Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles on compression behavior of flexible polyurethane foam

• Published in: Polymer bulletin (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2019-01, Vol.76 (1), p.227-239
• Main Authors: Moghim, Mohammad Hadi, Keshavarz, Mozhgan, Zebarjad, Seyed Mojtaba
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Compressive properties; Crack propagation; Deformation; Densification; Load; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Organic Chemistry; Original Paper; Photomicrographs; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Polyurethane foam; Scanning electron microscopy; Silicon dioxide; Soft and Granular Matter; Strain rate; Temperature
• ISSN: 0170-0839; 1436-2449
• DOI: 10.1007/s00289-018-2384-0

In the current study, flexible polyurethane foam was reinforced with different contents of SiO 2 nanoparticles (0.5–2 wt%). Compression test was performed in a range of strain rates (1–20 min −1 ), and compression set test was also done at different temperatures. Results showed that addition of SiO 2 nanoparticles improved compression properties of PU foam and the sample with 0.5 wt% SiO 2 nanoparticles exhibited the highest mechanical performance with about 180 and 40% improvements in the compressive plateau and densification stress. Strain rate was showing a positive effect on these parameters with the enhancements of 360 and 90%. It was also shown that the temperature had a remarkable effect on compression set behavior of nanocomposite as the values change from 0.5% at − 20 °C to near 79% at 100 °C. Finally, microscopy micrographs confirmed the appearance of larger cell pores and a greater tendency for incomplete cell opening with increasing SiO 2 content.