Epoxy Materials Prepared from the Chemically Reclaimed Products of Waste Rigid Polyurethane Foams

Abstract

The combined waste rigid polyurethane foams were decomposed by the glycolysis method and the reclaimed product obtained was directly used as one component in epoxy materials. Effects of curing condition, reclaimed product/ epoxy resin ratio, foam/decomposer ratio, adding amine and filler on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of epoxy materials were investigated. The results show that the reclaimed product could completely harden epoxy resin at temperatures above 120°C. The mechanical and heat-resistant properties of the materials could be improved by increasing foam/decomposer ratio and adding aromatic amines or fillers. The electrical insulating property could also be improved by adding aromatic amine. The materials exhibit 15 and 10 MPa of shear strength at room temperature and 60°C respectively, more than 50 MPa of tensile strength, more than 10¹³ W of surface resistivity, and more than 10¹³ W cm of volume resistivity.