Thermal, mechanical property and flame retardant analysis of bio-based rigid polyurethane foam modified with expandable graphite
Xu Zhang, Zhaoqian Wang, Yujia Fu, Zhi Wang, Hua Xie
Abstract
As an energy-efficient building material, rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) has attracted attention. However, there are still great challenges in how to easily prepare RPUF materials with good mechanical properties, flame retardant properties, thermal insulation and other properties. In the current work, expandable graphite (EG)-modified lignin-based polyol (RPUF) was prepared by a one-step method. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the pyrolysis of modified foams under nitrogen conditions. It was found that the RPUF-4 with an EG of 10 wt% had the highest the apparent activation energy (E), integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT), initial temperature and residue rate. And RPUF-4 also had excellent thermal insulation properties. In addition, RPUF-4 exhibited excellent flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties (peak heat release rate (RHRR), total heat release rate (THR) and Ds were 65.46 %, 23.92 % and 45.94 % lower than those of the unadded RPUF, respectively). At the same time, RPUF-4 also had good mechanical properties and energy absorption properties. These results will lay the foundation for the development and application of RPUF in the field of building insulation. • Briefly introduce the basic model of pyrolysis kinetics. • Study the mechanical properties of EG-modified RPUF. • Abaqus compression simulations of RPUF were compared with experiments. • Analyze the thermal insulation performance of each foam.