Kinetic study of polyurethane foam growth rate in order to use as a braking mechanism in a vehicle model

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of Poly (urethane) foam to be used in a chemical-reaction-powered-car-braking-system. The growth kinetics of PU foam is the major concern of this research. Volumetric expansion control of the foam was used to disconnect the electricity from the source and circuit in order to stop the car at a predicted position. A switch was designed in a way to work when reaching the specific volume of 100cm3. Indeed the time was controlled by using a polymeric reaction. A special reactor was designed and built to provide a vessel to study the kinetics of foam growth. Effect of volumetric ratios of reactants (Polyol and Di isocianate) and their quantity, mixing time, and rate, the presence of water in reactive medium were investigated. All these parameters were optimized to attain uniform foam with sufficient rigidity. Repeatability of all experiments was checked. In different volumetric ratios were examined that the foam with best quality was obtained with ratio of 2 to 1 of Polyol and Di isocianate. Finally applying the optimized quantity of parameters like temperature, mixing time, mixing rate at 30 °c,45 seconds, 120 rpm and absence of water the foam growth could be precisely controlled and the functionality of foam reaching time to the specific volume(100cm3) with quantity of materials were acquired.

Keywords:

Vehicle , Polyurethane , Foam , Kinetic , Reactor