Thermal properties of polyurethanes synthesized using waste polyurethane foam glycolysates

In this work thermal transitions and thermal stability of polyurethane intermediates and polyurethanes were investigated. The intermediates were obtained by glycolysis of waste polyurethane (PUR) in the reaction with hexamethylene glycol (HDO). The excess of HDO was not separated from the product after the glycolysis process was finished. The effects of different mass ratio of HDO to PUR foam on selected physicochemical properties (hydroxyl number, Brookfield viscosity and density) were also determined. The polyurethanes were synthesized from the obtained intermediates by the prepolymer method using diisocyanate (MDI) and glycolysis product of molecular mass in range 700/1000 g mol^–1. Hexamethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and ethylene glycol were used as chain extender agents. Influence of NCO groups concentration in prepolymer on glass transition temperature (T _g) and storage and loss modulus (E’, E’’) of polyurethanes were investigated by the DMTA method. Thermal decomposition of obtained glycolysates and polyurethanes was followed by thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Main products of thermal decomposition were identified.