Polyurethane Foams: Past, Present, and Future

authors	Gama, NV; Ferreira, A; Barros-Timmons, A
nationality	International
journal	MATERIALS
author keywords	polyurethane foams; sustainability; enhancement of properties; new processing methodologies
keywords	PHASE-CHANGE MATERIALS; THERMAL-ENERGY STORAGE; OIL-BASED POLYOLS; SUGAR-BEET PULP; NON-ISOCYANATE POLYURETHANE; SOUND-ABSORPTION PROPERTIES; LIQUEFIED CORN STOVER; OF-THE-ART; SOYBEAN OIL; CRUDE GLYCEROL
abstract	Polymeric foams can be found virtually everywhere due to their advantageous properties compared with counterparts materials. Possibly the most important class of polymeric foams are polyurethane foams (PUFs), as their low density and thermal conductivity combined with their interesting mechanical properties make them excellent thermal and sound insulators, as well as structural and comfort materials. Despite the broad range of applications, the production of PUFs is still highly petroleum-dependent, so this industry must adapt to ever more strict regulations and rigorous consumers. In that sense, the well-established raw materials and process technologies can face a turning point in the near future, due to the need of using renewable raw materials and new process technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing. In this work, the fundamental aspects of the production of PUFs are reviewed, the new challenges that the PUFs industry are expected to confront regarding process methodologies in the near future are outlined, and some alternatives are also presented. Then, the strategies for the improvement of PUFs sustainability, including recycling, and the enhancement of their properties are discussed.
publisher	MDPI
issn	1996-1944
year published	2018
volume	11
issue	10
digital object identifier (doi)	10.3390/ma11101841
web of science category	Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
subject category	Materials Science
unique article identifier	WOS:000448658400055