JCE Software Chemistry Comes Alive!
Polyurethane Foam

A polyether polyol and a polyfunctional isocyanate react to form polyurethane.

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3.9 MB, 62 seconds

File: MOVIES/KJORGANIC/POLYFOAM.MOV

Voiceover
A viscous liquid containing a polyether polyol, a blowing agent, a silicone surfactant, and a catalyst is mixed with a second liquid contains a polyfunctional isocyanate. The polyol and the polyfunctional isocyanate react to form polyurethane. The blowing agent adds a gas to the mixture to produce a foam. Because the reactants are polyfunctional, there is a high degree of cross-linking in the polyurethane. This causes the foam to become rigid after cooling.


Design, Text, and Demonstration:  
  Kristin Johnson University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
Video production, editing, and voice:  
  Jerrold J. Jacobsen University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
  Greg Minix University of Wisconsin - Madison, College of Engineering, Madison, WI 53706
  Michael Killips University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Nursing, Madison, WI 53706