Influences of Halloysite Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Foam

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Materials Engineering Department, Mustansiriyah University, baghdad-Iraq.

2 Materials Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad-Iraq

Abstract

This research aims to scatter halloysite nanotubes to test the mechanical properties of foamed polyurethane nanocomposites. The modified nanotubes were incorporated into a polyurethane matrix to create a range of polyurethane/halloysite nanocomposites. The halloysite nanoparticles were mixed with the polyol, surfactant, fire retardant, and catalyst in the B-side components. To make the polyurethane nanocomposite, polymeric isocyanate was added. The results of this investigation established that “halloysite nanotubes” were an excellent reinforcing filler for waterborne polyurethane without impairing the product’s toughness significantly. The polyurethane nanocomposites were subjected to tensile strength, stress, hysteresis loss, compressive force deflection, ball rebound, and tear strength tests. The results demonstrate significant enhancement in nanocomposites with varying nanotube loadings. The halloysite nanoparticles increases the tensile strength and and increases the stress of the poluurethane by twice; however, it has minor change to the elongation.Commercialization of these findings remains a hurdle, owing to the scarcity of efficient dispersion pathways for large-scale applications and the activity’s cost-effectiveness.

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