CA2157829A1

CA2157829A1 - Polyurethane srim compositions having internal mold release properties

Info

Publication number: CA2157829A1
Application number: CA002157829A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Richard P. Harrison; Bari W. Brown; Richard C. Rossio; Gladys M. Aviles; Edward M. Dexheimer; David Ho
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-09
Filing date: 1995-09-08
Publication date: 1996-03-10
Also published as: US5547608A; US5583197A; US5605762A; MX9503630A; US5716548A; US5594037A

Abstract

The invention provides polyurethane components and compositions capable of providing internal mold release properties in SRIM applications. The polyol composition of the invention has an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a number average molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of internal mold release composition (B) having a silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b).
The invention further provides an SRIM polyurethane composition useful in the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, the composition comprising an isocyanate component (I) and the isocyanate reactive polyol composition (component (II)) disclosed above.
In another aspect of the invention, the invention provides methods of using the claimed compositions as well as the rigid cellular polyurethane SRIM articles resulting from such processes.

Description

21~7823 1. Backqround of the Invention The present invention relates to molded, cellular, polyurethane articles having internal mold release capabilities, compositions for use in the preparation of such articles, and methods of making such articles. More particularly, the invention relates to rigid, cellular molded polyurethane articles produced by structural reaction injection molding (SRIM) processes. The molded articles of the invention may be characterized as having densities ranging from 15 to 40 pcf. Most particularly, the invention relates to rigid, cellular polyurethane SRIM articles having fiberglass reinforcement therein, the articles having internal mold release capabilities.
Molded cellular and noncellular polyurethane articles have found many applications in the automotive and building industries.
Illustrative automotive applications include the use of such articles as consoles, door panels, pillars and seat backs.
Examples of non-automotive uses include modular housing and shower supports and doors. Although many polyurethane molded parts are produced by reaction injection molding processes (RIM), it has been found that the use of woven or non-woven fiber reinforcements can provide parts with greater tensile strength and flex modules. Such 215782~

molding processes are known as structural reaction injection molding (SRIM).
SRIM processes may be generally described as the pouring or injecting of a liquid foam composition into a closed or open mold which, if open, is subsequently closed during the foaming reaction.
Prior to the pouring in of the liquid foam composition, reinforcing fiberglass mats andtor other suitable plastic reinforcing parts are placed in the open mold. In some cases, a cosmetic facing or cover stock material will initially be laid in the open mold prior to the placement of the reinforcing materials and/or liquid foaming composition. When such cover stock materials are used, and the liquid foam composition is subsequently poured into the partially filled mold, the process is known as a back filling or pour-behind SRIM process.
Although SRIM molders are faced with problems unique to their particular processes, they are also faced with the problems attendant to any traditional polyurethane molding process. In any molding operation, efficiency and cost considerations mandate that the length of time required to make each part be minimized as much as possible. As a result, it is highly desirable that each part be removed from the mold as rapidly and as easily as possible.
However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that molded polyurethane parts often resist release from the mold.
Traditionally, external mold release (EMR) agents have been sprayed onto the mold surface each time a new part is to be molded. The use of such EMR agents is highly disadvantageous for two reasons.

First, the use of the EMR agents adds significantly to the per part cost. Factors such as the cost of the EMR agent per application, the cost of the labor or equipment required to apply the EMR agent, and the cost of the time during which the mold is open but is nonfunctioning, must all be included when evaluating the additional cost per part resulting from the use of EMR agents. Second, the EMR agents often include volatile components which results in a need for air cleaning and/or ventilation equipment. Fans, blowers, and protective gear all represent a significant capitol investment.
As a result, polyurethane molders have long desired internal mold release (IMR) agents which are mixed with one or more of the polyurethane components and are thus present during each molding cycle. Such internal mold release agents are intended to appear at the interface between the mold wall cavity and the reacting ingredients to effect sufficient non-adherence between the two so that release and removal of the molded article can be easily accomplished.
Examples of previous prior art attempts to provide IMR agents are disclosed in several U.S. patents. Illustrative is U.S. Patent No. 5,283,311, which discloses fatty prepolymers and fatty modified organic polyisocyanates as internal mold release agents useful in RIM processes.
GB 2,101,140A discloses an internal mold release agent comprising the reaction product of heating a metal salt such a zinc stearate with an epoxidized vegetable oil such as epoxidized soybean oil.

~1~78~29 U.S patent 5,244,931, commonly assigned to BASF Corporation, discloses that when epoxidized 2-ethylhexyltalate is used in conjunction with a cell opening mixture of a particular dibasic acid ester claimed therein, the resulting articles have improved mold release characteristics. U.S. patents 4,052,495 and 4,457,887, assigned to Dow Corning Corporation, respectively disclose siloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymers and silicones intended for use as internal mold release agents in the molding of polyurethanes articles.
Similarly, U.S. patents 4,498,929, 4,546,145, 4,504,314, and 4,477,366, assigned to ICI, disclose internal mold release agents incorporating particular polysiloxane compounds.
However, very few prior art attempts at providing internal mold release agents have been successfully directed towards SRIM
applications. The process of molding SRIM articles provides unique challenges to the successful incorporation of IMR agents. The use of the IMR agents must not interfere with or detract from the internal adhesion of the polyurethane composition to internal components like the fiberglass mat and/or polymer based structural reinforcing elements. Likewise, the IMR agent on the exterior surface of the finished SRIM article must not interfere with adhesion between the article and external components like cover stocks used in a pour-behind SRIM applications. Finally, the use of the IMR agents must not interfere with the flow characteristics or reactivity profile of the polyurethane composition. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the polyurethane ` 2157829 compositions used in SRIM applications must exhibit superior flowability and generally low viscosity in order to accommodate the presence of the reinforcing materials.
In addition to the performance requirements of the finished SRIM article, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it would be highly desirable to achieve polyol compositions capable of providing internal mold release properties which do not exhibit separation behavior upon standing. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that IMR agents often exhibit separation behavior when combined in either the polyol component or the isocyanate component of a polyurethane composition. Such separation behavior represents special processing challenges and often requires the use of costly processing and/or mixing equipment.
It is thus an object of the invention to provide an internal mold release agent which is capable of use in SRIM compositions and applications and which reduces the need to apply EMR agents.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a polyol composition having an internal mold release agent therein which does not exhibit separation behavior and which, when used in SRIM
applications, provides rigid, cellular polyurethane articles exhibiting good adhesion to both internal and external components.
It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a foam composition for the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, wherein the polyol component of the composition exhibits little or no separation behavior and the composition results in rigid, cellular 21~782~ ~

polyurethane articles exhibiting good adhesion to both internal and external component elements.
Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide improved methods of making SRIM articles, wherein the articles have internal mold release properties and the need to apply EMR agents is reduced.

2. Summary of the Invention These objects and more are satisfied with the compositions of the invention. The internal mold release composition and the polyol composition of the invention are capable of providing internal mold release properties to an SRIM polyurethane system and reducing the need for EMR agents. The polyol composition of the invention requires an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of an internal mold release composition ~B) having a silicon containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b).
The invention further provides a composition useful in the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, the composition comprising an isocyanate component (I), and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II) requiring an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B) requiring a silicon containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b).

It has been found that use of the polyol component and polyurethane composition as disclosed herein provides several advantages. Significant improvements in productivity and a decrease in overall cycle time have been realized. More particularly, demold times of SRIM articles have been realized which are less than one minute and in some cases less than 50 seconds. In addition, it has been found that little or greatly reduced amounts of external mold release agent are required.
Finally, molds appear to be easier to clean when the compositions of the invention are used.
The invention also provides methods of utilizing the disclosed polyol and polyurethane compositions as well as the articles produced by such methods.
In particular, the invention provides a process of making a molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties, the method requiring the providing of a mold; placing in the mold, a composition comprising an isocyanate component (I) and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II), component (II) requiring an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000, as well as an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B), composition (B) having an silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b); and allowing the composition to react within the mold for a time sufficient to produce a molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties.

Finally, the invention provides a method a making a composite molded article, the method requiring placing a cover stock within a composite article mold; subsequently placing within the composite article mold a molded polyurethane SRIM article having internal mold release properties, the SRIM article being produced by a process requiring providing an SRIM article mold, placing in the SRIM article mold, an SRIM composition having an isocyanate component (I), and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II), component (I) having an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) and an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B), composition (B) having an silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized ester (b), allowing the composition to react within the SRIM article mold for a time sufficient to produce a molded polyurethane SRIM article having internal mold release properties, and removing the article from the SRIM article mold; providing within the composite article mold, a polyurethane foam composition;
and allowing the polyurethane foam composition to react within the composite article mold for a time sufficient to produce a composite molded article.

