Abstract
A study has been made of the microstructure of rigid closed-cell polyurethane foams in the density range 35 to 420 kg m−3. Existing models for the structure of foams of this type have been evaluated using optical and scanning electron microscope techniques. Foams with a density of the order of 35 kg m−3 are shown to be best represented as a pentagonal dodecahedron. Medium density foams from 70 to 300 kg m−3 have a structure described as rounded polyhedra and high-density foams from 300 to 420 kg m−3 have an isolated spherical structure. A relationship between average cell size and density is given.
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Dawson, J.R., Shortall, J.B. The microstructure of rigid polyurethane foams. J Mater Sci 17, 220–224 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00809056
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00809056