The use of castor oil as a flame retardant in polyurethane foam

Thirteen polyurethane foam samples were prepared with varying quantity of castor oil as a reactant with polyisocyanate and their flammability test was carried out using various flame test procedures. Physical properties of the foam samples were found to increase with the increasing in the quantity of castor oil. Results of flammability test shows that the flame propagation rate and the after-glow time are relatively reduced with the corresponding increase in the quantity of castor oil. The add-on test and the ignition time increases with increase in the quantity of castor oil as flame retardant. Foam with 8cm3 and 10cm3 quantity of castor oil as flame retardant seems to be perfect and required for good quality and quantity of polyurethane foam.Keywords: Castor oil, Polyurethane forms, Flame retardant. Polyol, Polyisocyanate