Abstract: Rigid polyurethanes are obtained by reacting (1) a polyisocyanate with (2) a polyol mixture made up of(a) an OH-functional polyester based on a C.sub.9-22 fatty acid with a molecular weight of from about 260 to about 2,000,(b) a non-functional oligomeric polyolefin with a molecular weight of from about 700 to about 6,000 and optionally(c) an at least difunctional polyol and/or polyamine with a molecular weight of from about 62 to about 8,000 (preferably from about 62 to about 400) which is different from (a),optionally in the presence of (3) a blowing agent such as water and (4) an auxiliary agent and/or additive of the type typically used in polyurethane chemistry.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the preparation of siloxane-oxyalkylene and siloxane-alkyl copolymer compositions via a hydrosilation reaction in the presence of high boiling point natural vegetable oils as the reaction solvent. The reaction solvent need not be removed from the block copolymer product, and indeed is beneficial to remain with the copolymer particularly when the copolymer is used as a surfactant for polyurethane foam formulations. Soybean oil and linseed oil are the preferred high boiling natural oil solvents when the copolymer product is to be used in the preparation of the surfactants for polyurethane foams. High resiliency polyurethane foam prepared with these natural oils present in the surfactant preparation afforded improved compression sets, wet compression sets and humid aged compression sets.

Abstract: Process for making polyisocyanate based xerogels by trimerisation of an organic polyisocyanate in an organic solvent in the presence of a (co)polymer containing an isocyanate-reactive group, gellation and drying of the obtained sol-gel.

Abstract: A microcellular PU elastomer having improved dynamic-mechanical properties and based on an isocyanate component consisting essentially of 4,4'-MDI and also further customary constituents has, after heating at from 100 to 120.degree. C. for from 8 to 24 hours, a melting range of from 130.degree. C. as the minimum lower limit to 230.degree. C. as a minimum upper limit, measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 20.degree. C./min, and a urea content of from 14 to 18% by weight.A process is also provided for preparing such a microcellular PU elastomer having improved dynamic mechanical properties. The microcellular PU elastomers can be used for producing damping elements.

Abstract: A process for preparing a homogeneous polyol component which is stable to separation and consists of at least one compound of relatively high molecular weight having at least two reactive hydrogen atoms and low-molecular-weight chain extenders and/or crosslinkers and, if desired, of blowing agents, catalysts and other auxiliaries and/or additives comprises the addition to this component of at least one amine and at least one organic and/or modified organic isocyanate; the invention also provides the corresponding polyol component which is stable to separation.The use of this polyol component for preparing PUR, in particular compact or foamed PUR, is also described.

Abstract: A flexible polyurethane foam prepared by reacting polyisocyanate with polyol and/or polymer polyol containing dispersed polymer microparticles obtained by polymerizing an unsaturated compound, water, catalyst, surfactant and, when needed, crosslinking agent and other auxiliary agents, wherein a portion or the whole of the polyol and/or the polymer polyol is prepared in the presence of a compound having a nitrogen-phosphorus double bond as a catalyst, have excellent wet compression set, fatigue by constant-load pounding and dynamic durability.

Abstract: A process for improving the thermal insulation properties of articles such as jackets or slabs made of open cells polymeric foam material is disclosed. A viscous solution is prepared, capable of coating the inner walls of the passages interconnecting the cells. Particles of a size less than the minimum diametrical length of the passages are mixed with the solution. The article is soaked with the mixed solution, squeezed and dried, so that the particles dispersed within the passages partly block the flow of air between adjacent cells.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyurethane flexible or rigid foam by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol in the presence of urethane catalyst, water as a blowing agent, optionally a silicone surfactant, and a cell opener characterized in that the cell opener comprises the reaction product of a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl group-containing organic acid anhydride and a substituted phenol which may be alkoxylated or an alkoxylated primary alcohol, optionally reacted in the presence of a tertiary amine urethane catalyst.

Abstract: Process for preparing rigid and flexible polyurethane foams by reacting a polyisocyanate and a polyol in the presence of water and CO.sub.2. The foams obtained do not show a major glass transition temperature between -100.degree. C. and +25.degree. C. and have improved air flow properties.

Abstract: A method for producing a foamed synthetic resin which comprises reacting a polyisocyanate compound with an active hydrogen compound having at least 2 active hydrogen-containing functional groups reactive with an isocyanate group in the presence of a foaming agent, wherein the foaming agent comprises at least two kinds of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.

