Classic PU Patent of the Month: The First Polyether Foams (1951)

Title: Verfahren zur Herstellung von Kunststoffen

 Number/Link: DE974371 (German)

Applicant/Assignee: Bayer AG

Publication date: 12-08-1960

Gist”: A prepolymer from a polyether polyol and an excess of isocyanate is reacted with water to produce an elastomeric  foam.

Why it is interesting: This patent specifies the first polyether prepolymers and polyether  foams as invented by Otto Bayer and co-workers.  In the examples an all-EO, 4000 MW triol, prepared from trimethylolpropane and  ethylene oxide is reacted with a surplus of TDI resulting in a 3.2% NCO prepolymer.  This prepolymer is reacted with water to form either elastomeric films or elastomeric (flexible) foams. There are only two claims, the first covering  polyether prepolymers, the second covering both “one-shot” and “full prepolymer” water-blown polyether foams:

PATENTANSPRÜCHE:

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung von Kunststoffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daβ Polyglykolather mit
einem Molekulargewicht von mindestens 500 und
mindestens zwei endstandigen Hydroxylgruppen
mit einem Übersehuβ über die berechnete Menge
an polyfunktionellen aliphatischen oder aromatischen
Isocyanaten und die erhaltenen Polyglykolätherisocyanate
mit Verbindungen mit reaktionsfahigem Wasserstoff
umgesetzt werden.

2. Ausführungsform des Verfahrens nach Anspruch
1, insbesondere zur Herstellung von Schaumstoffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daβ als Verbindung
mit reaktionsfahigem Wasserstoff Wasser verwendet
wird und die Umsetzung mit Wasser gleichzeitig
mit der oder anschlieβend an die Umsetzung
der Polyglykolather und polyfunktionellen
Isocyanate erfolgt.

Dr. Otto Bayer

Dr. Otto Bayer

Polyurea ‘Nano’-Particles to Improve Properties of Polyurethane Flexible Foams and Elastomers

Title: USE OF POLYUREA NANOPARTICLES AS PERFORMANCE MODIFIERS IN POLYURETHANE MATERIALS

 Number/Link: WO2014/012769

Applicant/Assignee: Huntsman

Publication date: 23-01-2014

Gist”: A dispersion of polyurea particles prepared from 4,4′ MDI, diamine chain extender and a high mole weight monoamine is used to improve mechanical properties of flex foam.

Why it is interesting: Dispersions of polyurea particles with an average diameter of a few hundred nanometer and a Tg>150°C (pref.) can be produced by first reacting a relatively high MW polyether monoamine and a di-isocyanate (optionally dispersed in e.g. polyol) and subsequently adding a diamine chain extender. The dispersion is then used in a flexible foam or elastomer formulation, such that the amount of particles in the material is about 1-5% (w/w). In an example a 2000MW EO/PO monoamine was used together with 4,4′-MDI and a diamine chain extender to produce a particle dispersion in polyol, which was then used in polyurethane formulations. The particles do seem to have a positive effect on mechanical properties, however, the results for flex foam are clouded because of a sharp increase in material density compared to the reference. This density increase may well be due to a cellopening effect as described in WO2007/104623  in which a similar particle dispersion is used.

Polyethermonoamine as used in the invention.

Polyethermonoamine as used in the invention.

Classic PU Patent of the Month: “Hypersoft” Flexible Foams (1971)

Title: PROCESS FOR OBTAINING POLYURETHANE FOAMS

 Number/Link: GB1381925

Applicant/Assignee: PECHINEY UGINE KUHLMANN

Publication date: 29-01-1975   (priority FR – 1971)

Gist”: Very soft hydrophilic flexible foam is made from TDI and a combination of a high EO polyol and a ‘conventional’ (hot cure) polyol.

Why it is interesting: Very soft – so called “hypersoft” – foams were prepared form TDI 80/20 and  a mixture of polyols consisting of a random 75% EO -25% PO triol and a block 90% PO – 10% EO triol in a ratio of 85:15. (about).  The foams were all-water blown and had densities of below 30 kg/m³, which was exceptional for the time.

Pechiney Logo.

Pechiney Logo.

  • Pages

  • Categories

  • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 259 other subscribers
  • Follow Innovation in PU on Twitter