Effect of Filler Particle Size on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of PU Composites

Abstract

In this study, the pure polyurethane polymer was synthesized by using different R-values from (1-2). The analysis of pure polyurethane clearly indicated that it have very good strain and solid loading capacity but have low stress, modulus, TG, Id, T50% wt loss, Id and char yield %. To utilise polyurethane in commercial market, these properties should be improved. Pure Polyurethanes are soft and flexible materials having a very good solid loading capacity but having low mechanical properties. This feature minimizes their use in pure form but their good solid loading capacity opens an opportunity window towards their utilization in synthesis of composite polyurethanes having good thermo-mechanical properties. To improve its properties, the reinforcement of fillers is required. For this purpose two fillers were selected carbon black and calcium carbonate. After their synthesis, these composite polyurethanes had been subjected to the thermo-mechanical testing on the same way as in the case of pure polyurethanes. By comparing the data, the composite polyurethanes have attained very good thermal stability as well as mechanical strength. The composites of carbon showed better properties than that of composite calcium carbonate polyurethanes. By increasing the weight percentage of fillers and by decreasing the particle size of the fillers the thermo-mechanical polyurethane improved linearly.