Studying the effect of polyurethanes on the different properties of cement pastes and mortars

Abstract

Polyurethanes are chemically complex materials, usually formed by the reac- tions of liquid isocyanate components with liquid polyol resin components. Although these products are all termed “polyurethanes,” other identifiable chemical linkages may also be present (such as urea, allophanate, and biuret linkage). Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUF) are interesting family of polymers, with excellent thermal and sound insulation properties thus (RPUF) uses in different applications such as construction materials, refrigerators, chemical pipelines, meeting and lecture rooms and other applications due to its excellent properties such as closed cell structure, low thermal conductivity, high sound absorption coefficient and high compressive strength. In this study different formulations from rigid polyurethanes foam were prepared by using different percentages of additives (Tin catalyst, Amine catalyst and water) and then investigate the influence of these formulations on the properties of mortar as compressive strength, thermal insulation and sound insulation for polyurethane foam-mortar. Chapter 5 summary and conclusions 148 The uses of polyurethane foam material in mortar mixes lead to decreasing the cement content from 100% to 50% in such a way as to make it more suitable or economic for the job at hand. This study includes the following tests: Polyurethane foam tests: Compressive strength, Tensile strength and Scanning electron microscope. Polyurethane foam-mortar tests: Compressive strength, Thermal insulation and Sound insulation. The main conclusions derived from this investigation can be summarized as the following: A- For Polyurethanes foam: 1- The use of tin catalyst causes closed cell structure by enhancing gelling reaction between polyether polyol