Abstract: Novel polymer polyols based on halogenated aromatic monomers such as tribromostyrene give polyurethane foams with improved flame retardant properties. For example, replacing conventional SAN polymer polyols with tribromostyrene (TBS)/acrylonitrile polymer polyols allows the preparation of polyurethane foams passing British Standard 5852, Part 2, Ignition Source 5 Combustion Test and having better ASTM E-906 values without the need for solid fillers such as melamine or aluminum trihydrate, although these and other flame retardant additives may be optionally employed as well. Elimination of these fillers also provides other improvements such as superior strength and better compression set properties. The TBS dispersions may also be used in conjunction with melamine to eliminate the need for liquid fire retardant additives.

Abstract: A novel polyurethane resin foam composition is provided which is only water-blown and requires no chlorofluorocarbon or other auxiliary blowing agents, yet suffers little or no degradation in physical properties even at reduced isocyanate indexes. The formulation includes a relatively low molecular weight polyethylene glycol along with the conventional polyol to make a blend for the polyol component. The molecular weight range of the polyethylene glycol is from about 200 to about 600. The lower molecular weight polyethylene glycol may range from about 2 to about 10 parts by weight of the polyol, based on the total polyurethane foam composition.