Utilização de pó de poli(tereftalato de etileno) pós-consumo e do óleo de mamona (Ricinus communis) no desenvolvimento de espuma flexível.

Abstract

The present work involves the development of flexible polyurethane foams using raw materials derived from recycling and sustainable resources after PET consumption, such as castor oil. In this work, flexible foams with different proportions o PET powder and castor oil were prepared. The characterization of the samples was carried out by the following techniques: Optical microscopy, TG and DTG thermal analysis, infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) and mechanical tests for tensile and tensile strength. The morphology of the open pores of the foams and heterogeneous cells did not significantly alter the properties evaluated by thermogravimetry, FTIR analysis and tensile strength tests demonstrate a considerable influence on variations in proportions of alternative polyols Adopted in flexible foam formulations. From the results of the thermogravimetric curves, it was observed that there is a similarity between the flexible foam formulations produced in this study with petrochemical PU. As in mechanical analysis, the glass transition temperature was higher with the increase in the proportion of PET powder and castor oil. Mechanical tensile strength tests showed that with a greater amount of replacement materials there was an increase in tensile strength while elongation decreased. The results presented indicate an economic feasibility for the production of PU with post-consumer PET powder and castor oil to be used as a substitute for a portion of the petrochemical polyol.