Abstract: Laminated panels are made in a process whereby a starting foam formulation is processed through a mixhead, passed through a branched distribution system and dispensed through multiple outlets of the distribution system to produce a foam layer on a bottom facing layer. The foam layer is monitored for the presence of surface bubbles. When surface bubbles are observed, the backpressure in the mixhead is increased to reduce or eliminate the surface bubbles. An apparatus for performing the process includes an adjustment means at or upstream of a first branch point in the distribution system to increase or decrease the backpressure in the mixhead.

Abstract: Rigid polyurethanes and composites are made from a reaction mixture containing an aromatic polyisocyanate and a mixture of polyols. The mixture of polyols has an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of 125 to 275 and an average hydroxyl funtionality of 2.5 to 4 hydroxyl groups per molecule. 5 to 33% of the weight of the mixture of polyols is triisopropanolamine. Rigid polyurethanes made from such a reaction mixture have excellent dimensional stability, even when cured at or near room temperature.

Abstract: Laminated panels are made in a process whereby a starting foam formulation is processed through a mixhead, passed through a branched distribution system and dispensed through multiple outlets of the distribution system to produce a foam layer on a bottom facing layer. The foam layer is monitored for the presence of surface bubbles. When surface bubbles are observed, the backpressure in the mixhead is increased to reduce or eliminate the surface bubbles. An apparatus for performing the process includes an adjustment means at or upstream of a first branch point in the distribution system to increase or decrease the backpressure in the mixhead.

Abstract: In various embodiments, coated infill includes a plurality of infill granules and a preformed coating on the infill granules including a cured polyurethane product of at least one polyurethane prepolymer component and a curative component. The polyurethane prepolymer component includes a reaction product of an isocyanate component including diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and a polyol component, and has a free isocyanate content (% NCO) from 2 wt % to 12 wt %. The curative component includes water. Methods for making an artificial turf surface using the coated infill are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a coated infill, an artificial turf that includes the coated infill and a method of making the coated infill of the present disclosure. The coated infill includes an infill granule, an exterior coating layer at least partially covering the infill granule, where the exterior coating layer includes a cured hydrophilic polyurethane, and an intermediate coating layer at least partially covering the infill granule, the intermediate coating layer comprising a cured polyurethane, where the cured polyurethane is different than the cured hydrophilic polyurethane and where the intermediate coating layer is positioned between the exterior coating layer and the infill granule, the exterior coating layer being an outermost layer of the coated infill.

Abstract: In various embodiments, coated infill includes a plurality of infill granules and a preformed coating on the infill granules including a cured polyurethane product of at least one polyurethane prepolymer component and a curative component. The polyurethane prepolymer component includes a reaction product of an isocyanate component including diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and a polyol component, and has a free isocyanate content (% NCO) from 2 wt % to 12 wt %. The curative component includes water. Methods for making an artificial turf surface using the coated infill are also provided.

Abstract: An impact protection foam includes the reaction product of an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component. The isocyanate component includes at least one isocyanate. The isocyanate-reactive component includes from 20 wt % to 80 wt % of a hydrophobic polyol component and from 20 wt % to 80 wt % of a hydrophilic polyol component, based on the total weight of the isocyanate reactive component. The hydrophobic polyol component includes at least one natural oil hydrophobic polyol, and the hydrophilic polyol component includes at least a polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight from 3,000 g/mol to 10,000 g/mol and a primary hydroxyl content of at least 50 wt %. The isocyanate index is from 50-120. The foam article has a rate of energy dissipation less than 35 KN over the temperature range from 10 C to 40 C and a Shore A hardness of less than 55 at both 23° C. and ?10° C.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for viscoelastic polyurethane foams. The foams are made from reaction system which includes (a) an isocyanate reactive component, (b) a isocyanate component, (c) one or more blowing agents, (d) a catalyst component, and (e) a silicone based surfactant. The isocyanate reactive component includes at least (i) from 25 to 80% by weight of at least one polyoxyethylene capped polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene polyol having a combined number average equivalent weight from 1300 to 1700, a polyoxyethylene percentage of between 75% and 95% by weight of the combined amounts of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, and a primary OH percentage of between 80 and 95% of the total number of OH groups of the polyoxyethylene capped polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene polyol, and (ii) from 5 to 30% by weight of the isocyanate reactive component of at least one low functionality polyol having a functionality of between 1.5 and 2.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is prepared by combining a polyether triol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 5000 to 7000 g/mol; a polyether diol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 3000 to less than 5000 g/mol; a chain extender mixture including 1,4-butanediol and at least one of monoethylene glycol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, and isomers thereof; a copolymer polyether polyol having a styrene acrylonitrile solids content of at least 38 wt % and an average hydroxyl number of at least 23; an isocyanate component; and a blowing agent. It is particularly suitable for shoe sole applications, where it exhibits improvement in slip resistance under wet conditions when compared with some other polyether-polyurethane formulations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for viscoelastic polyurethane foams. The foams are made from reaction system which includes (a) an isocyanate reactive component, (b) a isocyanate component, (c) one or more blowing agents, (d) a catalyst component, and (e) a silicone based surfactant. The isocyanate reactive component includes at least (i) from 25 to 80% by weight of at least one polyoxyethylene capped polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene polyol having a combined number average equivalent weight from 1300 to 1700, a polyoxyethylene percentage of between 75% and 95% by weight of the combined amounts of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, and a primary OH percentage of between 80 and 95% of the total number of OH groups of the polyoxyethylene capped polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene polyol, and (ii) from 5 to 30% by weight of the isocyanate reactive component of at least one low functionality polyol having a functionality of between 1.5 and 2.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam is prepared by combining a polyether triol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 5000 to 7000 g/mol; a polyether diol with a hydroxyl value of from 25 to 30 and a molecular weight from 3000 to less than 5000 g/mol; a chain extender mixture including 1,4-butanediol and at least one of monoethylene glycol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, and isomers thereof; a copolymer polyether polyol having a styrene acrylonitrile solids content of at least 38 wt % and an average hydroxyl number of at least 23; an isocyanate component; and a blowing agent. It is particularly suitable for shoe sole applications, where it exhibits improvement in slip resistance under wet conditions when compared with some other polyether-polyurethane formulations.