Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Submitted Successfully!
Thank you for your contribution! You can also upload a video entry or images related to this topic. For video creation, please contact our Academic Video Service.
Version Summary Created by Modification Content Size Created at Operation
1 Jack Zhong -- 187 2026-10-08 10:09:28 |
2 dd Jack Zhong -11 word(s) 176 2026-10-08 10:12:24 |

Video Upload Options

We provide professional Academic Video Service to translate complex research into visually appealing presentations. Would you like to try it?
Cite
If you have any further questions, please contact Encyclopedia Editorial Office.
Zhong, J. Polyurethane Foam. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60655 (accessed on 09 November 2026).
Zhong J. Polyurethane Foam. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60655. Accessed November 09, 2026.
Zhong, Jack. "Polyurethane Foam" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60655 (accessed November 09, 2026).
Zhong, J. (2026, October 08). Polyurethane Foam. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60655
Zhong, Jack. "Polyurethane Foam." Encyclopedia. Web. 08 October, 2026.

Polyurethane Foam

Edit

Polyurethane foam is a cellular polymer formed by the reaction of a polyol with an isocyanate in which a blowing agent, whether produced by the reaction itself or added separately, expands the reacting mixture into a gas-filled structure. The properties follow from the cell size and from whether the cells are open or closed: closed-cell rigid foam carries load and insulates, while open-cell flexible foam recovers from compression. Both burn readily, and a large part of the literature concerns flame retardancy; a phosphorus-nitrogen intumescent system in rigid foam forms a char that shields the underlying polymer [1], and modifying the intumescent formulation changes how effective that char is [2]. Understanding how the intumescent layer works during a fire is what allows the formulation to be chosen rationally [3]. Building the flame-retardant moiety into the polymer backbone rather than adding it as a filler avoids the loss of mechanical properties that a high filler loading causes [4]. Surface coatings offer a way to keep the bulk formulation unchanged [5].

rigid foam flexible foam isocyanate blowing agent flame retardant intumescent char closed cell
Help expand this entry Share your expertise by adding detailed content and references to improve this entry.
Add content

References

  1. Wu, D.; Zhao, P.; Zhang, M.; Liu, Y. Preparation and properties of flame retardant rigid polyurethane foam with phosphorus–nitrogen intumescent flame retardant. High Performance Polymers 2013, 25, 868-875. [CrossRef]
  2. Dai, P.B.; Yang, L.Y.; Zheng, T.; Qin, C.; Tang, Q.C. Flame Retardant Effect of a Modified Intumescent Flame Retardant on a Rigid Polyurethane Foam. Key Engineering Materials 2017, 748, 51-54. [CrossRef]
  3. Lee, S.H.; Lee, S.G.; Lee, J.S.; Ma, B.C. Understanding the Flame Retardant Mechanism of Intumescent Flame Retardant on Improving the Fire Safety of Rigid Polyurethane Foam. Polymers 2022, 14, 4904. [CrossRef]
  4. Li, Y.; Zhang, A.; Wang, Y.; Fan, D.; Lin, Y.; Liu, J.; Tang, T. Intrinsic flame-retardant flexible polyurethane foam based on phosphorus-containing polyol with Si-O-C segment: Simultaneously improving fire safety and mechanical property. Chemical Engineering Journal 2025, 515, 163689. [CrossRef]
  5. Meng, D.; Liu, X.; Wang, S.; Sun, J.; Li, H.; Wang, Z.; Gu, X.; Zhang, S. Self-healing polyelectrolyte complex coating for flame retardant flexible polyurethane foam with enhanced mechanical property. Composites Part B: Engineering 2021, 219, 108886. [CrossRef]
More
Upload a video for this entry
Information
Subjects: Polymer Science
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register : Jack Zhong
View Times: 15
Entry Collection: Polymer Concepts
Revisions: 2 times (View History)
Update Date: 19 Oct 2026
Notice
You are not a member of the advisory board for this topic. If you want to update advisory board member profile, please contact office@encyclopedia.pub.
OK
Confirm
Only members of the Encyclopedia advisory board for this topic are allowed to note entries. Would you like to become an advisory board member of the Encyclopedia?
Yes
No
${ textCharacter }/${ maxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
There is no comment~
${ textCharacter }/${ maxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
${ selectedItem.replyTextCharacter }/${ selectedItem.replyMaxCharacter }
Submit
Cancel
Confirm
Are you sure to Delete?
Yes No
Write an Entry