Union Carbide Corporation

Arco Chemical Technology, L.p.

Frederick E Bailey, Jr

Michael W Jorgenson

Benny J Argento

Robert D Whitman

Water-blown, polyurethane foams modified by incorporation of specific zeolites at levels of from about 0.5 to ten parts per hundred parts polyol exhibit superior combustibility with no halogen or phosphorus flame retardant additive in the foam. Conventional halogen/phosphorus flame retardants, while providing a level of combustion resistance, generally lead to increased smoke containing noxious, and potentially toxic, combustion products.

Zeolite modified water-blown polyurethane foams

Reduced reactivity polyols are provided as foam controllers in the production of polyurethane foams. When the foam controllers are incorporated into polyurethane foam formulations, foam rise time is increased without adverse effects on foam characteristics, such as load bearing capability, resiliency and porosity. The foam controllers are acid grafted polyethers, such as acrylic acid grafted poly(alkylene oxides), and can be employed in surprisingly low concentrations to control reactivity.

Reduced reactivity polyols as foam controllers in producing

This invention relates to a process for producing water-blown, flexible polyurethane foams for improved foam stability and molded water-blown, flexible polyurethane foams that are rapidly demoldable with improved green strength. The process involves the use of certain compounds ('foam modifiers') as hereinafter more specifically defined. The foam modifiers consist of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion and an anion of a Bronsted acid having a pKa of greater than 1 (other than: (a) an inorganic alkaline earth metal salt that has a water solubility of less than one gram of salt per 100 milliliters of water at 25.degree. C., (b) alkali metal dihydrogen phosphate and (c) alkali metal sulphate).

Process for producing polyurethane foams using foam modifiers

Stable dispersions of poly(para-methylstyrene), poly(vinyltoluene) and other substituted styrenes can be made in polyether polyols and thereafter formed into polyurethanes. The polymer/polyols made from substituted styrenes have low viscosity and good particle size and distribution.

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Charleston, WV, United States of America

Frederick E Bailey, Jr