EPOXY MATERIALS PREPARED FROM THE CHEMICALLY RECLAIMED PRODUCTS OF WASTE RIGID POLYURETHANE FOAMS

The combined waste rigid polyurethane foams were decomposed by the gly colysis method and the reclaimed product obtained was directly used as one component in epoxy materials. Effects of curing condition, reclai med product/epoxy resin ratio, foam/decomposer ratio, adding amine and filler on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of epoxy materials were investigated. The results show that the reclaimed produ ct could completely harden epoxy resin at temperatures above 120-degre es-C. The mechanical and heat-resistant properties of the materials co uld be improved by increasing foam/decomposer ratio and adding aromati c amines or fillers. The electrical insulating property could also be improved by adding aromatic amine. The materials exhibit 15 and 10 MPa of shear strength at room temperature and 60-degrees-C respectively, more than 50 MPa of tensile strength, more than 10(13) W of surface re sistivity, and more than 10(13) W.cm of volume resistivity.