Light Microscopy of Medium-Density Rigid Polyurethane Foams Filled with Nanoclay

Practical applications and mathematical modelling of the physical and mechanical properties of medium-density rigid polyurethane foams require knowledge of their structure. It is necessary to determine structural characteristics without destroying the foams and measuring each element. A methodology...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymers 2022-03, Vol.14 (6), p.1154
Main Authors: Beverte, Ilze, Cabulis, Ugis, Andersons, Janis, Kirpluks, Mikelis, Skruls, Vilis, Cabulis, Peteris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bubbles
Cutting
Diameters
Light
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Mechanical properties
Microscopy
Nanocomposites
Optical microscopy
Physical properties
Plastic foam
Polymers
Polyurethane foam
Probability density functions
Structural members
Struts
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Summary:Practical applications and mathematical modelling of the physical and mechanical properties of medium-density rigid polyurethane foams require knowledge of their structure. It is necessary to determine structural characteristics without destroying the foams and measuring each element. A methodology is described for the use of light microscopy on environmentally sustainable, medium-density rigid polyurethane foams (in the density region of ≈210-230 kg/m ), by the analysis of two types of light microscopy images: (1) Cutting surface images; and (2) Through-cutting surface images. The dimensions of structural elements of polyurethane foams, filled with the nanoclay Cloisite-30B at concentrations of 0.0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, and 5.0% from the mass of the filled reacting mixture, are estimated. Probability density functions of projections of bubbles' diameters and struts' length are determined using images in three mutually perpendicular planes. A mathematical model is developed for the restoration of the actual dimensions of bubbles' diameters using data of cutting circles' diameters. Intercalation and exfoliation of the filler's Cloisite-30B mono-layers is evaluated via the basal spacing by X-ray diffraction at a 5 wt.% concentration of nanoclay.
ISSN:2073-4360
2073-4360
DOI:10.3390/polym14061154