• DOI:10.1177/0021955X9302900605
• Corpus ID: 208363195

Inhibition of the Discoloration of Polyurethane Foam Caused by Ultraviolet Light

@article{Valentine1993InhibitionOT,
  title={Inhibition of the Discoloration of Polyurethane Foam Caused by Ultraviolet Light},
  author={Craig Valentine and T. A. Craig and Stanley Lee Hager},
  journal={Journal of Cellular Plastics},
  year={1993},
  volume={29},
  pages={569 - 588}
}

• C. Valentine, T. Craig, S. Hager
• Published 1 November 1993
• Materials Science
• Journal of Cellular Plastics

large percentage of polyurethane foam is produced in a nonApigmented or undyed form. The natural color of the foam immediately after production is white; however, the surface region of the foam begins to discolor and turns yellow over time due to chemical reactions initiated by UV light. This discoloration can cause problems with the perception of the quality of the foam although no actual property degradation has occurred. There are certain end-use applications (such as quilting, pillows, and textile laminates) where the ability of the foam to retain its initial color would be beneficial and should increase the value of the finished foam product. In our search for additives that would help delay the discoloration caused by UV light, it was found that many phosphites are particularly effective, especially when used at levels beyond those typically employed for scorch inhibition. There are several possible mechanisms by which phosphites may work to delay the discoloration caused by UV light including [1-4]: