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The Technology <br /> of Urethane Foam <br /> I have been asked to speak to you today on "The Technology of <br /> Urethane Foam." However, there is insufficient time to examine all <br /> phases of this subject. Therefore, I will concentrate on that part of the <br /> technology of polyether foam which I feel will be of most interest to <br /> you as users of urethane foam. <br /> I would expect that your interest is a practical one, and that it <br /> centers around questions that affect you. These questions may be. <br /> One, "What kind of foam should we use in our particular applications?" <br /> Two, "What are the differences between the various foams available <br /> to us?" Three, "How can we be sure that from day to day we are <br /> using a consistent foam of uniform quality?" <br /> I am sure most of you have taken the obvious and proper step of <br /> t selecting only competent and knowledgeable foam producers as <br /> suppliers. In dealing with these producers, a better understanding of <br /> the major properties of urethane foam and their contribution to cush- <br /> ioning performance will allow you to more intelligently discuss your <br /> needs and problems with them. <br /> I hope that this talk will give you this better understanding. <br /> A brief review of the chemistry of urethane foam and the various <br /> types of chemical linkages that form its basic structure will help you. <br /> Seven chemical ingredients are used to produce the foam. We will <br /> divide the ingredients into two groups: major and minor. (Refer to <br /> Figure No. 1) <br /> The major ingredients are polypropylene glycol, commonly referred <br /> to as polyol, and Toluene Diisocyanate, commonly referred to as <br /> TDI, and water. <br /> The minor ingredients are two types of catalysts, a silicone sur- <br /> factant and a gas producing fluorocarbon. <br /> t <br />