Polyurethane-infiltrated carbon foams: A coupling of thermal and mechanical properties

The thermal and mechanical properties of polyurethane-infiltrated carbon foam of various densities were investigated. By combining the high thermal conductivity of the carbon foam with the mechanical toughness of the pure polyurethane, a mechanically tough composite (relative to the unfilled foam) that could be used at higher temperatures than the polyurethane's degradation was formed. Both the tensile strength and the modulus increased by an order of magnitude for the composites compared to unfilled foam, while the compressive and shear strengths and moduli of the composites approached values exhibited by pure polyurethane. At both 300 and 400degreesC, the rectangular blocks of pure polyurethane lost their mechanical integrity due to decomposition in air. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms substantial initial weight loss above 290degreesC. Filled carbon foam blocks, however, maintain their mechanical integrity at both 300 and 400degreesC indefinitely, although the bulk of the rectangular block mass is polyurethane. Three different carbon foam densities are examined. As expected, the higher density foams show greater heat transfer. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87:2348-2355,2003.