3. Detailed DescriPtion of the Preferred Embodiment The polyurethane composition of the invention requires an isocyanate component (I) and an isocyanate reactive polyol component (II). Isocyanate reactive polyol component (II) must, at a minimum, have an isocyanate reactive polyol (A) having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000 and an effective amount of internal mold release composition (B).
Internal mold release composition (B) requires a silicon-containing polymer (a) and an epoxidized estèr (b). It has been found that the combination of components (a) and (b) exhibits synergism and provides unexpected advantageous internal mold release properties to SRIM articles and molding processes.
The silicon-containing polymer will generally be a silicone, i.e. a polymer containing the moiety, - Si(R2)o-. The silicon-containing polymer (a) preferably utilized in the inventioncontains two or more secondary hydroxyl groups, and preferably an average of three hydroxyl groups per silicon-containing polymer molecule. In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the silicon-containing polymer is a dimethylsiloxane compound which is represented by the following generic formula:

CH3 CH3 CH3 l H3 CH3 R n~ O--51--O-- I--O--Sl--O---,1--Rn--H
A~ CH3 ~n CH3 A2 w x wherein each of R are independently an alkyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; an alicyclic, an aryl, an alkaryl or an aralkyl having 1 to 25 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; an aliphatic ether group; or a polyester group; and wherein a secondary hydroxyl functional group is substituted onto at least two, preferably onto each of the R groups;

-each of A are independently one or more silicon atoms containing alkyl, alicyclic, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkyloxy, alkaryl, aralkyl, or arylalkoxy have a 1 to 25 carbon atoms in each aliphatic portion; an organosiloxane; hydrogen; or an alkyl having 1 to 25 carbon atoms;
n is an integer from 1 to 10; and the sum of w + x + y + z totals an integer which would correspond to an average hydroxyl equivalent weight ranging from 200 to 4,000.
Preferably, each of R are independently an alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy, or an ether having the formula:

H~O--CH--CH2~

and preferably A is hydrogen, a Cl-C4 alkyl, or a siloxane having the formula:

O -i--O--SlccH3~3 _ CH3 - y or Z

wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, and w + x + y + z totals an integer corresponding to an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of the molecule ranging from 1,250 to 3,000.
In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the silicon-containing polymer (a) used in the invention will be Dow Corning01 1248 fluid, sold by Air Products of Allentown, PA or any co ~rcially available equivalent. A commercially available equivalent is believed to be DABCO~2 DC5000. The 1248 fluid has an average of 3 hydroxyl sites per molecule and an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of about 1,725 to 2,225, and most likely about 2,000. It is believed that this fluid corresponds with the formula:

l,H3 CH3 O~ O-SiCCH3~3 o- Si-O- SiCcH3~3 ~H3 CH3 _ _ CH3 CH3 CH3 H- O- CH-CH2 ~ 1-0- 1-0- 1-0 - 51-0- ~I - -~H2CH O- H
CH3 CH3 _ CH3_ x ~ CH3 CH3 n wherein each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 4, and w + x + y + z is about 70, or corresponds to average hydroxyl 1Dow Corning is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation.
2DABC0 is a registered trademark of Air Products Corporation.

equivalent weight of a molecule of about 2,000. The methods of manufacture of such silicon-containing polymers is generally described in U.S. Patent 4,130,708, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Epoxidized ester (b) will generally be an epoxidized alkyl fatty acid ester. In general, suitable compounds will have a minimum weight percent total epoxide of 4.4 percent, a maximum acid number (mg KOH/g) of 1.0, and a maximum total unsaturation (weight percent iodine) of 4Ø A preferred epoxidized ester will have a total weight percent epoxide of between about 4.6 to 5.3, an acid number between about 0.3 and 0.8, and a total unsaturation between about 1.0 and 3Ø Most preferably, the epoxidized ester (b) will have a weight percent total epoxide between 4.9 and 5.1, an acid number between 0.5 and 0.60, and a total unsaturation (weight percent iodine) between 1.0 and 2.5.
Examples of suitable epoxidized alkyl fatty acid esters are epoxidized propylene glycol dioleate and epoxidized 2-ethylhexyltallate or epoxidized octyltallate ester. Suitablecommercially available materials are FLEXoL~3 Plasticizer EP-8, available from Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company, Inc.
of Danbury, Connecticut; DRAPLEX~4 4.4, available from Witco 3FLEXoL~ is a trademark of Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Tech. Corp.
4DRAPEX~ is a registered trademark of Witco Corporation.

Corporation of Hahnville, Louisiana; and PLASTOLEIN~5 9214 or PLASTOLEIN~ 9213, available from the Henkel Corporation of Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania.
It has been found that the most suitable epoxidized ester (b) for use in the compositions of the invention is epoxidized-2-ethylhexyltalate, commercially available as PLASTOLEIN~ 9214. The characteristics of the most preferred epoxidized-2-ethylhexyltallate will be a total epoxide weight percent of about 5.0, an acid number of about 0.55 and a total unsaturation (weight percent iodine) of about 1.80 to 1.90.
As indicated above, it has unexpectedly been found that the combination of (a) and (b) provides unexpectedly advantageous internal mold release properties. As a result, at a minimum, the internal mold release composition (B) will have from 1 to 99 parts by weight of the silicon-containing polymer (a) and from 99 to 1 parts by weight of the epoxidized ester (b), all parts by weight being based on the total weight of the internal mold release composition (B).
More particularly, it has been found that good internal mold release properties are obtained when the IMR composition (B) contains from 1 to 50 parts by weight of the silicon-containing polymer (a), and from 50 to 99 parts by weight of the epoxidized ester (b).

5PLASTOLEIN~ is registered trademark of the Henkel Corporation.

Optimum internal mold release properties have been achieved where the internal mold release composition (B) contains from 1 to 15 parts by weight of the silicon-containing polymer (a) and from 85 to 99 parts by weight of epoxidized ester (b).
In general, the polyol composition (II) of the invention (also known as the resin side or polyol component) should contain from about 10 to 60 weight percent of the internal mold release composition (B) based on the total weight of the polyol composition. That is, out of 100 pounds of a polyol composition, comprised of a mixture of isocyanate-reactive polyol (A) and internal mold release composition (B), from 10 to 60 pounds should be IMR composition (B) while from 90 to 40 pounds is isocyanate-reactive polyol (A). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that increasing amounts of the internal mold release composition (B) will provide the best release properties while increasing amounts of the isocyanate reactive polyol (A) will generally provide the best overall performance properties in the finished molded polyurethane SRIM articles.
It has been found that ideally, the internal mold release composition (B) will be present in a weight ratio of approximately 1 parts IMR agent (B) to 2 parts polyol (A). That is, in a total of 99 parts by weight of the polyol composition of the invention (i.e. polyol component (II)), 33 parts by weight will be internal mold release composition (B), while 66 pounds are comprised of isocyanate reactive polyol (A).

21~7829 Examples of suitable isocyanate reactive polyols (A) are compounds having at least two isocyanate reactive hydrogens which are intended to be employed in the preparation of polyurethane foams and elastomers. Such compounds are often prepared by the catalytic condensation of an alkylene oxide or mixture of alkylene oxides either simultaneously or sequentially with an organic compound having at least two active hydrogen atoms, such as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,922,459; 3,190,927; and 3,346,557.
Representative polyols include polyhydroxyl-containing polyesters and polycarbonates, polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols such as the aforementioned polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols, polyhydroxy-terminated polyurethane polymers, polyhydroxyl-containing phosphorous compounds, and alkylene oxide adducts of polyhydric polythioesters, polyacetals, aliphatic polyols and thiols, ammonia, and amines including aromatic, aliphatic, and heterocyclic amines, as well as mixtures thereof. Alkylene oxide adducts of compounds which contain two or more different groups within the above-defined classes may also be used, for example, amino alcohols which contain an amino group and a hydroxyl group. Also, alkylene oxide adducts of compounds which contain one SH group and one OH group as well as those which contain an amino groups and an SH group may be used.
Generally, the number average molecular weight of the polyols will vary from greater than 400 to 10,000. It has been found, however, that nitrogen containing molecules, particularly those with amino groups, are preferred initiators.

