Properties of a novel inherently flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam composite bearing imide and oxazolidinone

A novel inherently flame-retardant rigid polyurethane (PU) foam with imide and oxazolidinone was prepared by using 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTDA) and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-(10-glycidoxypropylene)-10-phosphap-henanthrene-10-oxide (e-DOPO) as reactive flame retardants. The physical and mechanical properties of the prepared PU foams were investigated. The compressive strength was improved to 0.22 MPa, the thermal conductivity decreased, and the density hardly changed. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and TG analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the PTDA and e-DOPO showed a small improvement in thermal properties. The fire behaviors were evaluated based on the limited oxygen index (LOI), cone-calorimetry experiment, and smoke-density test. The LOI of the PU foam with PTDA and e-DOPO reached 22.4%. The peak of heat release rate and total heat release decreased to 227.50 kW m⁻² and 11.27 MJ m⁻² from 281.28 kW m⁻² and 14.05 MJ m⁻², respectively. The morphologies of the PU foam and residues after the cone-calorimetry test were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that PTDA and e-DOPO lead to an increase in graphite in the residue and the formation of a better barrier to prevent burning by the condensed-phase mechanism.