Thermal and Mechanical Performance of PU Foam from Coconut-based Polyol with direct incorporation of n-octadecane
Miceh Rose D. Magdadaro (a*, b), Rolen Brian P. Rivera (a), Arnold A. Lubguban (b, c), Arnold C. Alguno (a, c, d)

a) Primier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines
*micehrose.magdadaro[at]g.msuiit.edu.ph
b) Bio-Products Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, 9200 Iligan City, Philippines
c) Center for Sustainable Polymers, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, 9200 Iligan City, Philippines
d) Physics Department, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City 9200, Philippines

Abstract

Varied amount of n-octadecane (0.2 wt% -1.2 wt%) as phase change material were incorporated into PU foam formulation to enhance the thermal and mechanical performance of PU foams from coconut-based polyol as insulation material application. The thermal properties of PU foams were studied using Heat Flow Meter (HFM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) while on the other hand the compressive strength of PU foams were characterized using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Furthermore, the physical properties of PU foams were studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used in identifying the functional groups of PU foams. Result showed that 0.6 wt% of n-octadecane have better thermal conductivity of 0.0299 (W/mK) and better compressive strength of 571.77 MPa that is comparable to building standard compared to other produced PU foams while 0.4 wt% of n-octadecane have highest melting point of 54.25. It can be observed that the produced PU foams exhibit closed cell walls however as the amount of n-octadecane increases more ruptured and anisotropic cells is observed. Furthermore, FTIR results showed that significant peaks at 2925 cm-1 and 2853 cm-1 which signifies CH2 asymmetric stretching indicating that n-octadecane was successfully incorporated into PU foam matrix.

Keywords: thermal conductivity, compressive strength, vegetable oil, bio-based polyol, PU foams, n-octadecane, phase change material

Topic: Material and Applied Chemistry