Foamed Polyurethane Composites with Different Types of Ash – Morphological,Mechanical and Thermal Behavior Assessments

Incorporation of two types of ash particles into flexible polyurethane foams has been investigated, wood ash from gasification process and fly ash resulting from coal burning in power plant. Samples were modified with 5, 10 and 15 wt% of fillers. Structure, mechanical and thermal properties of obtained foams were investigated. Incorporation of both types of ash particles resulted in materials showing satisfactory mechanical properties, simultaneously decreasing their density. Addition of fly ash inhibited noticeably thermal degradation of material, because of the thermal insulation effect of gas trapped in the spherical ash particles. Results of research show that fly ash can be successfully used as a modifier of thermal properties in polyurethane foams, enhancing the economical aspect of the production through the decrease of material's density and incorporation of low cost filler.