Preparation and characterization of polyurethane porous membranes by particulate-leaching method

Highly porous polyurethane foams were prepared by the particulate-leaching technique, using NaCl as water-soluble solid phase. Melt compounding and co mpression moulding were used to prepare polymer/salt composite samples. Foa ms with controlled porosity, surface/volume ratio and pore dimension distri bution were therefore obtained after dissolution of salt in distilled water . Dissolution kinetic was evaluated and modelled as a function of filler co mposition and its size distribution. Kinetic increased by rising salt conce ntration and by reducing its average size. Mechanical properties of the foams were correlated to their morphological s tructure and to the properties of polymeric component.