Thermal Decomposition of Rigid Polyurethane Foams Obtained with N-substituted Aromatic Amines as Polyol Components.

In the reported experiments, the course and main products of thermal decomposition of rigid polyurethane foams prepared from polyols obtained from a mixture of diaminediphenylmethane (MDA) triethanolamine (TEA) and propylene oxide (TP) used in varying weight proportions are investigated. It is found that the foams under investigation exhibit lower thermal resistance than those of conventional type and at the same time their rate of gasification with the increase in temperature is much slower. It is connected with the character of the decomposition products and has a pronounced effect on the worsening of the flammability properties of foams. Foams prepared with the MDA/TEA ratio of 40/60 is found the most appropriate for commercial production.