Determination of Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Recycled Polyurethane From Glycolysis Polyol

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the possible changes in thermo-mechanical properties between recycled polyurethane with benchmark polyurethane. The glycolysis polyol was used as a raw material for recycled polyurethane production. The glass transition temperature of the recycled polyurethane was determined using DSC. Tensile strength, elastic modulus, toughness, and hardness test of the recycled polyurethane were conducted at 24°C, 40°C, and 60°C. The glass transition temperatures for the recycled and the benchmark polyurethane occurred at 43°C and 50.4°C, respectively. Tensile strength for recycled polyurethane was lower than that of benchmark polyurethane by 29-43%. Recycled polyurethane recorded lower toughness than petroleum-based pure polyurethane by 13-16%. However, recycled polyurethane recorded high shored D values than the benchmark polyurethane by 9-29%. This study reveals that recycled polyol could be used as feedstock for polyurethane production with applications tailored to its mechanical properties.