Effect of Fillers on Mechanical, Thermal Properties and Combustion Resistance of Polyurethane Foam

Abstract

In this study, the mechanical and combustion properties of a polyurethane polymer were investigated as a function of the weight ratio of palm frond ash with a particle volume less than or equal to (125 μm). Several variables were investigated, including elongation, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, compressive strength, and rate of burning duration. The obtained results revealed that adding palm frond ash reduces the spaces between the polymeric chains, which reflect the polymer’s high ability to withstand the stress imposed on it, that the degree of homogeneity between each of the polymers and fillings is high. Results showed that adding 60% palm frond ash powder to the hardness combination resulted in an improvement of approximately (3.78 MPa). Moreover, the percentage 65% was recorded as the greatest value of the compressive strength of the polymer with the additive. Young’s modulus also best value is (1.71 MPa) at a ratio of 60%.