Abstract: The present invention provides polyurethane foams and elastomers made with an alkoxylated vegetable oil hydroxylate replacing at least a portion of the typically used petroleum-based polyol(s). Also provided are processes for making the inventive foams and elastomers and for making alkoxylated vegetable oil hydroxylates. The alkoxylated vegetable oil hydroxylates are environmentally-friendly, bio-based polyols which advantageously also offer the potential of improved hydrophobicity in polyurethane foams and elastomers. The inventive polyurethane foams and elastomers may find use in a wide variety of products such as automobile interior parts, polyurethane structural foams, floor coatings and athletic running tracks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved isocyanate reactive mixture containing at least one DMC-catalyzed polyol and about 0.25 to about 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the isocyanate-reactive mixture, of at least one ethylene oxide (EO) containing water compatibilizer. The isocyanate reactive mixtures of the present invention may find use in the preparation of polyurethane foams, coatings, elastomers, sealants, adhesives and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active hydrogen-containing composition suitable for the production of flexible polyurethane foam when reacted with a polyisocyanate, said composition comprising,(a) a polyol having an average functionality of about 2.0 to about 4.0, and an equivalent weight in the range of from about 500 to about 5000;(b) from about 0.5 to about 5 parts, per 100 parts by weight of component (a), of a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, methylene bis(o-chloroaniline) and mixtures thereof; and(c) from about 0.3 to about 15 parts per 100 parts by weight of component (a), of a compound having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, at least two of which are secondary hydroxyl groups; and an equivalent weight of less than about 500;as well as flexible polyurethane foams prepared therefrom.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a poly-urethane and/or -urea foam from a formulation including (a) a polyisocyanate, (b) an isocyanate-reactive component, and (c) a visible emissions producing component, wherein (a), (b) and (e) are reacted under reaction conditions sufficient to form a poly-urethane and/or -urea foam and the foam is then cooled, whereby visible emissions are emitted during cooling, an improvement comprising including in the formulation a visible emissions reducing agent, such that the amount of the visible emissions is reduced as compared with the amount emitted by a foam prepared from a formulation which does not contain the visible emissions reducing agent but which is otherwise substantially similar. Foams prepared therefrom exhibit reduction in visible emissions during the cure period, which is particularly evident when the foams are mechanically cooled. They also exhibit generally good physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention refers to isocyanate-reactive compositions containing hindered phenolic antioxidants having a molecular weight of at least 700. These compositions, when used to prepare flexible polyurethane foams, especially slabstock foam, provide foams which exhibit a significant reduction of scorch.