylindrical particles. This chapter specifically investigates major PURNCF/cylindrical 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 CNTs in PURNCFs, the importance of utilizing nanofiller mixture systems consisting of CNTs and another type of nanofiller with distinct properties is emphasized in order to fabricate PURNCFs with superior properties. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.