GENERAL-PURPOSE ADHESIVES PREPARED FROM C HEMICALLY DECOMPOSED WASTE RIGID POLYURETHANE FOAMS

Waste rigid polyurethane foams were decomposed by glycolysis. IR and G PC analyses showed that the decomposed products contained large amount s of reactive polyurethane oligomers. Increases of the ratio of monoet hanolamine to diethyleneglycol, of reaction temperature, and of reacti on time increased the hydroxyl value and amine value of the reaction p roducts, as well as lowering their viscosity. The decomposed products were examined as to suitability to be used directly as hardeners for e poxy adhesives. Studies included curing condition, the ratio of the de composed products to epoxy resin, and their combined use with the amin e hardener or additive, which is being used in the conventional epoxy adhesive systems. The use of the decomposed products from waste rigid polyurethane foam for epoxy adhesives improved the bonding or shear st rength of the adhesive systems. This method also has economic advantag e, because it does not need any complicated after-treatment of the dec omposition reaction products.