Shape memory effects of molded flexible polyurethane foam

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 2486 - 2491
• Main Authors: Lee, Sung Ho, Jang, Moon Kyoung, Hee Kim, Sung, Kim, Byung Kyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.12.2007; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; General and physical chemistry; General equipment and techniques; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Properties and testing; Servo and control equipment; robots; Technology of polymers; Testing and control; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Water; Cell structure; Ester polymer; Organometallic compound; Natural rubber; Blowing; Cellular plastic; Hand; Porous material; Organic diisocyanate; Shape memory effect; Content; Polyurethane; Plastics; Molecular mass; Catalyst; Mold; Closed cell porosity
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/16/6/052

Polyurethane flexible foam having shape memory effects has been synthesized from polyester polyol and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) following the quasi-prepolymer method in the presence of water as the blowing agent, and the effect of the organometallic catalyst and the molecular weight of polyol has been studied. It was found that the closed cell content, foam density, rubbery modulus, compression set, and shape fixability increased with increasing amounts of organometallic catalyst and decreasing molecular weight of polyol, whereas the cell size showed the opposite tendency. On the other hand, the shape recoverability of the foam was over 99% regardless of the catalyst content and molecular weight of polyol.