Abstract: A method of applying a urethane material to a vehicle substrate that includes the steps of: providing a vehicle substrate; and applying a urethane material to the vehicle substrate where the urethane material typically includes the reaction product of an A-side that includes an isocyanate and a B-side that typically includes a blown soy oil, at least one polyol at least partially derived from petroleum, and a cross-linker. A vehicle composite that typically includes the vehicle substrate and the urethane material.

Abstract: A method for producing a vegetable oil-derived polyol having increased hydroxyl functionality by reacting a vegetable oil with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an organometallic catalyst is provided. The resulting higher functionality polyols derived from vegetable oil produced by the process are also provided. Also provided is a method for decreasing the acid value of a vegetable oil-derived polyol by reacting the vegetable oil-derived polyol with an epoxide component in the presence of a Lewis base catalyst. Urethane products produced using higher functional vegetable oil-derived polyols and/or lower acid vegetable oil-derived polyols are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a vegetable oil-derived polyol having increased hydroxyl functionality by reacting a vegetable oil with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an organometallic catalyst is provided. The resulting higher functionality polyols derived from vegetable oil produced by the process are also provided. Also provided is a method for decreasing the acid value of a vegetable oil-derived polyol by reacting the vegetable oil-derived polyol with an epoxide component in the presence of a Lewis base catalyst. Urethane products produced using higher functional vegetable oil-derived polyols and/or lower acid vegetable oil-derived polyols are also provided.

Abstract: A method for partially refining a crude vegetable oil utilizing physical refining techniques is described. The crude vegetable oil is first degummed by either (1) allowing the crude oil to settle over a period of time, such as twenty days, so that the oil becomes stratified into at least two layers, wherein one layer comprises gums with low oil content and a second layer comprises oil containing only a fraction of the gums originally present and then separating the oil layer from the gum layer, or (2) heating the crude oil to a temperature of about 270-300° F. with agitation and then allowing the crude oil to settle for a period of time until the oil becomes stratified into the at least two layers. The degummed oil is then aerated and agitated while being maintained at a temperature of 170-180° F. for a time period sufficient to obtain a desired oil viscosity. The resulting partially refined oil is suitable for use in industrial applications such as the preparation of urethane foams.

Abstract: A method for partially refining a crude vegetable oil utilizing physical refining techniques is described. The crude vegetable oil is first degummed by either (1) allowing the crude oil to settle over a period of time, such as twenty days, so that the oil becomes stratified into at least two layers, wherein one layer comprises gums with low oil content and a second layer comprises oil containing only a fraction of the gums originally present and then separating the oil layer from the gum layer, or (2) heating the crude oil to a temperature of about 270-300° F. with agitation and then allowing the crude oil to settle for a period of time until the oil becomes stratified into the at least two layers. The degummed oil is then aerated and agitated while being maintained at a temperature of 170-180° F. for a time period sufficient to obtain a desired oil viscosity. The resulting partially refined oil is suitable for use in industrial applications such as the preparation of urethane foams.

Abstract: A method for partially refining a crude vegetable oil utilizing physical refining techniques is described. The crude vegetable oil is first degummed by either (1) allowing the crude oil to settle over a period of time, such as twenty days, so that the oil becomes stratified into at least two layers, wherein one layer comprises gums with low oil content and a second layer comprises oil containing only a fraction of the gums originally present and then separating the oil layer from the gum layer, or (2) heating the crude oil to a temperature of about 270-300° F. with agitation and then allowing the crude oil to settle for a period of time until the oil becomes stratified into the at least two layers. The degummed oil is then aerated and agitated while being maintained at a temperature of 170-180° F. for a time period sufficient to obtain a desired oil viscosity. The resulting partially refined oil is suitable for use in industrial applications such as the preparation of urethane foams.