Valorization of boron derivatives in polyurethane-based foams for reduced ignitability and thermal conductivity

Authors : Gökhan Gürlek, Lütfiye Altay

Pages : 163-172

Doi:10.30728/boron.1551164

View : 52 | Download : 80

Publication Date : 2024-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Polyurethane (PU) based materials have wide application areas, especially in the thermal insulation, construction, and automotive sectors, due to their properties such as thermal and electrical insulation, lightness, and high compressive strength. In addition, studies on converting boron and its derivatives into value-added products have gained importance. In this study, the mechanical, physical, thermal, and ignitability properties of the composite materials obtained by adding boron derivatives of different weight fractions into PU were examined. Boron derivatives such as ground ulexite (U), borax pentahydrate, borax decahydrate, and ground colemanite (Col) were added to PU at 1, 3 and 5% by weight. It was shown that the density, thermal conductivity and compression modulus values increase when boron derivatives are used in PU-based composites. At the same time, the addition of ground U or Col to the PU foam reduced the water absorption value and made a positive contribution to the water absorption capacity. The PU material with 5 wt % Col added produced the greatest results, whereas 3.14% was discovered to be the lowest water absorption capability. The addition of boron derivatives increased the ignitability properties of PU foam composites. In particular, ground U or borax pentahydrate fillers showed substantial improvement in ignitability tests of PU foam composites. U (1%) demonstrated exceptional performance, reducing the PU\\\'s self-extinguishing time from 2.96 to 0 s.
Keywords : Bor türevleri, Yanıcılık, Poliüretan, ısıl iletkenlik