Effect of foam density, oil viscosity, and temperature on oil sorption behavior of polyurethane

This paper examines the effect of foam density, oil viscosity, and temperature on the oil sorption behavior of polyurethane foams. Four polyurethane foams with different densities and two oil types with different viscosities were investigated. The amount of oil uptake was measured gravimetrically. Oil transport through the foams was analyzed by nondestructive X-ray microtomography. Oil sorption capacity increased significantly with the decrease in foam density, due to the increase in the number of open cells. The oil sorption capacity depended only slightly on sorption temperature and oil viscosity. X-ray visualization allowed pore filling behavior to be observed directly, and further scope to extend the technique is revealed. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.