Investigating the strain rate-dependent compressive properties of fiber-reinforced soy-based polyurethane foams

  • N. Obaid
  • M. Kortschot
  • M. Sain
Keywords: Polymer Composites, Biopolymers, Biofoams, Crushing, Viscoelasticity

Abstract

Although conventional polyurethane foams are used in several applications; they are produced from non-renewable constituents. An alternative polyurethane foam can be produced by replacing petroleum-based polyol with one that is derived from soybean oil. Polyurethane foams are often used as the core material for sandwich panels in structural applications and as energy absorption materials in car bumpers and other applications. In order to maintain structural integrity, these foams must display acceptable properties over a wide range of strain rates. Deformation of materials at higher strain rates can be important in impact loading, and in designing for regions of seismic activity, high wind speeds, and areas prone to other natural disasters. In viscoelastic polymers, compressive modulus varies with strain rate. Although the modulus of foams can be improved by the addition of glass fibers, the effect of these fibers on strain rate-dependence is not well understood. This study investigates the effect of strain-rate on the modulus of glass fibre-reinforced polyurethane foams by comparing the results at quasistatic and dynamic compression.

Published
2015-06-22
How to Cite
Obaid, N., Kortschot, M., & Sain, M. (2015). Investigating the strain rate-dependent compressive properties of fiber-reinforced soy-based polyurethane foams. Academic Journal of Civil Engineering, 33(2), 400-404. https://doi.org/10.26168/icbbm2015.61