The Dow Chemical Company

John F Serratelli

Douglas L Hunter

Ronald M Herrington

Jerram B Nichols

David G Carey

Michael A Norton

Robert B Turner

Randall C Jenkines

Ana X Gonzalez

Garland R Barnes

Patricia A Engelking

Flexible polyurethane foams are prepared using certain high molecular weight, high functionality poly(oxyethylene) compounds as cell openers and softeners. These high functionality polyether polyols have been found to be very effective in opening the cells of the foam, even when used in making foams based on PIPA polyols, which are notoriously closed-celled. They are also quite effective in softening foams made using MDI-based polyisocyanates.

Polyurethane foam prepared using high functionality cell openers

Polyurethane foam prepared using high functionalilty cell openers

Polyurethane-backed textiles are prepared from a polyurethane-forming composition employing a polyether polyol having an equivalent weight of at least about 1000, a specified functionality and an internal poly(ethylene oxide) block or a terminal ethylene oxide end cap of at least about 15% by weight. The use of these polyether polyols provides a particularly desirable combination of processing and physical characteristics.

Process for preparing polyurethane carpet backings based on high

Polyethers which are polymers of C.sub.4 or higher oxiranes are used as cell openers in preparing flexible polymer foams. These cell openers provide processing advantages, do not bleed out of the forms, and are often effective at lower levels of use than conventional cell openers.

Flexible polymer foams prepared with C.sub.4 or higher polyethers as

Copolymer polyols are prepared by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a polyahl mixture in the presence of a triiodomethyl compound. The use of the triiodomethyl compound provides a lower viscosity, more stable copolymer polyahl.

Process for preparing copolymer polyols

Copolymer polyols are prepared by polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a polyahl mixture in the presence of iodine or an iodine-releasing inorganic compound. The use of the iodine or iodine-releasing inorganic compound provides a lower viscosity, more stable copolymer polyahl.

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Lake Jackson, TX, United States of America

John F Serratelli