Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam with Keratin and Flame-Retardant Additives

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Fire Safety Engineering

Background:

• Viscoelastic polyurethane (VEPUR) foams are widely used but often require improved thermal resistance and fire safety.
• Incorporating additives like flame retardants and natural fibers is a common strategy to enhance polymer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop VEPUR foams with enhanced thermal resistance and fire performance.
• To investigate the effects of keratin fibers and flame retardant additives on foam structure and properties.

Main Methods:

• Manufacturing of modified VEPUR foams using keratin fibers and flame retardant additives.
• Structural analysis via spectrophotometry (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Assessment of fire resistance (heat release rate), hardness, and comfort coefficient (SAG factor).

Main Results:

• The addition of keratin and flame retardants altered the VEPUR foam structure and properties.
• Foams containing keratin and expanding graphite exhibited the highest fire resistance.
• A reduction in heat release rate (HRR) of up to 75% was observed for the optimal formulations compared to unmodified VEPUR foams.

Conclusions:

• Keratin fibers and flame retardant additives are effective in improving the fire resistance of viscoelastic polyurethane foams.
• The combination of keratin and expanding graphite offers a promising approach for developing safer VEPUR materials.
• Modified VEPUR foams demonstrate potential for applications requiring enhanced thermal stability and reduced flammability.