Suitable hydroxy-terminated polyester may be used such as those prepared, for example, from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols. Any suitable polycarboxylic acid may be used such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, brassylic acid, thapsic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid, ~-hydromuconic acid, B-hydromuconic acid, ~-butyl-~-ethyl-glutaric acid, ~,B-diethylsuccinic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, hemimellitic acid, and 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. Any suitable polyhydric alcohol, including both aliphatic and aromatic, may be used such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, glycerol, 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane, 1,1,1-trimethylolethane, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, ~-methyl glucoside, pentaerythritol, and sorbitol. Also included within the term "polyhydric alcohols" are compounds derived from phenol such as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxylphenyl)propane, commonly known as Bisphenol A.
The hydroxyl-containing polyester may also be a polyester amide such as is obtained by including some amine or amino alcohol in the reactants for the preparation of the polyesters. Thus, polyester amides may be obtained by condensing an amino alcohol such as ethanolamine with the polycarboxylic acids set forth above or they may be made using the same components that make up the hydroxyl-containing polyester with only a portion of the components being a diamine such as ethylene diamine.
Any suitable polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol may be used such as the polymerization product of an alkylene oxide or a mixture of alkylene oxides with a polyhydric alcohol. Any suitable polyhydric alcohol may be used such as those disclosed above for use in the preparation of the hydroxy-terminated polyesters. Suitable initiators include both aliphatics and aromatics, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, glycerol,1,1,1-trimethylolpropane,1,1,1-trimethylolethane,1,2,6-hexanetriol, ~-methyl glucoside, pentaerythritol, and sorbitol.
Any suitable alkylene oxide may be used such as those disclosed above for preparing the prepolymers. Examples of alkylene oxides include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, amylene oxide, mixtures thereof, tetrahydrofuran, alkylene oxide-tetrahydrofuran mixtures, epihalohydrins, and aralkylene oxides such as styrene oxide. Polyethers which are particularly suitable include the alkylene oxide addition products of trimethylolpropane, glycerine, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol; sucrose and blends thereof having number average molecular weights of from 100 to 5,000.
Suitable polyhydric polythioethers which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include the condensation product of thiodiglycol or the reaction product of a dicarboxylic acid such as is disclosed above for the preparation of the hydroxyl-containing polyesters with any other suitable thioether glycol.
Polyhydroxyl-containing phosphorous compounds which may be used include those compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,639,542.
Preferred polyhydroxyl-containing phosphorous compounds are prepared from alkylene oxides and acids of phosphorous having an acid equivalency of from about 72 percent to about 95 percent.
Suitable polyacetals which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include the reaction product of formaldehyde or other suitable aldehyde with a dihydric alcohol or an alkylene oxide such as those disclosed above.
Suitable aliphatic thiols which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include alkanethiols containing at least two -SH groups such as 1,2-ethanedithiol, 1,2-propanedithiol, 1,3-propanedithiol, and 1,6-hexanedithiol; alkene thiols such as 2-butene-1,4-dithiol; and alkyne thiols such as 3-hexyne-1,6-dithiol.
As indicated above, polyols having initiator molecules containing nitrogen are particularly suitable for use in the invention. Particularly preferred for use in the invention are the polyethers resulting from the condensation of amines with alkylene oxides. Suitable amines which may be condensed with alkylene oxides include aromatic amines such as aniline, o-chloroaniline, p-aminoaniline, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, methylene dianiline, the condensation products of aniline and formaldehyde, and 2,3-, 2,6-, 3,4-, 2,5-, and 2,4-diaminotoluene (TDA) and mixtures of the isomers; and aliphatic amines such as methylamine, 215782~

triisopropanolamine, ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,3-diaminobutane, and 1,4-diaminobutane. Polyethers having aromatic amines as initiator molecules are most preferred.
Polyols containing ester groups can also be employed in the subject invention. These polyols are prepared by the reaction of an alkylene oxide with an organic dicarboxylic acid anhydride and a compound containing reactive hydrogen atoms. A more comprehensive discussion of these polyols and their method of preparation can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,585,185; 3,639,541 and 3,639,542.
Polyols containing graft polymer dispersions may also be employed in the invention. These are prepared by the in situ polymerization, in the polyols listed below, of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Representative ethylenically unsaturated monomers which may be employed in the present invention include butadiene, isoprene, 1,4-pentadiene, 1,6-hexadiene, 1,7-octadiene, styrene, ~-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene and 4-methylstyrene,2,4-dimethylstyrene,ethylstyrene,isopropylstyrene, butylstyrene, phenylstyrene, cyclohexylstyrene, benzylstyrene, and the like; substitute styrenes such as cyanostyrene, nitrostyrene, N,N-dimethylaminostyrene, acetoxystyrene, methyl 4-vinylbenzoate, phenoxystyrene, p-vinylphenyl oxide, and the like; the acrylic and substituted acrylic monomers such as acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, methyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, $~`

isopropyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, methacrylonitrile, ethyl ~-ethoxyacrylate, methyl ~-acetaminoacrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, phenyl methacrylate, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N,N-dibenzylacrylamide, N-butylacrylamide, methacrylyl formamide, and the like; the vinyl esters, vinyl ethers, vinyl ketones, etc., such as vinyl acetate, vinyl butyrate, isopropenyl acetate, vinyl formate, vinyl acrylate, vinyl methacrylate, vinyl methoxyacetate, vinyl benzoate, vinyltoluene, vinylnaphthalene, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ethers, vinyl butyl ethers, vinyl 2-ethylhexyl ether, vinyl phenyl ether, vinyl 2 methoxyethyl ether, methoxybutadiene, vinyl 2-butoxyethyl ether, 3,4-dihydro-1,2-pyran, 2-butoxy-2'-vinyloxy diethyl ether, vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl phosphonates such as vinyl phenyl ketone, vinyl ethyl sulfone, N-methyl-N-vinyl acetamide, N-vinyl-pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, divinyl sulfoxide, divinyl sulfone, sodium vinylsulfonate, methyl vinylsulfonate, N-vinyl pyrrole, and the like; dimethyl fumarate, dimethyl maleate, maleic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, monomethyl itaconate, t-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimehtylaminoethyl methacrylate, glycidyl acrylate, allyl alcohol, glycol monoesters of itaconic acid, vinyl pyridine, and the like. Any of the known polymerizable monomers can be used and the compounds listed above are illustrative and not restrictive of the monomers suitable for use in this invention. Preferably, the monomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, styrene and mixtures thereof.

~ - - s The amount of ethylenically unsaturated monomer employed in the polymerization reaction is generally from 25 percent to 70 percent, preferably from 30 percent to 45 percent, based on the total weight of the product. The polymerization occurs at a temperature between about 25C. and 180C., preferably from 80C.
to 135C.
The unsaturated polyols or macromers which may be employed in preparing the graft polymer dispersion may be prepared by the reaction of any conventional polyol such as those described above with an organic compound having both ethylenic unsaturation and a hydroxyl, carboxyl, anhydride, isocyanate or epoxy group or they may be prepared by employing an organic compound having both ethylenic unsaturation and a hydroxyl, carboxyl, anhydride, or epoxy group as a reactant in the preparation of the conventional polyol. Representative of such organic compounds include unsaturated mono- and polycarboxylic acids and anhydrides such as maleic acid and anhydride, fumaric acid, crotonic acid and anhydride, propenyl succinic anhydride, acrylic acid, acryloyl chloride, hydroxy ethyl acrylate or methacrylate and halogenated maleic acids and anhydrides, unsaturated polyhydric alcohols such as 2-butene-1,4-diol, glycerol allyl ether, trimethylolpropane allyl ether, pentaerythritol allyl ether, pentaerythritol vinyl ether, pentaerythritol diallyl ether, pentaerythritol vinyl ether, pentaerythritol diallyl ether, and 1-butene-3,4-diol, unsaturated epoxides such as 1-vinyl-cyclohexene-3,4-epoxide, butadiene monoxide, vinyl glycidyl ether(l-vinyloxy-2,3-epoxy propane), glycidyl methacrylate and 3-allyloxypropylene oxide (allyl glycidyl ether).
Illustrative polymerization initiators which may be employed are the well-known free radical types of vinyl polymerization initiators such as the peroxides, persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, azo compounds, etc. These include hydrogen peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, acetyl peroxide, benzoyl hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, butyryl peroxide, diisopropylbenzene hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, paramenthane hydroperoxide, diacetyl peroxide, di-~-cumyl peroxide, dipropyl peroxide, diisopropyl peroxide, isopropyl-t-butyl peroxide, butyl-t-butyl peroxide, difuroyl peroxide, bis(triphenylmethyl) peroxide, bis(p-methoxybenzoyl) peroxide, p-monomethoxybenzoyl peroxide, rubene peroxide, ascaridol, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, diethyl peroxyterephthalate, propylhydroperoxide, isopropylhydroperoxide, n-butyl hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, trans-decalin hydroperoxide, ~-methylbenzyl hydroperoxide, ~-methyl-~-ethyl benzyl hydroperoxide, tetralin hydroperoxide, triphenylmethyl hydroperoxide, diphenylmethyl hydroperoxide, ~,~'-azobis-(2-methyl heptonitrile), 1,1'-azo-bis(cyclohexane carbonitrile), 4,4'-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid), 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile), 1-t-butylazo-1-cyanocyclohexane, persuccinic acid, diisopropyl peroxy dicarbonate, 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methoxy-4-methylpentane,2,2'-azobis-2-methylbutanenitrile, 2-t-butylazo-2-21~782~

cyanobutane, 1-t-amylazo-1-cyanocyclohexane, 2, 2 ' -azobis (2, 4-dimethyl-4-methoxyvaleronitrile, 2, 2 ' -azobis-2-methylbutyronitrile, 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methylpentane, 2-t-butylazo-2-isocutyronitrile, to butylperoxyisopropyl carbonate and the like;
a mixture of initiators may also be used. The preferred initiators are 2, 2 ' -azobis ( 2-methylbutyronitrile), 2, 2 ' -azobis ( isobutyronitrile), 2, 2 ' -azobis ( 2, 4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methoxy-4-methylpentane, 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-4-methylpentane, 2-t-butylazo-2-cyano-butane and lauroyl 10 peroxide. Generally, from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent, preferably from about 1 percent to about 4 percent, by weight of initiator based on the weight of the monomer will be employed in the process of the invention.
However, while many of the above described polyols are suitable for use in the invention, it has been found that certain polyols are particularly preferred. It has been unexpectedly discovered that problems of nonhomogeneity, or separation behavior, are largely eliminated when the isocyanate reactive polyol comprises at least one polyoxyalkylene polyether which has as an 20 initiator molecule, an amine substituted aromatic molecule.
Preferred examples are aniline, o-chloroaniline, p-aminoaniline, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, methylene dianiline, the condensation products of aniline and formaldehyde, and 2,3-, 2,6-, 3,4-, 2,5-, and 2, 4-diaminotoluene (TDA) . The most preferred type of aromatic polyamine initiator is diaminotoluene having vicinal amino groups, i . e ., 2, 3- or 2, 6- diaminotoluene and mixtures thereof .

21~7829 In addition, the most preferred polyoxyalkylene polyethers for use in the instant invention will be those which have been oxypropylated.
Thus, the preferred polyol for use in the instant invention will be an oxyproplyated TDA polyether. The most preferred such polyols will generally have a relatively low molecular weight, i.e.
below 1,000 and a hydroxyl number of generally less than 600. An example of a most preferred commercially available polyol is PLURACOL~ Polyol 736 from BASF Corporation of Wyandotte, Michigan. 6 While not wishing to be bound to a particular mechanism, it is believed that the structure of the oxypropylated aromatic polyamine polyether is responsible for the observed lack of separation in the novel polyol composition of the invention.
The polyol side or composition (II) of the invention may further contain additional components such blowing agents, catalysts, chain extending agents, surface active agents, adhesion promoters, stabilizers, dyes, fillers, pigments and/or mixtures thereof.
For example, a particularly preferred blowing agent is water, preferably 0.5 to 10 percent by weight, and more particularly, 1 to 5 weight percent of water based on the weight of the polyol (A).
Alternatively, instead of water alone, mixtures of water and chemically inert, low boiling hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons can also be used as foaming agents. Suitable 6PLURACOL~ is a registered trademark of BASF Corporation.

hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons will be those having boiling points below 50C, preferably between 50C and 30C at atmospheric pressure. Illustrative examples are halogenated hydrocarbons such as monochlorodifloromethane, dichloromonofloromethane, dichlorofloromethane, and trichlorofloromethane and are mixtures, as well has hydrocarbons such propane, N-butane, and isobutane, as well as dimethylether and cyclopentane.
The required quantities of blowing agent mixture can be determined experimentally in a very simple matter as a function of the mixing ratio of water to hydrocarbon blowing agents as well as the desired densities of the foam. Suitable amounts generally range from approximately 2 to 40, preferably 5 to 25 percent blowing agent based on the weight of the polyol.
Chain extending agents and/or crosslinking agents will also preferably be employed in the preparation of the molded polyurethane articles. Examples of suitable chain extenders and/or crosslinking include those compounds having at least two functional groups bearing active hydrogen atoms such as water, hydrazine, primary and secondary diamines, amino alcohols, amino acids, hydroxy acids, glycols, or mixtures thereof. Such agents will generally have a number average molecular weight of less than about 400. A preferred group of chain extending agents and/or crosslinking agents include water, ethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, glycerine and mixtures thereof. The most preferred crosslinking agent is glycerine.

21~7829 The use of catalysts is highly preferred. Examples of suitable amine-based catalysts which may be used include tertiary amines such as, for example, triethylenediamine, N-methylmorpholine, N-ethylmorpholine, diethylethanolamine, N-cocomorpholine, l-methyl-4-dimethylaminoethylpiperazine, 3-methoxypropyldimethylamine, N,N,N'-trimethylisopropyl propylenediamine, 3-diethylaminopropyldiethylamine, dimethylbenzylamine, and the like. Other suitable catalysts are the metal-based catalysts, for example, stannous chloride, dibutyltin di-2-ethyl hexanoate, stannous oxide, as well as other organometallic compounds such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
2,846,408. Preferred catalysts however, are those commercially available amine catalysts such as DABCO~ TMR-3, DABCO~ BL-17, DABCO~ X-8154, and DABCO~ 33LV, all of which are commercially available from Air Products Corporation. A particularly suitable metal-based catalyst is dioctyltin dimercaptin commercially available as FOMREZ~ UL-32 catalyst. The most preferred catalyst will be a mixture of amine- and metal-based catalysts.
Surfactants will also preferably be incorporated with the invention. A particularly preferred surfactant is L-550, a cell stabilizing surfactant, commercially available from Union Carbide.
It is believed that the presence of this surfactant provides improved flow characteristics.
As indicated above, the IMR composition (B) will most preferably be part of the polyol component (II) of a polyurethane system. However, it is within the scope of the invention to have IMR composition (B) incorporated in the isocyanate component (I) of a polyurethane system. Alternatively, components (a) and (b) of IMR composition (B) could respectively be separately incorporated into polyol component (II) and isocyanate component. (I) In either case, the concentrations of (a) and (b) would be as given above.
The isocyanate reactive polyol component (II) of the invention is generally combined with an isocyanate component (I) to provide the polyurethane compositions of the invention. The polyurethane compositions of the invention are suitable for the preparation of molded SRIM polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties. Isocyanate components (I) suitable for use in accordance with the invention are organic isocyanates. The organic polyisocyanates employed in the instant invention correspond to the formula R'(NCO)z wherein R' is a polyvalent organic radical which is either aliphatic, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, aromatic or mixtures thereof and z is an integer which corresponds to the valence of R' and is at least 2. Representative of the types of organic polyisocyanates contemplated herein include, for example, 1,2-diisocyanatoethane, 1,3-diisocyanatopropane, 1,2-diisocyanatopropane, 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, 1,5-diisocyanatopentane, 1,6-dissocyanatohexane, bis(3-isocyanatopropyl)ether, bis(3-isocyanatopropyl)sulfide, 1,7-diisocyanatoheptane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2-dimethylpentane, 1,6-diisocyanate-3-methoxyhexane, 1,8-diisocyanatoctane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2,4-trimethylpentane, 1,9-diisocyanatononame, 1,10-diisocyanatopropyl ether of 1,4-butylene glycol, 1,11-di isocyanatoundecane, 1, 12 -di isocyanatododecane, bis ( isocyanatohexyl ) sulf ide, , 4 -di isocyanatobenze, 1, 3 -diisocyanato-o-xylene, 1, 3-diisocyanato-p-xylene, 1, 3-diisocyanato-m-xylene, 2, 4-diisocyanto-1-chlorobenzene, 2, 4-diisocyanato-1-nitro-benzene, 2, 5-diisocyanato-1-nitrobenzene, m-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, mixtures of 2, 4- and 2, 6-toluene diisocyanate, 16-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-tetramethylene diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate, hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 1, 5-naphthalene diisocyanate, 1-methoxy-2, 4-phenylene diisocyanate, 4, 4 ' -cyclohexane diisocyanate, hexahydrotoluene diisocyanate, 1, 5-naphthalene diisocyanate, l-methoxy-2, 4-phenylene diisocyanate, 4, 4 ' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4, 4 ' -biphenylene diisocyanate, 3, 3 ' -dimethyl-4, 4 ' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 3, 3 ' -dimethyl-4, 4 ' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate and 3, 3 ' -dimethyldiphenylmethane-4, 4 ' -diisocyanate and 3, 3 ' -dimethyldiphenylmethane-4, 4 ' -diisocyanate; the triisocyanates such as 4, 4 ', 4"-triphenylmethane triisocyanate polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate and 2, 4, 6-toluene triisocyanate; and the tetraisocyanates such as 4, 4 ' -20 dimethyl-2, 2 ' -5, 5 ' -diphenylmethane tetraisocyanate. Especially useful due to their availability and properties are toluene diisocyanate, 2, 4 ' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4, 4 ' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate, and mixtures thereof.
The polyisocyanates are prepared by conventional methods known in the art such as the phosgenation of the corresponding organic 21~7829 amine. Included within the useable isocyanates are the modifications of the above isocyanates which contain carbodiimide, allophonate or isocyanurate structures. Quasi-prepolymers may also be employed in the process of the subject invention. These quasi-prepolymers are prepared by reacting an excess of organic polyisocyanate or mixtures thereof with a minor amount of an active hydrogen-containing compound as determined by the well-known Zerewitinoff test as described by Kohler in Journal of the American Chemical Society, 49, 3181 (1927). These compounds and their methods of preparation are well known in the art. The use of any one specific active hydrogen compound is not critical hereto, rather any such compound can be employed herein. Generally, the quasi-prepolymers have a free isocyanate content of from 20 percent to 40 percent by weight.
The isocyanate component (I) and the polyol component (II) will generally be combined in an index of from 60 to 120, and preferably an index of from 80 to 110. The most preferred index for the polyurethane composition will be from 85 to 95.
The polyurethane composition of the invention maybe used with various reinforcement materials to produce SRIM articles in both conventional SRIM processes and pour behind processes.
As indicated above, conventional SRIM processes generally require the pouring of a liquid polyurethane composition into an open or closed mold, which, if open, is subsequently closed during the foaming reaction. Prior to the pouring in of the liquid foam composition, reinforcing materials and/or reinforcing parts are placed in the open mold. Reinforcement materials suitable for use in producing SRIM articles include a wide variety of materials.
Fiber reinforcements are preferred. Fiber materials may be woven, non-woven (random), or combinations thereof. Suitable fibers include synthetic fibers of nylon, polyester, aramide, polyether ketones, polyether sulfones, polyamides, silicon carbon, and the like; natural fibers such as cellulose, cotton, hemp, flaxes, and jute; and mineral or ceramic fibers including Wollastonite, aluminum, glass fibers, and carbon fibers. A unique non-glass material is Colback~7 spun bonded non-woven comprised of a biocomponent fiber having a polyester core and polyamide skin available from BASF Corporation, Fibers Division, Parsippany, NJ.
Glass fiber, either woven or non-woven, is the preferred reinforcement material due to its low cost and physical properties.
One or more layers of fiber reinforcement may be used depending on the desired fiber weight. Up to 70 weight percent of the SRIM part may comprise reinforcement material. In general, the reinforcing material will laid directly into the mold and the liquid polyurethane foam composition poured thereon. However, alternatively or in addition thereto, chopped fibers and other fillers may be added to the isocyanate component of the system, the polyol component, or both, in amounts up to about 70 weight percent of the SRIM part.

