Eco-friendlier and non-isocyanate-based polyurethane materials for space applications

The objective of this activity was to develop novel European polyurethane (PU) materials suitable for versatile space applications that can be manufactured via “environmentally friendly” procedure without the use of toxic isocyanates and/or employing sustainable materials sources. The non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) were formulated as systems applicable as conformal coatings and potting systems in launcher manufacturing, and thermal insulation foams for use in spacecrafts manufacturing. The study confirmed possibility to prepare non-isocyanate polyurethanes with renewables content minimally 50 wt.% that are competitive to the existing space-qualified polyurethane-based materials.