Viscoelastic polyurethane foams

The invention relates to viscoelastic polyurethane foams and a process for making them. These soft foams, which incorporate a polyoxyalkylene monol, are useful in a wide variety of applications such as bedding, shoe soles, ear plugs, and protective sports equipment. Viscoelastic foams and a process for making them are disclosed. The foams are produced with a unique isocyanate-reactive mixture that includes a low equivalent weight polyol and from about 15 to about 70 wt. % of a polyester or polyoxyalkylene monol having a number average equivalent weight greater than about 1000. The monol is the key to formulating excellent viscoelastic foams over a broad range of processing conditions and isocyanate indices. A "reactive" monol gives TDI-based viscoelastic foams with improved "hand feel" and reduced levels of residual toluenediamines.