Potential analysis of CO2-based, crosslinkable polyols for polyurethane components

摘要

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can be an attractive alternative to the utilization of fossil-based resources in polymer production. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that significant amounts of CO2 can be covalently bound into the polymer backbone of polyols, if suitable catalysts are used. By building in CO2 and other monomers, the molecular structure can be modified in a way that the spectrum of properties of the polyol and polyurethanes made thereof can be extended compared to conventional polyurethane (PU) systems. In order to analyse the potential of CO2-based polyols for PU components, the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) at RWTH Aachen University and Covestro AG, Leverkusen, Germany, carried out a comprehensive analysis of product properties of novel CO2 polyols in the framework of a publicly funded research project. Using a commercial isocyanate as reaction partner, more than 30 different polyols were analysed with regard to their processing characteristics and material properties of the PU. Empirical formulas were derived to predict these properties. A set of suited polyols was chosen for more in-depth analyses, for which the composition of polyols and crosslinkers was varied. The resulting polyurethanes were characterized regarding hardness, tensile properties, bursting pressure and damping properties (rebound capacity). This publication presents an evaluation of CO2-borne PU for compact damping elements.