Abstract: A microcellular PU elastomer having improved dynamic mechanical properties and based on an isocyanate component consisting essentially of 4,4'-MDI and further customary constituents has a physicochemical structure which, in the gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) of a solution of the microcellular polyurethane elastomer prepared at 90.degree. C. in N,N-dimethylformamide containing 1 percent of di-n-butylamine measured against polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as standard, displays a signal occurring in addition to low molecular weight main signal and comprising one or more peaks at an (apparent) molar mass of greater than 250,000 g/mol which becomes smaller or disappears on addition of lithium chloride to this solution, and a urea content of from 14 to 18% by weight.A process is also provided for preparing such a microcellular PU elastomer having improved dynamic mechanical properties. The microcellular PU elastomers can be used for producing damping elements.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of polyurethane foam comprising the steps of (i) mixing at a reaction index of 40 to 400: (a) a polyisocyanate blend comprising at least one polyisocyanate and optionally, additives and fillers; (b) a polyol blend comprising isocyanate reactive components and optionally, water, additional blowing agents, catalysts, surfactants, fillers and other additives; wherein either or both said polyisocyanate blend or said polyol blend contain between 0.3 to about 20 wt. % CO.sub.2 based on the total weight of said polyisocyanate blend and said polyol blend; (ii) introducing and uniformly mixing in liquid form of CO.sub.2 as a blowing agent into either or both said polyisocyanate blend or said polyol blend and maintaining said CO.sub.2 in said liquid form. The present invention also relates to an apparatus, which performs the above-mentioned process.

Abstract: Hydrophilic flexible polyurethane foam which foam is in a compressed state above its glass transition temperature and at ambient pressure in the absence of force suitable to create the compressed state.

Abstract: Process for preparing a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and two different polyols under foam forming conditions so as to prepare a rigid foam, by crushing the rigid foam so obtained and by subjecting the flexible foam so obtained to a heat treatment. Flexible foams are obtained which do not show a major glass transition temperature between -100.degree. C. and +25.degree. C.

Abstract: Process for preparing a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and two different polyols under foam forming conditions so as to prepare a rigid foam and by crushing the rigid foam so obtained in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rise of the foam. Flexible foams are obtained which do not show a major glass transition temperature between -100.degree. C. and +25.degree. C. and which have an anisotropy of 1.80 to 4.00.

Abstract: Cellular Polyurethane elastomer which is produced by reacting:(a) an isocyanate component which includes methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and/or tolylene diisocyante (TDI), in monomeric form or as liquefied prepolymer with(b) compounds which at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms and(c) 4,4'-methylenebis(3-chloro-2,6-dialylaniline) or a mixture of 4,4'-methylenebis-(3-chloro-2,6-dialyaniline) with one or more aromatic, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diamines as chain extending agent, if desired with further polyol, and(d) a blowing agent in the presence of the usual catalysts and, if desired, other additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyurethane foams employing an imidazole compound having enhanced substrate adhesion characteristics at relatively low mold temperatures. Additionally, the present invention relates to resin compositions employed in the polyurethane foams and methods of producing polyurethane foams employing the resins.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a foam frothing alternative for blowing or frothing single component foams using gases which are incapable of being liquified within the limits of DOT aerosol cans, referred to herein as non-liquefiable gases. In this invention, it is demonstrated that non-liquefiable gases such as CO.sub.2 and N.sub.2 O can be used to provide foams using conventional single component foam chemical raw materials. The present invention provides an adhesive/sealant, expanded by a non-liquefiable gas propelled from a container initially and expanded by a blowing agent consisting primarily or exclusively of a non-liquefiable gas and formulated from a moisture curable polyurethane prepolymer using a low molecular weight isocyanate of two or more functionality. In one or more variations, the compositions of the present invention contain solubility enhancers for non-liquefiable gases such as CO.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improvement in microcellular or supermicrocellular polymer extrusion systems. Both conventional and microcellular systems employ an extruder which plasticates polymer pellets into a polymer melt; a gas metering system, whereby a gas is injected directly in the polymer melt flow in the extruder; a mixing and homogenizing section of the extruder, which creates a single-phase solution of the polymer and the gas; and a nucleation device at the outlet end of the extruder. In this invention, the improvement to the conventional system comprises the nucleation means attached to said extruder which is a gear pump acting as a throttle rather than a pump. With this improvement, the discharge pressure is dictated by die resistance and flow rate as delivered by the gear throttle, and the pressure drop of the polymer/gas single-phase solution is nearly instantaneous.

