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Abstract

A polyurethane foam essentially free of organic carbon-based blowing agent, the polyurethane foam comprising a foam core having a density of from about 5 to about 45 pounds per cubic foot and an integral skin consisting of substantially non-cellular, non-porous polyurethane. The presence of the integral skin is characterized by a compression force deflection index of at least about 1.20, the compression force deflection index being defined as the ratio of (i) the compression force deflection orthogonal to a cross-section of the foam to (ii) the compression force deflection of the foam core, the compression force deflection measured according to ASTM 3574C. In a preferred embodiment, the present polyurethane foam is further characterized by a flexural modulus index of at about 1.60. In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is characterized by a density index of at least about 1.60. These additional preferred features of the present polyurethane foam are further characteristics of a foam having a true integral skin. A process for producing a polyurethane foam having an integral skin using a blowing agent essentially free of organic carbon-based compounds is also described. The process comprising the steps of: contacting a polyol mixture, an isocyanate, an aqueous blowing agent, a catalyst and a chain extending agent to produce a reaction mixture, the polyol mixture consisting of a first polyol having an average equivalent weight greater than about 1000 and a second polyol having an average equivalent weight in the range of from about 150 to about 1000; and expanding the reaction mixture to produce the polyurethane foam. The present polyurethane foam can be used in a number of vehicular (e.g. steering wheel covers, arm rests, head rests, etc.) and non-vehicular (e.g. shoe-soling, furniture, toys, etc) applications.

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First Claim