resumo
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.
palavras-chave
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
categoria
Materials Science
autores
Gama, NV; Ferreira, A; Barros-Timmons, A
nossos autores
Ana Margarida Madeira Viegas de Barros Timmons
Professor associado
Artur Jorge Faria Ferreira
Professor Coordenador
Nuno Vasco da Costa Gama Batista de Melo
Investigador Júnioragradecimentos
This research was developed in the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (Ref. FCT UID/CTM/50011/2013), was funded by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when applicable co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement.