Composites from Polyurethane and Cellulose Nano/Microcrystals

BELLESI, NATALIA E.; AUAD,MARÍA L.; MARCOVICH, NORMA E.; ARANGUREN, MIRTA I.

Madison, WI, U.S.A.

Conferencia; 8th International Conference on Woodfiber ?Plastic Composites; 2005

Madison, WI, U.S.A., 23-25 Mayo 2005 (oral) Printed version to appear. Abstract The preparation and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals ?polyurethane composites is informed and analyzed. Microcrystalline cellulose was used as the raw material for producing cellulose crystals of submicron size, by acidic hydrolysis. The crystals were further suspended in dimethylformamide, resulting in a suspension that remained stable for 2-3 days. This preparation was further used to produce reinforced polyurethane by cast and pressure molding. The resulting materials were characterized by their optical transparency, rheological, thermo-mechanical, mechanical and fracture responses. The results were analyzed and they indicate that a percolation behavior appears in the uncured system, while a strong covalent filler-matrix interaction is developed in the cured elastomeric materials.