Material propertiesEvaluation of the mechanical and morphological properties of long fibre reinforced polyurethane rigid foams

•Reinforced PUR foams were produced with different fibre mass contents and lengths.•Compressive, flexural, tensile and shear properties were investigated.•Stiffness and strength increase significantly with fibre mass content.•Material microstructures were analysed with SEM and CT scans.•Scatter in results and isotropy correlated with structural characteristics.

This paper examines the effect of glass fibre reinforcements on the mechanical and morphological properties of polyurethane rigid foams. The processing parameters of the polyurethane foam were maintained constant while the influence of the filler was evaluated in terms of fibre mass content variation (5%, 10% and 20%) and fibre length variation (12.5 mm, 25 mm and 50 mm). Tests were carried out in compression, three-point bending, tension and shear for all material configurations, the variation in fibre mass content having a larger influence on mechanical properties than fibre length. The structure of the specimens was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Computer Tomography in order to investigate the filler influence on morphology and the scatter in results.