Some Aspects of the Microcellular Urethane Material and Process

Abstract

The use of novel intermediates for the production of integral- skin microcellular urethane rubber has been explored in detail from the standpoints of polymer physical properties and process ability. Polymer/polyols and quasi-prepolymers were combined to yield extremely reactive, yet controllable, systems which are cured at room temperature and demoldable in less than 10 minutes. The ingredients are liquid at room temperature, shelf stable, and con tain no aromatic diamines, which are relatively expensive and can cause handling and discoloration problems. These novel urethane polymers possess physical properties which were heretofore ob tainable only with the use of aromatic diamine curing agents. Formu lation and process variables were explored to provide the technol ogy necessary for the practical utilization of the raw materials by microcellular urethane rubber parts producers. By proper manipu lation of formulation and processing conditions, rubbers suitable for a wide range of applications have been developed.