Joanna Paciorek-Sadowska

Bio: Joanna Paciorek-Sadowska is an academic researcher from Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz. The author has contributed to research in topics: Polyisocyanurate & Polyurethane. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 62 publications receiving 545 citations.

Biodegradable, Flame-Retardant, and Bio-Based Rigid Polyurethane/Polyisocyanurate Foams for Thermal Insulation Application

Abstract: This article raised the issue of studies on the use of new bio-polyol based on white mustard seed oil and 2,2'-thiodiethanol (3-thiapentane-1,5-diol) for the synthesis of rigid polyurethane/polyisocyanurate (RPU/PIR) foams. For this purpose, new formulations of polyurethane materials were prepared. Formulations contained bio-polyol content from 0 to 0.4 chemical equivalents of hydroxyl groups. An industrial flame retardant, tri(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (Antiblaze TCMP), was added to half of the formulations. Basic foaming process parameters and functional properties, such as apparent density, compressive strength, brittleness, absorbability and water absorption, aging resistance, thermal conductivity coefficient λ, structure of materials, and flammability were examined. The susceptibility of the foams to biodegradation in soil was also examined. The increase in the bio-polyol content caused a slight increase in processing times. Also, it was noted that the use of bio-polyol had a positive effect on the functional properties of obtained RPU/PIR foams. Foams modified by bio-polyol based on mustard seed oil showed lower apparent density, brittleness, compressive strength, and absorbability and water absorption, as well as thermal conductivity, compared to the reference (unmodified) foams. Furthermore, the obtained materials were more resistant to aging and more susceptible to biodegradation.

The Use of Waste from the Production of Rapeseed Oil for Obtaining of New Polyurethane Composites

Abstract: This article presents the results of research on obtaining new polyurethane materials modified by a by-product from vegetable oils industry—rapeseed cake. The chemical composition of rapeseed cake was examined. Rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate (RPU/PIR) foams containing a milled rapeseed cake in their composition were obtained as part of the conducted research. Biofiller was added in amount of 30 wt.% up to 60 wt.%. Effects of rapeseed cake on the foaming process, cell structure and selected properties of foams, such as apparent density, compressive strength, brittleness, flammability, absorbability, water absorption, thermal resistance and thermal conductivity are described. The foaming process of RPU/PIR foams modified by rapeseed cake was characterized by a lower reactivity, lower foaming temperature and decrease in dielectric polarization. This resulted in a slowed formation of the polyurethane matrix. Apparent density of RPU/PIR foams with biofiller was higher than in unmodified foam. Addition of rapeseed cake did not have a significant influence on the thermal conductivity of obtained materials. However, we observed a tendency for opening the cells of modified foams and obtaining a smaller cross-sectional area of cells. This led to an increase of absorbability and water absorption of obtained materials. However, an advantageous effect of using rapeseed cake in polyurethane formulations was noted. Modified RPU/PIR foams had higher compressive strength, lower brittleness and lower flammability than reference foam.

Properties of rigid polyurethane‐polyisocyanurate foams modified with the selected fillers

Abstract: Rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foams (PUR-PIR) containing from 2.5% to 20% w/w of fillers (talc, aluminum hydroxide, chalk, starch and borax) were the subject of our studies; a reference sample was PUR-PIR foam with no filler added. Apparent density, compressive strength, brittleness, content of closed cells, retention (flammability) and softening point of foams were determined and the products were analyzed by thermogravimetric method. These parameters were the basis to determine effect of type and participation of the fillers studied on physicochemical, heat, and thermal properties of foams. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010

New compounds for production of polyurethane foams

Abstract: A method of boroorganic compound preparation with boric acid, 1,3-propanediol, 2,3-butanediol, and 1,4-butanediol is described in this article. The obtained compounds were characterized with respect to their usability as polyol components for the production of polyurethane (PUR) foams. New boroorganic compounds were applied as polyol components for the foaming of rigid PUR–polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams. The method of preparation, foaming parameters, and physicochemical properties of the PUR–PIR foams and their results are presented. Application of the prepared borates as polyol components in the production of foams had a favorable effect on the properties of the foams. The obtained rigid foams were characterized by lower brittleness, higher compressive strength, content of closed cells, and considerably reduced flammability in comparison with standard foams. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5918–5926, 2006

Polyurethane Foams: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract: Polymeric foams can be found virtually everywhere due to their advantageous properties compared with counterparts materials. Possibly the most important class of polymeric foams are polyurethane foams (PUFs), as their low density and thermal conductivity combined with their interesting mechanical properties make them excellent thermal and sound insulators, as well as structural and comfort materials. Despite the broad range of applications, the production of PUFs is still highly petroleum-dependent, so this industry must adapt to ever more strict regulations and rigorous consumers. In that sense, the well-established raw materials and process technologies can face a turning point in the near future, due to the need of using renewable raw materials and new process technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing. In this work, the fundamental aspects of the production of PUFs are reviewed, the new challenges that the PUFs industry are expected to confront regarding process methodologies in the near future are outlined, and some alternatives are also presented. Then, the strategies for the improvement of PUFs sustainability, including recycling, and the enhancement of their properties are discussed.

Ignition, combustion, toxicity, and fire retardancy of polyurethane foams: A comprehensive review

Abstract: This review provides insight into the ignition, combustion, smoke, toxicity, and fire-retardant performance of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams. This review also covers various additive and reactive fire-retardant approaches adopted to render polyurethane foams fire-retardant. Literature sources are mostly technical publications, patents, and books published since 1961. It has been found by different workers that polyurethane foams are easily ignitable and highly flammable, support combustion, and burn quite rapidly. They are therefore required to be fire-retardant for different applications. Polyurethane foams during combustion produce a large quantity of vision-obscuring smoke. The toxicity of the combustion products is much higher than that of many other manmade polymers because of the high concentrations of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. Polyurethane foams have been rendered fire-retardant by the incorporation of phosphorus-containing compounds, halogen-containing compounds, nitrogen-containing additives, silicone-containing products, and miscellaneous organic and inorganic additives. Some heat-resistant groups such as carbodiimide-, isocyanurate-, and nitrogen-containing heterocycles formed with polyurethane foams also render urethane foams fire-retardant. Fire-retardant additives reduce the flammability, smoke level, and toxicity of polyurethane foams with some degradation in other characteristics. It can be concluded that despite many significant attempts, no commercial solution to the fire retardancy of polyurethane foams without some loss of physical and mechanical properties is available.

Recent Trends of Foaming in Polymer Processing: A Review.

Abstract: Polymer foams have low density, good heat insulation, good sound insulation effects, high specific strength, and high corrosion resistance, and are widely used in civil and industrial applications. In this paper, the classification of polymer foams, principles of the foaming process, types of blowing agents, and raw materials of polymer foams are reviewed. The research progress of various foaming methods and the current problems and possible solutions are discussed in detail.