The article investigates the influence of ultraviolet (UV) on polyurethane foams' structural and mechanical characteristics. To assess the impact of changes and degradation of foam properties, studies were conducted for two groups of samples: those without exposure to UV and those exposed to natural UV for 3 months. According to the analysis of IR spectra, insignificant chemical changes in the structure of the outer surface of the samples were established as a result of three months of UV influence on the foam. No noticeable chemical changes were found in the inner part of such samples. Compression tests of samples of different groups were carried out under static loading to study the change in mechanical characteristics. Based on experimental tests, changes in the values of mechanical, strength, and deformation characteristics were investigated: Young's modulus, elastic strength, yield strength, and degree of deformation recovery. A conclusion was made about the resistance of polyurethane foam to ultraviolet influence for a period of up to three months.
