Polyurethane Foam Production Process

Polyurethane foam is a lightweight substance that is commonly used in flotation devices and is easily made by combining several chemical compounds. According to Andrew Stephens at California State University-Northridge, mixing one solution that contains polyether polyol with a silicone surfactant and a tertiary amine with a second solution that contains diphenylmethane diisocyanate and diisocyanate oligomers will create polyurethane foam. The University of Florida says that polyurethane foam is the core material used in the production of surfboards. A useful substance, polyurethane foam is widely produced industrially and can be created at home.

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  Navigation buoys are another item made with polyurethane foam buoy image by Dave from Fotolia.com

  Working in a well-ventilated area, pour a half-cup of the solution containing polyether polyol, silicone surfactant and tertiary amine into the plastic cup. Be sure not to touch the solution; some people may be allergic to one or more of the components of the solution.

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  Add a half-cup of the solution containing diphenylmethane diisocyanate and diisocyanate oligomers. As with the first solution, avoid exposing bare skin to the chemicals.

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  Stir the mixture with the stir stick for one to two minutes, until the reaction starts. The solutions will react and expand as the polyurethane polymer is created through the bonding of the monomers in each solution. The reaction may continue for up to 15 minutes, after which the reactants will have been consumed. The volume created will be very large compared to the volume of the solutions you started with.

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  Leave the polyurethane foam to dry in a well-ventilated area for 24 hours before touching it with bare skin. Although the reaction is complete, residual chemicals may not become inert until a full day has passed.