PU Rigid Composite Foams Containing Micron-Sized Fillers

Abstract

Using various micron-sized fillers with cylindirical, plate-like and spherical geometries in PU rigid foams enhances their closed-cellular morphology, mechanical properties, thermal insulation and stability, and flame retardant behavior. For cylindrical micron-sized fillers, synthetic and bio-based fibers can be given as the mostly used filler examples in PU rigid microcomposite foams (PURMCFs). Among plate-like micron-sized fillers, talc and expandable graphite can be given as the most popular additives that have been used in the fabrication of PURMCFs. For spherical micron-sized fillers, silica, calcium carbonate aluminum powder, glass powder, microspheres and carbon black can be given as examples that have been used as fillers in PURMCFs. This chapter systematically reviews important PURMCF works in detail by highlighting subtopics such as morphology, mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties, thermal degradation and flammability and recycling and recovery behavior. In addition, potential applications of PURMCFs containing various micron-sized fillers are discussed, and the main problems that are still not resolved and the future work about this important topic are addressed. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.