Preparation of low-density hydrophilic flexible polyurethane foams

Abstract

Low-density hydrophilic flexible polyurethane foams are prepared by reacting organic and/or modified organic polyisocyanates (a) with a polyetherol mixture (b) and, if required, further compounds (c) having hydrogen atoms reactive toward isocyanates, in the presence of water and/or other blowing agents (d), catalysts (e) and, if required, further assistants and additives (f), by a process in which the polyetherol mixture (b) consists of b1) at least one difunctional or polyfunctional polyetherol based on propylene oxide and/or butylene oxide and ethylene oxide, having an ethylene oxide content of more than 40% by weight, based on the total amount of alkylene oxide used, an OH number of from 20 to 120 mg KOH/g and a proportion of primary OH groups of more than 20% and b2) at least one difunctional or polyfunctional polyetherol based on propylene oxide and/or butylene oxide and, if required, ethylene oxide, the ethylene oxide content being not more than 40% by weight, and having an OH number of more than 25 mg KOH/g, water in amounts of up to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the components (b) to (f), and a mixture of gel catalysts and blowing catalysts are used and the foaming is effected in an index range of from 20 to 120. Furthermore, the flexible polyurethane foams themselves produced in this manner are used as upholstery material, as energy-absorbing material and in the cosmetics and hygiene sectors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.