7Colback~ is a registered trademark of BASF Corporation.

However, SRIM processes wherein fiberglass mats are placed in the mold prior to the injection of the polyurethane composition are preferred.
In addition to the fiber reinforcing material, structural parts or elements comprised of wood, metal and/or plastic type materials known to those skilled in the art, may be laid in the mold either prior to or subsequent to the placing of the fiber reinforcement in the open mold. Metal and plastic elements are preferred. Examples of suitable plastic materials include ABS, nylon, acetyl, polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC and the like. In either case, the liquid polyurethane foam composition will generally be applied last, prior to the closing of the mold or the initiation of molding.
In traditional SRIM processes, after the molding of the SRIM
article, the article will be trimmed. However, in some uses the molded SRIM article will be used as a component for a composite article. For example, a cover stock material may be laid into a open mold, followed by the molded SRIM article. A flexible or semi-flexible polyurethane foam is then injected into the mold containing the cover stock material and the molded SRIM article.
The flexible or semi-flexible foam is allowed to react to bind the cover stock and the molded SRIM article into a single composite article.
Alternatively, composite articles can be made using back-filling or pour-behind processing techniques. For example, in a typical pour-behind process a cover stock material is laid into a foam. Such cover stocks may or may not have foam backing.
Optionally, a second foam such as an energy absorbing foam may be placed in the top of the mold. Alternatively, reinforcing materials may be placed in the mold. The liquid polyurethane composition is subsequently poured onto the cover stock and molding initiated. In an open mold, molding will be initiated by closing the mold. The foam is allowed to react for a period of time sufficient for it to completely react and adhere to the cover stock material and any other component elements previously placed in the mold.
Examples of suitable cover stock materials are vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, cloth, polyurethane foams, including both rigid, flexible, semi-flexible and energy absorbing, and mixtures thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with respect to back-filling SRIM
processes, cover stock materials are often referred to as 'vinyl' whether or not they are comprised of polymeric ethylene. As used herein, the term vinyl is intended to encompass both the traditional chemical meaning, (i.e., polymeric ethylene) as well as the meaning typically given to those familiar with SRIM molding process.
The cover stock materials may be formed prior to their insertion into the composite article mold by vacuum forming.
Alternatively, cover stock material may be formed of PVC which is been rotationally cast. As discussion of such processes may be 21~7829 found in the Polyurethane Handbook, G. Oretal, Section 5.4, pages 223-225 hereby incorporated by reference.
It will be appreciated that the presence of the various internal component elements requires that the internal mold release agent not interfere with adhesion of the SRIM article thereto.
The molded SRIM articles having internal mold release properties of the invention will generally have densities of from 10 to 30 without glass and from 15 to 40 with glass. More preferably, the densities of the SRIM articles of the invention all have densities from 20 to 35. They are further characterized by warpage of no more than approximately .25 percent to .75 percent and a dimensional stability of no more than .10 at 38C and 100~
RH. Dimensional stability at 24 hours and 70C is no less than .01 percent. Tensile strength of the molded SRIM articles ranges from 2000 psi to 4000 psi. The flexule strength is from 3000 psi to 7000 psi and the flexule modules is from 100 Kpsi to 200 Kpsi. The molded articles show no cracking and an impact resistance of 0.9 J
at 23C.
The following working examples indicate the manner and process of making and using the invention and set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the invention, but are not to be construed as limiting.
The following ingredients were employed to illustrate the various compositions of the invention:
Polyol A is a propylene oxide adduct of glycerine having an OH
number of 230.

Polyol B is a propylene oxide adduct of sucrose/diethylene glycol having an OH number of 490.
Polyol C is a propylene oxide adduct of vicinal toluenediamine having an OH number of 390.
Polyol D is a polyester polyol having an OH number of 65.
DABCO~ TMR3 is isocyanate catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.
DABCO~ X-8154 is a formic acid blocked amine catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.
10POLYCAT~ 46 is a potassium acetate trimerization catalyst commercially available from Air Products.
DABCO~ BL-17 is a formic acid blocked amine catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.
DABCO~ 33LV is an amine catalyst commercially available from Air Products Corporation.
PLASTOLEIN~ 9214 is a plasticizer commercially available from Henkel Corporation.
Dow Corning~ Fluid 1248 is a silicon-containing polymer commercially available from Dow Corning.
20FOMREZ~8 UL-32 is a dioctyltin dimercaptide catalyst commercially available from Witco Corporation.
L-550 is a cell stabilizing surfactant commercially available from Union Carbide.
Isocyanate A is a polymeric-MDI having about 45-47 weight percent, 2-ring MDI; 19 weight percent 3-ring MDI; and 30-33 weight 8FOMREZ~ is a registered trademark of Witco Corporation.

21~7829 percent n-ring MDI oligomers where n > 3. The isocyanate has an NCO content of 31.6 weight percent.

The following example illustrates the unexpected results achieved with the internal mold release composition of the invention.
A first polyol component Al had a formulation as indicated below:
POLYOL COMPOSITION Al POLYOL A 37.65 POLYOL B 20.08 GLYCERIN 7.03 X-8154 0.70 POLYCAT-46 0.40 DABCO BL-17 0.50 DABCO 33-LV 0.30 FOAMREZ UL-320.03 PLASTOLEIN 9214 29.33 Polyol composition Al was combined with isocyanate A. The handmixed reactivity of 150 grams of the resulting polyurethane composition in a 32 ounce Lily cup was as follows:

Cream time (CT) = 15 seconds Top of Cup (TT) = 30 seconds Gel Time (GT) = 30 seconds Rise Time (RT) = 60 seconds Free Rise Density (FRD) = 5.24 pcf For each SRIM part, a fiberglass mat weighing between 200 to 300 grams was used, with the average mat weighing approximately 222 grams. The fiberglass used was 1 ounce NICO 754.

The parts were molded in an EMB PU SV. The mold used was a door mold and had a metal surface and internal heating coils. The temperature of the mold surface was approximately 150F. For each part run, the mold, having an approximate part dimension of 2 X 3 feet, was charged with an amount of polyol composition A1 sufficient to achieve the part weight given below. The intention was to mold as many parts as possible until the quality of release was deemed unacceptable; i.e. failed to lift out easily and rapidly. Note that the part number corresponds to the run number.

PART RATIO Al/A Polyol Al ISO A POLYOL Al ISO A PART WT* DEMOLD
# Press(PSI) Press(PSI) TEMP (F) TEMP (F) (q) (SEC.) 1 100/85.7 2441 2275 78 81 583/630 1205 2 100/84.9 2470 2275 78 81 586/624 905 3 100/71.4 2541 2292 78 80 645/630 905 *The first value is the actual part weight, and the second value is the theoretical part weight, as determined by the molding machine.

Because the parts were sticking to the mold, the mold was cleaned before another molding was attempted.

PART RATIO Al/A Polyol Al ISO A POLYOL Al ISO A PART WT* DEMOLD

# Press(PSI) Press(PSI~ TEMP (F) TEMP (F) (q) ~SEC.) 4 100/81.3 2493 2278 80 79 599/? 905 Part #4 stuck extremely badly to the mold surface. As a result, the mold was cleaned. Polyol composition A1 was drained from the mold and replaced with polyol composition B1. Polyol composition B1 was identical to polyol composition A1 except that it further contained 4 pbw Dow Corning Fluid 1248, based on the weight of composition Al. Polyol composition B1 was combined with isocyanate A. The hand-mixed free rise reactivity of the resulting polyurethane composition was as follows:

Cream time (CT) = 16 seconds Top of Cup (TT) = 38 seconds Gel Time (GT) = 40 seconds Rise Time (RT) = 60 seconds Free Rise Density (FRD) = 5.24 pcf Attempts to mold SRIM parts produced the following results.

PARTPART WT. RATIO PlRESSURE PRESSURE ~EMP TEMP DEMOLD
# lq) Bl/A B (psi) A (~si) B (F) A(F) (6ec) 1 749/810 100/82.2 1675 2008 79 80 90 2 743 100/83.5 1817 2000 80 79 90 The mold was cleaned and an external mold release agent spray applied to the surface of the mold. Results of molding were as follows:
PARTPART WT. RATIO PRESSURE PRESSURE TEMP TEMP DEMOLD
# (q) Bl/A Bl (p6i) A (~6i) B~(F) A(F) (6ec) 3 748 100/82.6 1378 2013 79 80 90 4 742 100/83.7 2176 1982 79 80 90 The mold was once again cleaned.

PARTPART WT. RATIO PRESSURE PRESSURE TEMP TEMP DEMOLD
# (q) Bl/A Bl (pBi) A (~6i) Bl(F~ A(F~ (6ec~
747 lO0/83.2 1941 1964 80 83 180 6 743 100/83.6 1849 1982 79 82 180 The polyurethane composition contained in the mold was drained and approximately 0.03 parts by weight of UL-32 were added to polyol composition B1. The reactivity of the altered polyol composition Bl was as follows:

Cream time (CT~ = 16 seconds Top of Cup (TT) = 33 seconds Gel Time (GT) = 35 seconds Rise Time (RT) = 50 seconds Free Rise Density (FRD) = 5.24 pcf Attempts to mold SRIM parts were resumed with the following results:

PART PART WT. ~TIO P~ESSUR~ PRESSURe TEMP TEMP DEMOLD
# (q) B /A B (psi~ A (p~i~ Bl(F~ A(F~ (sec~

7 745 100/83.5 1741 1911 80 79 120 8 746 100/82.6 1842 1866 80 80 120 9 742 100/84.5 1798 1906 80 80 120 The mold was cleaned by scrapping residual urethane particles from the mold surface. Spot wax (LH1 paste wax) was applied to those portions of the mold surface from which the urethane particles had been removed.
743 100/83.3 1863 1892 80 79 120 11 743 100/84.1 1906 1883 80 80 120 12 744 100/83.7 1819 1873 80 80 120 13 736 100/86.4 1897 1888 19 80 120 14 755 100/81.7 1861 1882 79 80 120 748 100/83.2 1861 1878 79 79 120 16 749 100/82.5 1943 1867 80 80 120 17 756 100/81.2 2116 1848 79 80 90 18 745 100/83.3 2123 1867 80 80 90 19 747 100/83.4 2101 1899 80 80 90 735 100/84.8 1750 1911 79 79 90 21 744 100/83.7 1823 1927 80 80 90 22 741 100/83.7 1765 1937 80 80 90 The mold was cleaned as indicated above.
23 756 100/81.1 2057 2130 80 80 90 24 741 100/84.2 2022 2164 80 80 90 747 100/83.1 2130 2143 80 80 90 26 748 100/82.8 2144 2169 80 80 90 As evidenced by the foregoing results, the use of both components (a) and (b) of the IMR composition (B) of the invention produces unexpectedly superior results compared to the use of 40 component (b) alone.

Polyol component A2 had a formulation as set forth below:

POLYOL A 37.6 5 POLYOL B 20.08 GLYCERIN 7.03 POLYCAT-46 0.40 a DABCO BL-17 0.50 DABCO 33-LV 0.30 FOAMREZ UL-320.03 PLASTOLEIN 9214 29.33 @ 100 INDEX = 93.lg ISO/lOOg POLYOL A2 @ 90 INDEX = 83.8g ISO/lOOg POLYOL A2 @ 100 INDEX = 90.9g ISO/100g POLYOL B2 @ 90 INDEX = 81.8g ISO/lOOg POLYOL B2 A second polyol composition was used, composition B2, which was identical to polyol composition A2 except that 3 percent Dow Corning~ fluid 1248, based on the weight of composition A2, was added.
The reactivities of polyol compositions A2 and B2 were determined on an EMB Puromat PU SV. The polyol compositions were combined with Isocyanate A. The reactivity of the polyurethane composition utilizing polyol composition A2 was as follows:

Cream time (CT) = 17 seconds Top of Cup (TT) = 30 seconds Gel Time (GT) = 37 seconds Rise Time (RT) = 47 seconds Free Rise Density (FRD) = 5.7 pcf The reactivity of the polyurethane composition using polyol composition B2 was as follows:

Cream time (CT) = 15 seconds Top of Cup (TT) = 31 seconds Gel Time (GT) = 34 seconds Rise Time (RT) = 48 seconds Free Rise Density (FRD) = 5.83 pcf The mold used was a door mold and had a metal surface and internal heating coils. The temperature of the mold surface was 150F. Initially, the mold, having an approximate part dimension of 2 X 3 ft. was charged with an amount of polyol composition A2 sufficient to achieve the part weight given below. 200 - 300 grams of a fiberglass mat, (NIC0 754) was used for each part.
The intention was to mold as many parts as possible until the quality of release was deemed unacceptable; i.e., failed to lift out easily and rapidly. Note that part numbers correspond to the run number.

Part Part R~at$oPolvol A2 Iso A Polvol AZ Iso A Demold No. Wt. (q) A /A Press.(psi~ Press.(Psi~ TemP. F TemP.oF (sec.~

1 749 100/80.07 1959 2190 80 80 90 2 741 100/81.09 2018 2187 80 80 90 As the results show, after the molding of two parts, it was determined that composition A2, at the above indexes, was unable to achieve the desired goals. The index of the polyurethane composition using polyol composition A2 was altered as indicated below. However, only two parts were able to be molded according to the following data.

Psrt Part Ratio Polvol A2 Iso A Polyol A2 Iso A Demold No. Wt. (q~ Polvol A~/Iso A Press.(psi~ Press.~psi~ Temp. F Tem~.F ~sec.

1 744 100/83.8 1970 2207 79 80 90 2 737 100/85.1 1965 2203 80 80 90 As a result of the parts sticking in a couple of small areas, polyol composition A2 was drained and polyol composition B2 added.
The material was recirculated for approximately half-an-hour. The mold was touched-up and semi-prepped. As indicated below, more than 20+ parts according to the following parameters were capable of easy release and removal from the mold.

Part Part Ratio Polvol B2 Iso A Polvol B2 Iso A Demold No. Wt. (q) Polyol 8C/Iso A Press.(Psi~ Press.(psi~ Temp. F ~emP.F (sec.
1 746 100/81.7 2075 2086 82 84 90 2 747 100/81.4 2119 2136 79 83 90 3 738 100/83.2 2074 2154 79 82 90 4 752 100/80.6 2078 2173 79 82 90 750 100/80.7 2065 2126 78 81 90 6 741 100/82.6 2041 2119 78 81 90 7 745 100/81.9 2124 2124 80 80 90 9 749 lOOt81 2036 2196 80 80 90 744 100/81.9 1952 2133 80 79 90 11 744 100/81.9 1991 2144 81 79 90 12 750 100/80.8 2009 2138 81 79 90 13 745 100/81.7 2026 2139 80 79 90 14 753 100/80.1 1996 2143 79 79 90 741 100/82.7 1998 2154 79 79 90 16 747 100/81.5 1992 2157 79 79 90 17 749 100/81.2 2008 2128 79 80 90 18 749 100/81.4 2049 2126 79 80 90 19 741 100/82.8 2020 2123 80 80 90 745 100/81.8 2018 2118 80 79 90 Polyol composition B2 was run in a plant setting to determine its performance under actual operating conditions. The composition was as set forth above. The door panel mold used was a Puromat PU-SV. The mold was prepped with an external mold release agent, (Chem-Trend LHl). As indicated below, more than 41+ parts were able to be molded without the addition of external mold release, each SRIM article being easily released and removed from the mold.
200-300 grams of 1 ounce NIC0 754 fiber glass mat was used for each part. The results were as follows:

Part # ShotShotResin IsoResin IsoRatio Demold Motd Ut.(g) TimePress.Press.Temp. Temp. Time Temp.
~psi)tpsi) ~#F)~#F) ~sec.) ~#F) 78~ OLU "nD 7V u~OO/a .,.0 sec. '~0~'~
788 --- ~ ;1 78 ~~ 00/8' .O ~ec. ' 0 L784 - - - 4 4 7D ~1 00/ O sec .0 ~POD 4 SeC. ~8,' ,8 80 78 ~/80 I~0 sec. ' 0 O1~" 4 sec .~ ~D Db DO ~. on/u . DO sec ~o~ 4 sec. 'D~ 9 70 ~OO/D~ .uo sec ' ;0 8 D8 4 sec . O, B 79 , 70 On/D . D O sec . ,n~
D D~ 4 sec. ~ ~)D DO ~ On/d . nO .--C. ~
O ~ 4 sec. O b 230 ~0 SO ~ On/ . ~0 .-C. ~ 0 7D8 L 8eC . 000 ~l~ 9 DU OD/~ ~LJ S--C U~
, .7~1D 6ec . D O O L 79 00 00/ . 00 sec u~
1J~. 1, sec. 1~ 0'8 80 0 ~00/81.~. 90 sec. ' O~i 14dOI 4 sec. 176' n; O dO ' OO/u1. 90 sec. ' 0~
~ 4 sec. 1~87~ v 379 00 ~ 00/ 2.L 90 SeC. 150~;
1070-~ 4 sec. 20060:;; 79 80 ~00/81.2 90 SeC. 150 7DD 4 SeC. 992 ~DD 80 80 00/81 .9 90 SeC. 1 0 ~SSO~ 4 SeC. ~994 ~ ~ 79 79 ~00/81.6 90 SeC. 1;0 O; 4 S~C. ~99514,8 74 79 ~00/ 0.7 90 S~C. ~rlOt~
U 9~ 4 sec. ~00519~ L80 80 ~ OO/dO.9 90 sec. ' 0~
79-~ 4 sec. 00019U~ 80 80 ~OO/32.D 90 sec. ' iO2-80~ 4 sec. ~999 193 80 80 '00/80.~ 90 sec. ' 0 DOO 4 SeC. ~98319LL 80 80 OO/80.7 90 sec. ' 0 L -9 4 SeC. 'ff61940 80 80 00/81.3 90 SeC. ~ ;0 ~S804 4 sec. ' 969~ 947 80 80 100/80. 90 sec. ' ,0 ODO4 4 SeC. ~005~ 96180 80 100/S0.4 90 sec. ' 0~
277D6 4 sec. '00119LO ~0 80 ~OO/82.L 90 sec. ~SO~', 287 4 4 sec. ~ 7 ~9~ ~9 80 ~OO/8Z.~ 90 SeC. ~ ,0~
29~03 L SeC. ~ ~77~ 9; ~ 79 80 ~ 00/80. ~ 90 SeC. ~ ,OS;
30 S 4 sec. ~7 ~9,~ DO 80 ~OO/81.U 90 sec. ' O~i 700 4 sec. '030O~i 79 SO ~00/81. 8 90 sec. ~ iO~
7~D 4 sec. '016'~78 80 ' 00/81.3 90 sec. ' Ot 397 4 sec . ObO08 1 79 0 00/81 . 90 S~C . ~0~ 1 -L79, 4 sec. OL6~10' 80 ~9 ~ OO/80.7 90 SeC. ~ ~02 ;,~ DO sec.'O 4~097 80 78 ~ 00/80.9 90 sec. ~ .;o~r ,~SO L sec. 0~8~108 79 7n 100/80.8 90 sec. ~ iO~i ,79~ L sec. O iO~09 79 7U ~ 00/8~ .L 90 sec ~ o~s ~D79G 4sec . O ~1079 ~ ~ 00/8~ . ~ 90 sec ' 0~' ;~~9D Lsec. O 10~ DO 70 00/8 .~ 90 sec. ' '~O
40796 Lsec. O '09SO 7~ ~ OO/SO. ~ 90 sec. ' 0~
41~799 4 sec. O~' 11, liO 80 '00/62.0 90 SeC. ~ ;0~;
~Dat~ for Part #1 ~as rot recorded.

Thus, as a result of the use of the compositions of the invention, the need to spray additional IMR agents was substantially reduced.
The average performance properties of the resulting finished parts were as follows:
PHY8ICAL PROPERTIE~ VALUB
Density (with glass) 33.7 pcf Foam Density 26.0 pcf Warpage .12 Dimensional Stability .05%
38C and 100% RH
Dimensional Stability .05%
24 hrs. and 70C
Tensile Strength 2730 psi Flexural Strength 5180 psi Flexural Modulus 162,700 psi Impact Resistance 0.9 J and 23C No Cracking Flammability Self Extinguishing No Burn Rate Odor No objectionable Odor Fiber Glass, Wt. 1 oz/ft2 21~7829 A preferred embodiment according to the invention is as follows:
Polyol Composition D
Components PBW
POLYOL C 54.01 PLASTOLEIN 9214 26.00 GLYCERINE 5.00 DC-1248 3.20 POLYOL D 2.00 BL-17 0.56 X-8154 0.85 33-LV 0.45 UL-32 0.09 WATER 2.50 L-550 5.00 Polyol composition D was mixed with Isocyanate A. The temperature of the components was approximately 77F. The theoretical mix ratio was Resin 100(g) and Iso 101(g). The actual mix ratio was a 90 index. The handmixed reactivity profile of the polyurethane composition was as follows:
Mix Time (sec.) 10 Cream Time (sec.) 18 Top of Cup (sec.) 32 String Gel (sec.) 38 End of Rise (sec.) 56 Tack Free (sec.) 56 Density (pcf) 3.3 % Water 2.5 There was a cup factor of 0.0596 for the above reactivity data.

21~ 7829 Polyurethane composition D of Example 3 was trialed in a plant setting. SRIM door parts were produced on a PUROMAT SV with EMB 76 mm stroke. The press was a Dake set at 2,000 psi - 60 tons. The temperature of the components was 85F + 5F. The mix pressure was 1500-2200 psi while the mold temperature was 140F to 160F.
The machine reactivity was as follows:
Ratio Polyol/Iso = 100/96 (g) Free Rise Density = 4.0 pcf Cream @ 85F = 11 seconds Gel @ 85F = 28 seconds Final Rise @ 85F = 41 seconds.
Mold Pressures were 35 psi @ 38 pcf. Demold times of less than 90 seconds were achieved.
When used on tools having new molding surfaces, multiple releases of 50 or more were possible without the application of additional EMR. Even with molding tools having less than optimum surface characteristics, multiple releases of 25+ were achieved before additional EMR was required. On average, the resultant SRIM
parts had performance properties as follows:

Performance Properties Thickness 0.122"
Specific Gravity 0.600 Flex. Mod. 150,000 psi Flex. Strength 5550 psi Tensile Strength 3110 psi Warpage 0.54~
Dimensional Stability 0.05% (38C Q 100% RH) Impact Resistance No Cracking Flammability Self Extinguishing odor No Objectionable Odor A composite article was made using the SRIM article produced in Example 3. A vinyl cover stock material, commercially available from O'Sullivan Corporation, was laid in a door panel mold. An SRIM substrate was subsequently laid in the mold. A commercially available external mold release was applied to the back of the SRIM
part. The mold was closed. A flexible polyurethane foam, commercially available from BASF Corporation as Elastoflex R2121U
was injected between the SRIM substrate and the vinyl cover stock.
The temperature of the mold was between 90-130F. The clamp tonnage was approximately 30 tons. The part was demolded after about 50-100 sec. Adhesion of the flexible foam to the vinyl was 1.49 lb./in. (width) while adhesion of the flexible foam to the SRIM article was 2.55 lb./in.

Claims

1. A polyol composition capable of providing internal mold release properties to a polyurethane system, comprising:
A.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000; and B.) an effective amount of an internal mold release composition, comprising:
a.) a silicon-containing polymer; and, b.) an epoxidized ester.

2. The polyol composition of claim 1 wherein the silicon-containing polymer comprises a secondary hydroxyl functional polydimethylsiloxane.

3. The polyol composition of claim 2 wherein the epoxidized ester is an epoxidized alkyl fatty acid ester.

4. The polyol composition of claim 3 wherein the epoxidized ester is epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl tallate ester.

5. The polyol composition of claim 4 wherein the epoxidized ester comprises an epoxidized ester having:
a minimum weight % total epoxide of 4.4;
a maximum acid# (mg KOH/ g) of 1.0; and a maximum total unsaturation (weight % iodine) of 4Ø

6. The polyol composition of claim 5 wherein the epoxidized ester comprises an epoxidized ester having:
a weight % total epoxide between 4.9 and 5.1;

an acid# between 0.50 and 0.60; and a total unsaturation (weight % iodine) between 1.0 and 2.5

7. The polyol composition of claim 6 wherein the epoxidized ester is 2-ethylhexyl epoxy tallate having:
a weight % total epoxide of about 5.0;
an acid# of about 0.55; and a total unsaturation (weight % iodine) of about 1.9.

8. The polyol composition of claim 1 wherein an effective amount of the internal mold release composition is from 10 to 60 percent by weight, based on the weight of the total polyol composition.

9. The polyol composition of claim 8 wherein the internal mold release composition comprises:
from 1 to 99 pbw of the silicon-containing polymer; and from 99 to 1 pbw of the epoxidized ester, the pbw being based of the weight of the internal mold release agent.

10. The polyol composition of claim 9 comprising:
from 1 to 50 pbw of the silicon-containing polymer; and from 50 to 99 pbw of the epoxidized ester.

11. The polyol composition of claim 10 comprising:
from 5 to 15 pbw of the silicon-containing polymer; and from 85 to 95 pbw of the epoxidized ester.

12. The polyol composition of claim 1 wherein the isocyanate reactive polyol comprises at least one polyol having a nitrogen-containing molecule as an initiator.

