This book was originally an MSc thesis and can be described as data in the raw. The work itself provides new insights into the process of foaming in polyurethane foams. This publication will be ideal for technologists working in the polyurethane foam industry.

The introduction to the book includes a discussion on the advantages and possible pitfalls of studying polyurethane foams. This is followed by an authoritative literature survey, providing a useful assessment of the research to date.

The Foam Vibrating Needle Curemeter (FVNC) was used to monitor the formation of two polyurethane foam formulations: flexible and rigid. After foam preparation, the FVNC was used to measure the temperature and rise height of the foam as it formed. The machine was also used to measure the damping characteristics via a carbon fibre needle. Compression and density testing was also undertaken.

This work is straight from the bench and an important publication for workers in this important and expanding industry.

About the Authors
Nicholas Blair graduated from the University of Strathclyde after completing his degree in Applied Chemistry. His Master of Science thesis was a collaborative venture between Loughborough University and Rapra Technology. Nick proceeded to the Balmoral Group and then to EKC Limited. He is currently employed as a development technologist at AorTech.

Dr Richard Heath is Senior Lecturer in Thermoset and Polyurethane Materials and Processing at Loughborough University, where he has been in the Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering (IPTME) since the early 1980s. His research interests lie in polymer reactivesystems and processing, surface technology and recycling. Prior to joining the IPTME, Dr Heath worked in the polymer industry for 15 years, with Shell Chemicals, British Aircraft Corp, Armstrong Cork, Marley Foams and AlBabtain Industries (Saudi Arabia).

Preface
Acknowledgements

1 Introduction
2.1 Chemistry
2.2 Rheology and Structure Development
2.3 Summary

2 Literature Survey

3 Experimental Work
3.1 Systems Studied
3.1.1 Flexible Foam
3.1.2 Rigid Foam
3.2 Hand-Mixing
3.2.1 Flexible Foam
3.2.2 Rigid Foam
3.3 Machine-Mixing
3.4 Temperature Data
3.5 Density
3.6 Compression Properties

4 Results and Discussion
4.1 Flexible Foam
4.1.1 FVNC Data