The effect of post-consumer PET particles on the performance of flexible polyurethane foams

In this work, the use of post-consumer PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETpc, as reinforcement filler in flexible polyurethane foams was studied, with the aim of finding alternatives for the recycling of polymer packaging. Density, number of cells per linear centimeter, tensile resistance, strain at break and tear resistance of standard foams were compared to those of foams with PETpc in the formulation, using 1.5 parts per hundred of polyol of PETpc (granulometric range 0-297 μm). The produced foams were sectioned into top, mid-top, mid-bottom and bottom layers. Tensile resistance, strain at break and tear resistance of the reinforced foam surpassed those of the standard foam for all layers. The number of cells was constant but density increased towards the base of the block. In addition, the filled foams yielded better wear, compression set and compression resistance than the standard foam, whereas no significant variation in morphology (cell shape) was found.