Abstract
In this study, different fractions of fly ashes, poly (tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG), and excess 4, 4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) were added into a reactor to form the polyurethane (PU)/fly ashes blend. It is evident that heavy metals can be encapsulated in PU foam, which was shown by the results of a toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test. After the tensile strength test, the elongation test, and the hardness test, the physical and chemical properties of the PU/fly ashes blend were acceptable for commercial applications. Meanwhile, based on the leaching criteria of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of Taiwan, comparing the new PU/fly ashes blended with 18% fly ashes and PU/fly ashes blended in ambience at room temperature for 1 year's time revealed both blends to function effectively in the tests. The results from the weatherability test illustrate that the maximum percentage of fly ashes allowed in the blends was 18%. Therefore, fly ashes blended with PU foam was a new and effective recycle method to deal with MSW. We aim to evaluate the processing parameters to create a new application option of the fly ashes so that the treatment loading of residual can be reduced.