Abstract: Process for making polyisocyanate based aerogels by trimerisation of an organic polyisocyanate in an organic solvent in the presence of a (co)polymer containing an isocyanate-reactive group, gellation and supercritically drying of the obtained sol-gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of polysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymers of the general formula I ##STR1## as additives in the production of polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of microcellular elastomeric polyurethane foams from a reaction mixture comprising a polyisocyanate component containing at least 85% by weight of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate or a variant thereof, a polyol composition comprising at least one polyoxyalkylene polyol having an average nominal hydroxyl functionality of from 2 to 6, an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of at least 1300 and an average oxyethylene content of between 50 and 85% by weight, water, a chain extender having an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of from 15 to 250 and optionally a crosslinking agent, the hardblock-content being more than 45% by weight.

Abstract: A process for obtaining an aerogel from a polymeric material that is in the form a sol-gel in an organic solvent, by exchanging the organic solvent for a fluid having a critical temperature below a temperature of polymer decomposition, and supercritically drying the fluid/sol-gel. The process is carried out in a semi-continuous mode that includes the steps of contacting the initial sol-gel with a stream of the fluid at different pressures and temperatures through n+1 pressure vessels A.sub.0 to A.sub.n that each have an inlet for fluid VI.sub.i and an outlet for effluent VO.sub.i wherein the n+1 pressure vessels are operated dependently on each other through a joint fluid supply system and a joint effluent treatment system so that the respective product in each of the pressure vessels A.sub.0 to A.sub.n is submitted to the fluid in successive steps with pressure and temperature following a curve that never cuts the vaporization curve in the pressure-temperature diagram of FIG. 1.

Abstract: Foam blowing agents blends of 10-90% of n- and/or i-pentane with 90-10% of 142b or 124 are provided, as are polyol premixes and polyurethane foam compositions containing such blends.

Abstract: A process for imparting flame retardancy to a polyurethane foam comprising the step of incorporating in said polyurethane foam 0.5-50.0 php of at least one flame-retardant phosphate ester is disclosed. Also disclosed is a flame-retardant polyurethane foam composition which comprises a polyurethane foam and 0.5-50.0 php of at least one flame-retardant phosphate ester, as well as the use of a flame-retardant phosphate ester to impart flame retardancy to a polyurethane foam. An example of such a phosphate ester is resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate). These flame retardants have the advantage that they reduce fogging caused by evaporation of volatile components from polyurethane foam compositions.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to polyisocyanate based aerogels and their method of preparation. The aerogels are produced by mixing an organic polyisocyanate, carbon black and catalyst in a solvent. The invention advantageously enables preparation of filled polyisocyanate based organic aerogels of lower density than aerogels which do not include a filler.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for the continuous preparation of a polymer-based cellular foam sheet of a predetermined thickness wherein the foam is produced from a reaction product capable of curing at ambient temperature formed by the reaction of a reactant composition including a prepolymer and water, the apparatus including: a means for reacting the reactant composition, a continuously moving substrate for receiving a quantity of the reaction product; a means for depositing the quantity of reaction product onto the substrate to form a rising foam sheet; a means for compressing the rising foam sheet to a predetermined degree, the compressing means being spaced from the depositing means; and a curing means spaced from the compressing means and providing for a rising of the foam sheet exiting from the compressing means to provide a porous foam sheet having the predetermined thickness.

Abstract: An improved closed cell polymer foam and foaming agent involving the use of a hydrogen-containing halocarbon blowing agent (e.g., HCFC-22) in combination with an effective amount of a hydrogen bond forming blocking agent (e.g., organic ether, ester or ketone). The presence of the blocking agent is shown to significantly reduce the escape of blowing agent from and entry of air into the foam resulting in low thermal conductivity over a longer period of time and improved thermal insulation value. A closed cell thermoplastic foam such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, among others, is disclosed produced by means of an environmentally friendly nonflammable blowing agent substantially free of halogen substituents other than fluorine and comprising HFC-134 (1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane).

Abstract: A conductive quasi-solution useful for making a homogeneously conductive single-phase polyurethane, comprising a transition metal salt, a carrier solution, and a dispersing agent, wherein said conductive quasi-solution has a transition metal salt concentration between 10 and 30% by weight, and methods of making thermoset and thermoplastic polyurethane polymers therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved process for preparing a polyamine mixture derived by reacting aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst the improvement comprising mildly reducing the polyamine mixture by a process step comprising catalytically or chemically hydrogenating the polyamine mixture in the presence of a metal catalyst.

