| abstract |
A process for preparing a polyurethane foam is provided which comprises reacting a polyisocyanate and an active hydrogen-containing component, e.g., water and an organic polyol , and an effective amount of a silicone-based surfactant composition as a stabilizer for the foam, the silicone-based surfactant composition comprising a first silicone having from about 2 to about 205 siloxane repeat units of the general formula: M*tDXD*yMU wherein M* is R 1 2RSiO0.5; D is R 12 SiO; D* is R1 RSiO; M is R13 SiO0.5R 12R 2 SiO0.5; R1 is an aromatic or saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group; R is a divalent hydrocarbon moiety, optionally interrupted with methoxy or ethoxy groups, and having a hydroxyl end group, t and u are 0-2; t+u=2; x+y=1 -200 and t+y is at least 1, in the presence of a blowing agent and under conditions sufficient to form the polyurethane foam. |