Thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of polyurethane–zirconia loading[Polymer-based nano-composites for thermal insulation]

The polyurethane (PU) has been showing a dramatic increase in applications related to material science and technology. However, the mechanical, physical and thermal properties could be further improved by loading PU with zirconia (Zr) to create renewable materials known as polyurethane–zirconia (PUZ) composites. In this study, PU matrix was treated with wt.% Zr at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0. In this study, the thermo-mechanical properties and the morphology were investigated of PU and PUZ nano-samples. The images of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were the prime tool in investigating PU and PUZ surfaces and fractured surfaces showing vanishing the cracks and formation of agglomeration on the sample PUZ-1.5%. In addition, the tensile strength, Young’s modulus and maximum loading were improved by 36.7, 31.8 and 39.1%, respectively, at Zr loading of 1.5 wt.%. The flexural stress and the load were improved by 94.3% and 93.6%, respectively, when Zr loading was 1.5 wt.%. The impact without and with a notch was improved by 110.7% and 62.6%, respectively, at Zr loading of 1.5 wt.%. The the morphologies of the PU surface and Zr surface supported by SEM images. Regarding the storage modulus ability of PU and PUZ composites, Zr loading has negatively influenced E. The E functioning temperature was observed to move from 142 to 183°C. Another effect was determined by adding a small amount of Zr. This small amount was enough to shift the crystallization temperature () and the melting temperature () of PU from 125 to 129°C and from 150 to 144°C, respectively.