P H MATTER LLC — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.8

Description

tructural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are widely used construction panels in residential andcommercial applications. SIPs have insulating foam sandwiched between two Oriented StrandBoards (OSBs). SIPs provide design flexibility faster installations reduced man hours andreduced maintenance. Core materials for SIPs are chosen for their insulating properties.Thermocore of Missouri (Thermocore) has developed SIPs filled with PU foam that have beenproved to provide good mechanical strength and insulation as compared to traditional buildingmaterials.In the proposed work Thermocore will collaborate with Missouri University of Science andTechnology (Missouri S&T) and MCPU Polymer Engineering (MCPU) for manufacturing andperformance evaluation of soy-based PU foam replacing traditional petroleum based foams with100% soy-based foam.In Phase I of this project formulation of soy-based foams will be optimized and effects of threesurfactants (Tegostab 8870 Sodium Xiameter OFX-0193 and Dowfax 8390) will be investigatedon the mechanical and thermal properties. Also the properties of the developed foams will beenhanced by embedding hollow glass beads (HGB) and nano-clay particles. By the end of PhaseI laboratory scale structural insulated panels will be made using the soy-based foam and theirperformance will be evaluated and compared with the traditional structural panels.In Phase II the SIPs built in Phase I will be scaled up for use in modular housing. Developed SIPpanels will be evaluated for structural properties insulation and flame retardancy. The proposedSIP for energy-efficient buildings can be implemented in all building applications includingschools hospitals military shelters office buildings and refrigeration industry.