Development of multi-functional rigid polyurethane foam with thermal insulation, mechanical and vibration damping properties through molecular chain design

Energy absorption and dissipation are enhanced by the extension of the free volume of chain segments through hanging chains, which is key to improving the damping performance of rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs). A series of multi-functional RPUFs with integrated thermal insulation, mechanical and damping properties were prepared by introducing different types of chain extenders as dangling chains. The effects of different pendant chains on the foaming process, crosslinking network, microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal insulation performance and damping properties of RPUF were investigated. The synergistic influence of the spatial site-blocking effect, dilution of polar groups, and improvement of compatibility between soft and hard segments is essential for improving the overall performance. The integration of elongated dangling chains impedes the agglomeration of rigid regions within RPUFs, thereby enhancing the crosslinking structure. RPUF-OG exhibited excellent mechanical, thermal insulation, and damping properties, with a compressive strength of 1.34 MPa, a thermal conductivity of 0.0416 W/(m·K), and a maximum damping factor of 0.40 .This work proposed a strategy to fabricate RPUFs with integrated mechanical, thermal insulation, and damping properties by introducing dangling chains, providing promising solutions for applications in aerospace and transportation industries in terms of structural support, thermal insulation and vibration damping.