Advantages, Physical Properties, and Applications of Polyurethane
Polyurethane (PU/PUR) is a flexible and resilient polymer featuring organic units, which are joined by urethane links. The polyurethane is available with ester, or ether based formulations. These formulations add to their versatility, and help control their stiffness, durability, and densities across a wide range of applications.
Polyurethanes are affordable and popularly usedplastic materials. They provide various advantages over other regular plastic materials, such as:
Sustainability: Polyurethane aids in the preservation of natural resources. Coatings made from polyurethane are used to improve the shelf life of various products, which help in sustainability. Polyurethane varnishes are used in the construction industry. They help architects insulate buildings easily, and help reduce consumption of oil, gas, and electricity. Polyurethane is used to develop lightweight automotive components. These components help reduce fuel consumption, and pollution caused by emissions. Also, polyurethane polymers can be easily recycled.
Versatility:Polyurethanes are present in everything from surf bags to foam mattresses. Their growing popularity is attributed to factors such as recyclability, affordability, and safety.
Performance in Harsh Environments:Polyurethane can perform well in extreme temperatures, and can resist harsh chemicals.
Colorfast:Polyurethanes look clear in unfilled grades. However, they respond well with various coloring pigments. UV shielding is added to color pigments for application over outdoor items.
Ideal for Subsea Applications:Polyurethane offers stable performance under the influence of oil, water, and grease. Polyether formulated polyurethane compounds are used in subsea applications, and they have comparatively better shelf lives than regular plastic components.
High abrasion resistance
Excellent tensile strength
Low-temperature flexibility
High Impact resistance
Allows thick section molding
Possess variable coefficient of friction
Good heat and chemical resistance
The table below provides the technical specifications of PU.
Maximum Temperature |
Tensile |
Impact |
Chemical Resistance |
Flexural Modulus |
150°-230° F |
6,500-33,000 PSI |
1.5-10 ft-lb/in Notched izod |
Good |
230,000-2,000,000 PSI |
Polyurethanes are used for protecting various applications such as:
Polyurethane insulation in buildings, and refrigerators
Shock absorbers in automobiles
Packaging delicate items
Shoe soles
Anti-corrosive coatings for buildings, floors, walls, cables, and pipes
Air filters
Polyurethanes are also used in comfort applications:
Furniture Cushions
Clothing
Carpet Underlays
Automobile Seat Cushions