Chemical degradation of polyurethane foamwaste and its crosslinked natural rubber

Abstract

The objective of this work was to use by-products from the chemical degradation of polyurethane foam waste (w-PUfd) and blend them with an epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), named PENR, for improving the mechanical properties of a Standard Thai rubber 5L (STR 5L). The swelling ratio in toluene of the PENR decreased as a function of w-PUfd content due to an increase in chemical interactions. After blending the PENRwith the STR-5L and vulcanizing agents using two-roll mill and then compression molding at 150 8C, the effects of w-PUfd content in PENR on the properties of cured STR-5L were investigated. The cure rate index, tensile strength, and elongation at break of the cured STR-5L were improved after the addition of PENR. The swelling in toluene of cured STR-5L decreased as a function of w-PUfd in PENR. At 100 phr w-PUfd in PENR, the 20:80 PENR:STR-5L provided the highest tensile strength of ∼23 MPa. These biodegradable, cured rubbers with w-PUfd content are environmental friendly and cost-effective products.