Investigation of polyurethane montmorillonite nanocomposites based on PET recycled polyol

Polyurethane is one of the most interesting and important elastomers in commercial application, due to its wide range of physical and chemical properties [1-2]. Polyethylene terephthalate(PET) was depolymerized by high -functional glycols. Glycolysis process was carried out using trimethylolpropane (TMP) and glycerin as a binary solvent mixture to provide suitable polyester plyol for rigid polyurethanes foam formulation. The prepared polyester polyol was used as a portion of polyol content (10-40%) in reaction with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) for synthesis rigid polyurethane foam. Polymer/clay nanocomposits, in which clay nano particles are dispersed in polymer matrix, have been introduced as a new class of materials, exhibiting superior improvement in their properties including increased modulus, strength, thermal stability ,solvent resistance and decreased gas permeability and flammability[3-5]. recyclate containing rigid polyurethane foam nanocomposits, were prepared adding different portions (1-5%) of clay nano particles. Four type of commercial nanoclay: NaMMT, 30B, 20A, 15A were utilized. The parallel effects of recycled polyol and nano reinforcing agent on mechanical and thermal characteristics of the nanocomposites were investigated. Dispersion of clay nano particles in polymer matrix was characterized by SEM (scanning electron microscopy); Obtained results confirm the Exfoliation of nanoparticles. Nanocomposites thermal properties were also studied by TGA (thermal gravimetric analysis), TMA (thermal mechanical analysis) and DMA (dynamic mechanical analysis).