Transport of blowing agents in polyurethane

Desorption experiments are conducted for several blowing agents in polyuret hane at room temperature and with various blowing agent pressures. The diff usivity and solubility data for blowing agents are compared with the corres ponding values for chlorofluorocarbon 11 (CFC 11). In addition, the solubil ity and diffusivity for these blowing agents in polyurethane are explained in terms of the solubility parameter and van der Waals volume, respectively . The calculated permeabilities based on the measured diffusivities and sol ubilities indicate that among the nine blowing agents investigated in this study, eight blowing agents can be possible candidates for substitutes of C FC 11 in polyurethane foams. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.