13. The polyol composition of claim 12 wherein the isocyanate reactive polyol comprises at least one polyol having at least one initiator containing an amine group.

14. The polyol composition of claim 13 wherein the amine-containing initiator is an aromatic.

15. The polyol composition of claim 13 wherein the aromatic diamine is diamine having vicinal amino groups.

16. The polyol composition of claim 13 wherein the at least one polyol is oxypropylated.

17. The polyol composition of claim 12 wherein the isocyanate reactive polyol further comprises a polyester polyol.

18. The polyol composition of claim 1 further comprising a cross-linking agent.

19. The polyol composition of claim 16 wherein the cross-linking agent is a polyol having a molecular weight of less than 400.

20. The polyol composition of claim 17 wherein the cross-linking agent is glycerine.

21. The polyol composition of claim 1 further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of catalysts, blowing agents, surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

22. The polyol composition of claim 19 wherein the additive is a blowing agent and the blowing agent is water.

23. The polyol composition of claim 20 wherein the additive is a catalyst selected from the group consisting of amine catalysts, metal-containing catalysts and mixtures thereof.

24. The polyol composition of claim 21 wherein the additive is a cell stabilizing surfactant.

25. A polyol composition capable of providing internal mold release properties to a polyurethane system, comprising:
A.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol comprising at least one polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol having an amine substituted aromatic molecule as an initiator; and B.) an effective amount of an internal mold release composition, consisting of:
from 1 to 50 pbw of a secondary hydroxyl functional polydimethylsiloxane, based on the weight of the internal mold release composition; and from 50 to 99 pbw of epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl tallate ester, based on the weight of the internal mold release composition.

26. A polyurethane composition for the preparation of molded polyurethane articles having internal mold release properties, the composition comprising:
I.) an isocyanate component; and II.) an isocyanate reactive polyol component, comprising:
A.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000; and B.) an effective amount of an internal mold release composition, comprising:
a.) a silicon-containing polymer; and, b.) an epoxidized ester.

27. The polyurethane composition of claim 26 wherein the silicon-containing polymer comprises a secondary hydroxyl functional polydimethylsiloxane.

28. The polyurethane composition of claim 27 wherein the epoxidized ester is an epoxidized alkyl fatty acid ester.

29. The polyurethane composition of claim 28 wherein the epoxidized ester is epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl tallate ester.

30. The polyurethane composition of claim 29 wherein the epoxidized ester comprises an epoxidized ester having:
a minimum weight % total epoxide of 4.4;
a maximum acid# (mg KOH/ g) of 1.0; and a maximum total unsaturation (weight % iodine) of 4Ø

31. The polyurethane composition of claim 30 wherein the epoxidized ester comprises an epoxidized ester having:
a weight % total epoxide between 4.9 and 5.1;
an acid# between 0.50 and 0.60; and a total unsaturation (weight % iodine) between 1.0 and 2.5

32. The polyurethane composition of claim 31 wherein the epoxidized ester is 2-ethylhexyl epoxy tallate having:
a weight % total epoxide of about 5.0;
an acid# of about 0.55; and a total unsaturation (weight % iodine) of about 1.9.

33. The polyurethane composition of claim 26 wherein an effective amount of the internal mold release composition is from 10 to 60 pbw, based on the total weight of isocyanate reactive polyol component (II).

34. The polyurethane composition of claim 33 wherein the internal mold release composition comprises:
from 1 to 99 pbw of the silicon-containing polymer; and from 99 to 1 pbw of the epoxidized ester, the pbw being based of the weight of the internal mold release agent.

35. The polyurethane composition of claim 34 comprising:
from 1 to 50 pbw of the silicon-containing polymer; and from 50 to 99 pbw of the epoxidized ester.

36. The polyurethane composition of claim 35 comprising:
from 1 to 15 pbw of the silicon-containing polymer; and from 85 to 99 pbw of the epoxidized ester.

37. The polyurethane composition of claim 26 wherein the isocyanate reactive polyol comprises at least one polyol having a nitrogen-containing molecule as an initiator.

38. The polyurethane composition of claim 36 wherein the at least one polyol has at least one initiator having amine groups.

39. The polyurethane composition of claim 38 wherein the initiator is toluene diamine.

40. The polyurethane composition of claim 39 wherein the at least one polyol is oxypropylated.

41. The polyurethane composition of claim 26 further comprising a cross-linking agent.

42. The polyurethane composition of claim 41 wherein the cross-linking agent is a polyol having a molecular weight of less than 400.

43. The polyurethane composition of claim 42 wherein the cross-linking agent is glycerine.

44. The polyurethane composition of claim 26 further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of catalysts, blowing agents, surfactants and mixtures thereof.

45. The polyurethane composition of claim 44 wherein the additive is a blowing agent and the blowing agent is water.

46. The polyurethane composition of claim 44 wherein the additive is a catalyst selected from the group consisting of amine catalysts, metal-containing catalysts and mixtures thereof.

47. The polyurethane composition of claim 26 wherein the isocyanate component is comprised of polymeric MDI.

48. A process of making a molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties, the process comprising:
providing a mold;
placing in the mold, a composition comprising:
I.) an isocyanate component; and II.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol component, comprising:
A.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000; and B.) an effective amount of an internal mold release composition, comprising:
a.) a silicon-containing polymer; and, b.) an epoxidized ester; and allowing the composition to react within the mold for a time sufficient to produce a molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties.

49. The process of claim 48 wherein the composition placed in the mold has an isocyanate-reactive polyol component having a polyol (A) comprising at least one polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol having an amine substituted aromatic molecule as an initiator.

50. The process of claim 49 wherein the polyol (A) is an oxypropylated, toluene diamine-initiated polyol.

51. The process of claim 50 wherein the polyol (A) has a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to 700 and an OH number of from 300 to 500.

52. The process of claim 48 wherein the composition placed in the mold has an internal mold release composition (B) wherein the silicon-containing polymer is a secondary hydroxyl functional polydimethylsiloxane.

53. The process of claim 48 wherein the composition placed in the mold has an internal mold release composition (B) wherein the epoxidized ester is an epoxidized alkyl fatty acid ester.

54. The process of claim 53 wherein the epoxidized ester is epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl tallate ester.

55. The process of claim 48 further comprising placing a fiberglass mat within the mold.

56. The process of claim 48 wherein the composition is allowed to react within the mold for less than one minute.

57. The process of claim 56 wherein the composition reacts within the mold for less than 51 seconds.

58. A molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties, produced by the process of providing a mold;
placing in the mold, a composition comprising:
I.) an isocyanate component; and II.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol component, comprising:
A.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000; and B.) an effective amount of an internal mold release composition, comprising:
a.) a silicon-containing polymer; and, b.) an epoxidized ester;
allowing the composition to react within the mold for a time sufficient to produce a molded polyurethane article having internal mold release properties; and removing the molded polyurethane article from the mold.

59. The foam produced by the process of claim 58 wherein the composition placed in the mold comprises polyol component (II) having an isocyanate-reactive polyol (A) comprising at least one polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol having a nitrogen containing molecule as an initiator; and an effective amount of an internal mold release composition (B), consisting of:
from 1 to 50 pbw of a secondary hydroxyl functional polydimethylsiloxane, based on the weight of the internal mold release composition; and from 50 to 99 pbw of epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl tallate ester, based on the weight of the internal mold release composition.

60. A method of making a composite molded article, comprising:
placing within a composite article mold, a cover stock;
subsequently placing within the composite article mold, a molded polyurethane SRIM article having internal mold release properties, the SRIM article being produced by the process comprising:
providing an SRIM article mold;
placing in the SRIM article mold, an SRIM composition comprising:
I.) an isocyanate component; and II.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol component, comprising:
A.) an isocyanate-reactive polyol having a molecular weight from 100 to about 10,000; and B.) an effective amount of an internal mold release composition, comprising:

a.) a silicon-containing polymer; and, b.) an epoxidized ester;
allowing the composition to react within the mold for a time sufficient to produce a molded polyurethane SRIM article having internal mold release properties; and removing the SRIM article from the mold;
providing within the composite article mold, a polyurethane foam composition; and allowing the polyurethane foam composition to react inside the composite article mold for a time sufficient to produce a composite molded article.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the polyurethane foam composition is a flexible foam composition and is positioned so as to join the cover stock to the SRIM article.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the flexible foam composition is between the cover stock and the SRIM article.

63. The method of claim 61 which produces a composite molded article which exhibits no significant reduction in adhesion between the flexible foam and the cover stock.

64. The method of claim 61 which produces a composite molded article which exhibits no significant reduction in adhesion between the flexible foam and the SRIM article.

65. The method of claim 60 wherein placing a cover stock within the composite article mold comprises placing a cover stock selected from the group consisting of vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, cloth, polyurethane foam, and mixtures thereof.

66. The method of claim 60 wherein placing an SRIM article within the composite article mold comprises: placing within the composite article mold an SRIM article produced by the process further comprising providing within the SRIM article mold a fiber glass mat.