Comparison of flexible polyurethane foams properties from different polymer polyether polyols.

Flexible polyurethane foams (FPUs) having polystyrene (PS) stabilized by silica gel or polystyrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) particles were synthesized employing polymer polyether polyols (PPPs). The filler and its content effect on physical, mechanical and thermal properties of FPUs were studied. The FPU thermal stability increased with PS content into PPP and no interaction filler-polymeric network was observed. Meanwhile, FPUs containing PS as filler were more thermally stable and mechanically resistant -except the elongation-than those from the commercial PPP containing SAN. Contrary to porosity and cell size, the density and hardness are function of the filler type and increase with the filler content although the hardness is practically constant from 10 wt%. Closed cell foams instead of tight foams were produced from filler contents higher than 15 wt%. Synthesized FPUs presented better hardness and density properties but worse mechanical properties than the commercial one. Finally, mechanical properties were similar than FPUs containing inorganic fillers. •Foams containing PPPs stabilized by silica gel were successfully synthesized. • The PPP with the smallest PS particles originated smaller and more homogeneous cell size. •PPP-PU showed higher thermal stability and hardness keeping the rest of properties •The maximum density value obtained was 41 kg/m3 employing 40 pph of PPP 43. •The PPP-PU foams satisfied the requirements to be applied in the automotive sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]