Strong and Robust Composites Based on Recycled Polyurethane Products

Chemical recycling of polyurethane is typically pursued through glycolysis, hydrolysis, or acidolysis. Polyols obtained from these processes exhibit high -OH values and are used as only a partial replacement to virgin polyols in the production of polyurethane, owing to a lack of control over the chemistry of these recycled polyols. In this presentation, we demonstrate an alternative approach to utilize recycled polyols, obtained by glycolysis of industrial scrap foam, to fabricate strong and robust organic/inorganic composites suitable for structural applications. These organic/inorganic composites, consisting of recycled polyols, naturally occurring aluminosilicate minerals, and organic binders, possess enhanced flexural properties (strength and strain capacity) as compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). A correlation between the chemical composition (type of linker, polyol content, type and content of inorganic particles), microstructure, and flexural properties will be discussed. Finally, we will demonstrate that optimization of the composition, curing temperatures, and processing conditions can help tune the properties and applicability of these organic/inorganic composites.