Abstract: A method and device are described for the production of foams from two-component reactive mixtures using carbon dioxide as expanding agent, by mixing at least one of the reactive components with carbon dioxide under pressure. That mixture is then mixed with the other reactive component(s) to form a foamable reactive mixture, which is expanded and cured to form the final product. The foamable reactive mixture is expanded to ambient pressure through at least one fine-meshed screen (21a, 21b, 21c).

Abstract: There is now provided a closed cell rigid polyisocyanate based foam blown with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrofluorocarbon and formic acid as blowing agents, which possesses a uniform density gradient varying by not more than 10 percent. There is also now provided a polyol composition and a froth foaming mixture having good flow by employing a polyol and formic acid in the presence of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrofluorocarbon having a boiling point of 300K or less as co-blowing agents. The polyol composition advantageously has an average OH number of less than 400 and an average functionality of greater than 4, which when reacted with the isocyanate in the presence of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrofluorocarbon, yields a rigid closed cell polyisocyanate based dimensionally stable foam having a fine cell structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyurethane compositions with a low content of monomeric diisocyanates. Trifunctional isocyanates optionally reduced in their functionality to 3.0.+-.0.7 with a monofunctional terminator are preferably used for this purpose. In this way, the compositions contain considerably smaller quantities of readily volatile isocyanates. The compositions are suitable for use as reactive hotmelt adhesives, lamination adhesives, adhesive/sealing compounds, primers and for the production of foam plastics from non-reusable pressurized containers (aerosol cans). The low content of volatile monomeric diisocyanates enables the need for safety measures in the workplace to be significantly reduced, in addition to which the disposal of residues remaining in the containers is made considerably easier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixture of polyols for use in the preparation of polyurethane foam comprising:(i) 80-99% by weight of at least one polyether polyol and/or at least one polyester polyol; and(ii) 1-20% by weight of at least one polyolefin polyol.The invention further relates to a process for preparing polyurethane foams, using the said mixture of polyols; to polyurethane foams obtainable by such process; and to articles and composites containing the said polyurethane foams.

Abstract: The invention resides in mixing low-pressure gas in a viscous material. The flow of the gas can be easily controlled so that the dispersion of the mixing ratio of the viscous material to the gas may be confined within a small tolerance and fine bubbles may be uniformly distributed in the interior of the viscous material.The gas is mixed in the viscous material by means of a first pump 42, from which a mixture of the gas and the viscous material is delivered. Pressure is applied to the mixture by means of a second pump 51. The gas is distributed in the interior of the viscous material by allowing the mixture under pressure to pass through a conduit assembly 61. The viscous material is foamed when the mixture is discharged from a nozzle 73 through a discharge pipe 71.

Abstract: Preparation of polyisocyanate-based aerogels in the presence of polyfunctional isocyanatge-reactive compounds having an average nominal hydroxyl functionality 2 to 4 and number average molecular weight 50 to 5000, especially linear glycols containing from 2 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of polyurethane microspheres, which comprises of preparing a solution of diol or polyol having a molecular weight in the range of 200-2000, crosslinker and a catalyst selected from amino or organometallic compounds, dispersing, this solution in dilute solution of stabilizer which consists of a block copolymer having the general formula ?A!.sub.n -?B!.sub.m where A and B are chemically and compositionally dissimilar segments and n and m segments are in between 30-115 and 10-60 units respectively, such that the sum of n and m does not exceed 175 units, in an aliphatic hydrocarbon, adding an isocyanate dropwise to this dispersion agitating the mixture at high speed of 100-1200 revolutions per minute, a temperature between 30.degree. to 55.degree. C. to permit the formation of polyurethane microspheres, separating these microspheres by filtration, washing with lower aliphatic hydrocarbon and drying the microspheres under vacuun.

Abstract: A polyurethane catalyst composition comprises N,N'-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl) urea and 3-dimethylaminopropyl urea in a ratio that can be varied to systematically control flowability, airflow, and force-to-crush physical properties for flexible polyurethane foam to enhance processibility. Increasing the N,N'-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl) urea to 3-dimethylaminopropyl urea ratio increases the airflow and decreases the force-to-crush values of the foam whereas decreasing the N,N'-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl) urea to 3-dimethylaminopropyl urea ratio improves the flowability of the foam.

Abstract: According to a process for preparing joint sealing foam, gypsum hydrate is uspended in water, the water slurry is intimately mixed with diphenylmethane diisocyanate prepolymers and/or toluene diisocyanate, is introduced into the joint and is allowed to set in.

