An alkylene oxide mixture containing greater than 50% by weight ethylene oxide is continuously polymerized in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and an alkoxylated initiator having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of up to 200. The catalyst remains active, producing a polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 700 with a high oxyethylene content continuously at fast reaction rates.

Disclosed are methods of forming foam comprising: (a) providing a foamable composition comprising an isocyanate, a polyol and a physical blowing agent comprising at least about 50% by weight of hydrohaloolefin, including trans1233zd, and wherein the polyol comprises a polyol or mixture of polyols such that the hydrohaloolefin, including trans1233zd, has a solubility in said polyol of less than about 30%; and (b) forming a foam from said foamable composition.

The present invention provides novel cyclic phosphorus-containing compounds, namely hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides, serving as highly efficient reactive flame retardants in urethane systems, particularly in flexible polyurethane foams, semi-rigid and rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams. The invention further provides fire-retarded polyurethane compositions comprising said hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides.

The present invention provides novel cyclic phosphorus-containing compounds, namely hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides, serving as highly efficient reactive flame retardants in urethane systems, particularly in flexible polyurethane foams, rigid polyurethane foams and rigid polyisocyanurate foams. The invention further provides fire-retarded polyurethane compositions comprising said hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides.

The embodiments described herein generally relate to methods and chemical compositions of triazine-arylhydroxy-aldehyde condensates. In one embodiment, a triazine-arylhydroxy-aldehyde condensate is reacted with at alkoxylation agent to form alkoxylated triazine-arylhydroxy-aldehyde condensates.

The shelf life of B-side compositions comprising a polyol, a surfactant, a blowing agent, an organometallic or metal salt catalyst wherein the metal of the catalyst comprises Zn or Bi, and from 1 to 10 weight percent water is improved by the addition of a thiol compound.

Disclosed are high strength polyurethane foam compositions and methods of making them. In one aspect, the inventive polyurethane foams include strength enhancing additives comprising one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO.sub.2 and one or more epoxides. In one aspect, the inventive methods include the step of substituting a portion of the polyether polyol in the B-side of a foam formulation with one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO.sub.2 and one or more epoxides.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a composition for forming a semi-rigid polyurethane foam that has low hardness and a resilient feel, has excellent moldability and curability even when made lightweight (made thin), and is suitable for use as an automobile interior material. The present invention is a composition for forming a semi-rigid polyurethane foam that comprises: a polyol mixture (P) that contains a specific polyol (the composition) (A), a water-containing foaming agent (C), and a catalyst (D); and a polyisocyanate component (B). The content of foaming agent (C) is 1.5-2.5 wt % based on the total weight of (A).

Disclosed are methods and systems for preparing open-celled polyurethane foams by a discontinuous box foam process in which (a) a polyurethane foam-forming composition is deposited into a container having a gas-permeable base and (b) the polyurethane-foam forming composition is allowed to form an open-celled polyurethane foam in the container. In these methods and systems, the gas-permeable base is heated before, during, and/or after step (a) and heating is continued during at least a portion of step (b).

Methods and combinations of a curing catalyst with a mold release mixture, which is then subsequently applied to the surface of a mold prior to the application of polyurethane reactants to said mold, where the curing catalyst component has the effect of catalyzing the reaction at the surface of the molded part. This catalysis results in greater reactivity at the surface between reacting portions and lower delamination of the surface of the foam, thereby leading to more attractive skins with a more consistent cell structure, and lower de-mold times due to skins whose nature makes them less likely to adhere to the surface of the mold. These foams will be less likely to tear upon opening of the mold, and production quality and output will be improved.