A Comparative Analysis of the Physical, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Industrial vs. Green Polyurethane as Grouting Materials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.11121Keywords:
Industry Polyurethane, Green Polyurethane, Blowing Agents, Grouting Applications, Physical Properties, Mechanical Properties, Morphology Analysis, Industry polyurethane, Green polyurethane, Blowing agents, Grouting applications, Physical properties, Mechanical properties, Morphology analysisAbstract
Polyurethane has become an essential material in the construction industry, particularly in grouting applications, due to its strong adhesive and sealing properties. Traditionally, industrial polyurethanes derived from petrochemical sources have been widely used. However, the current formulation in production of polyurethane suffers from semantic ambiguity and inconsistent terminology also growing environmental concerns have prompted to develop of greener alternatives made from renewable sources. This study compares the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of 3 types of polyurethane: industrial polyurethanes (PI), castor oil PU with 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC 141b) blowing agent (PCH), and castor oil PU polyurethanes with water as the blowing agent (PCW). The foam reaction times of all types of polyurethane met standard benchmarks for grouting materials, with cream times ranging from 10 to 20 s and rise times exceeding 48 s. The PCW exhibited the lowest apparent density while maintaining significant mechanical strength compared to PI. All polyurethane samples demonstrated compression strengths and moduli above the standard values for grouting materials (compression strength: 30 - 150 kPa; modulus: 150 - 500 kPa). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed completed curing process across all samples, with the expected including N-H, C=O and C-O stretches, as well as C-N stretches associated with the urethane linkage. Morphological analysis revealed a uniform cell structure in all types, despite variations in cell size, resulting in no gaps between cells. PCW has the best cell arrangement after compress as the size of the remain the same, contributing to their strong mechanical performance. This study identifies green polyurethane (castor oil) with water as the blowing agent can offering superior performance for the grouting industry, presenting it as a viable replacement material with reduced environmental impact.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The novelty of this paper is the alternative ways of producing green polyurethane by using water as the blowing agent.
- Comparison of the physical, mechanical and morphological properties between the industry polyurethane green polyurethane based castor oil polyol.
- Comparison of the properties green polyurethane based polyol between physical blowing agent (HCFC-141b) and chemical blowing agent (water).
- To use water in the production of castor oil based polyurethane as alternative for grouting application.
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