Abstract: There is provided a high resilience polyurethane foam adhesive produced from a polydiene diol having a number average molecular weight from 1,000 to 20,000 and a functionality of from 1.6 to 2, an aromatic polyisocyanate, a tackifying resin and oil. In another embodiment, there is provided a polyurethane foam adhesive produced from a blend of a polydiene diol and a polydiene mono-ol, an aromatic polyisocyanate, and a tackifying resin.

Abstract: A method for producing water-blown molded flexible polyurethane foam which comprises reacting and foaming in one step in a mold a reaction mixture comprising a polyol, an organic polyisocyanate, a urethane catalyst composition and water and a trimerization catalyst which is a quaternary ammonium salt or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a Bronsted acid having a pKa of >1, characterized in that the trimerization catalyst is present in an amount from about 0.005 to 0.04 gram milliequivalents per 100 grams of polyol. The preferred trimerization catalyst is an alkali metal N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl glycinate, especially an alkali metal N-(2-hydroxy-5-nonylphenyl)methyl-N-methyl glycinate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compressed, evacuated, open-cell polymer foam, the foam having an open cell content of about 70 percent or more prior to compression, the foam having a thickness of about 40 to about 90 percent of the initial thickness of the foam prior to compression, the foam having an absolute cell gas pressure of about 10 torr or less in its open cells, the foam having a density of about 16 to about 250 kilograms per cubic meter. Further disclosed is an evacuated insulation panel employing the foam.

Abstract: A process and a device are described for the production of polyurethane foam by application of a froth onto the conveyor belt of a block-foam installation, whereby the froth is applied onto the lower conveyor belt in a free, substantially vertical fall and flowing of the froth contrary to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt is prevented by a stationary, substantially vertical barrier arranged transversely on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A foamed solid product characterized in that said product is produced and prepared by a continuos process comprising mixing water permeated municipal solid waste (MSW) with a solidification reagent, wherein said solidification reagent initiates a polymerization reaction with the waste and the polymerization reaction forms a rigid polymer matrix therein. In addition, the polymer matrix also expands in volume during the polymerization reaction to form a foamed, environmentally stable, recycled solid product.

Abstract: A process is described for producing foam materials from two-component reactive plastics using carbon dioxide as blowing agent by mixing at least one of the reactive components with carbon dioxide under pressure, mixing the components, at least one of which contains carbon dioxide under pressure, expanding the reactive mixture containing carbon dioxide obtained by mixing, and hardening, wherein the expansion takes place suddenly with the production of high rates of shear. Preferably the rate of flow of the reaction mixture is reduced after expansion.

Abstract: Reaction system for preparing microcellular elastomers comprising an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, a polyol and water.

Abstract: There is now provided a method for making a polyisocyanate based rigid closed cell foam by reacting an organic isocyanate and a polyol composition containing a polyol having polyester linkages and a number average molecular weight of 400 or more, and at least about 8 php of a silicone-containing surfactant polymer, in the presence of an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 hydrocarbon blowing agent. Either mixed into the polyol composition at the time of foaming, mixed into an isocyanate, or both, is an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 hydrocarbon.

Abstract: For the expansion of a liquid containing gas under pressure in dissolved form, it is proposed that the liquid be passed with expansion through an extended flow channel with a small cross-sectional measurement with generation of high rates of shear. The velocity of the liquid is then reduced prior to the foaming.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of polyurethane foam moldings is described wherein carbon dioxide physically dissolved under pressure is used as the blowing agent and a pressure is maintained in the mold cavity during the introduction of the polyurethane reactive mixture so as to prevent the complete release of the dissolved carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A polyether polyol is provided having an aromaticity in the range of from 5% to 35%, an average nominal functionality (Fn) in the range of from 2.0 to 4.5 and a hydroxyl value in the range of from 390 to 650 mg KOH/g, whereby the aromatic carbon atoms are contained in structural moieties of the general formula ##STR1## wherein both R1 groups independently represent hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl group; both R2 groups independently represent a C1-C3 alkyl group; and n is an integer of from 0 to 3. A further aspect of the disclosure is a process for the preparation of the above polyether polyol, which process comprises reacting an alkylene oxide with a polyhydric alcohol blend comprising a diphenylol alkane precursor of the above indicated structural moiety and at least one aliphatic or alicyclic polyhydric alcohol having a functionality of at least 2.0. A polyether polyol blend is also disclosed, the blend having an aromaticity in the range of from 2 to 10% and a Fn in the range of from 2.5 to 5.