In the present work polyurethane foams containing different low cost cellulosic-based reinforcements and variable concentra tions of a silicate-Jayered nanoclay were prepared and characterized. with the objective of developing multi-scalar rigid foams for strucn1ral application s. The incorporation of an organically-modified nanoclay. though promoted the formation of foams with finer and more homog.eneou s cellular strucrures. also contributed to importan! density reductions. globally resulting in foams with lower compressiYe elastic moduli and collapse stresses when compared to the nnfilled ones. On the other hand. the addition of the macroscopic cellulosic-based materials led to foams with similar collapse strengths as the unfilled PUR foams even at lower relative densities. demonstrating their effectiveness as mechanica l reinforcements of rigid PUR foams and opening up new possibilities in tenns of developing low cost lightweight materials.

Peer Reviewed