Effect of milled fish scale powder reinforcement on physical properties of ether‐based polyurethane foam composite

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of reinforcing ether‐based flexible polyurethane foam (PUF) with milled fish scale powder (MFSP) on the physical properties of the resulting composite under different temperature conditions. The composites were prepared with varying MFSP concentrations (0%, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%) with the PUF matrix and then subjected to the resulting mixture in a mold and cured in an oven at 70 degrees for 15 min. The physical properties of the composites, namely tensile strength, elongation at break, tear resistance, density, color, and cell structure were characterized under different temperature conditions. The results showed that at standard temperature (23°C), the addition of 0.5 wt% MFSP resulted in an 18.8% increase in tensile strength and a 15.7% increase in elongation at break. Tear resistance exhibited significant improvements under heat aging, with a 22% increase (0.5 wt% MFSP) and a remarkable 37% increase (1 wt% MFSP). The cell structure revealed closed cells after the addition of MFSP to the PUF matrix. The salient feature of the study suggests that the use of MFSP as a reinforcing agent for PUF‐based composites has the potential to improve their physical properties. This is critical in producing PUF at a reduced cost with less impact on the environment.