What is polyurethane binders ?Polyurethane binders are used to adhere numerous types of particles and fibers to each other. Their primary areas of use are in the manufacturing of wood panels, rubber or elastomeric flooring surfaces and sand casting for the foundry industry. The highest volume application for polyurethane binders is in the manufacture of Oriented Strand Board (OSB). These wood pane...

What is Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) Car bumpers, electrical housing panels and computer and telecommunication equipment enclosures are some of the parts produced with polyurethanes using reaction injection molding (RIM). Adding design flexibility, the polyurethane RIM process produces parts that are usually not achievable using typical injection molding processes, such as thick- and thin-wall...

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) offers a myriad of physical property combinations and processing applications. It is highly elastic, flexible and resistant to abrasion, impact and weather. TPUs can be colored or fabricated in a wide variety of methods and their use can increase a product's overall durability.TPU is an elastomer that is fully thermoplastic. Like al...

What is the use of polyurethanes in the CASE marketplace?Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers (CASE) The uses of polyurethanes in the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE) market offer a broad and growing spectrum of applications and benefits. Polyurethane coatings can enhance a product’s appearance and lengthen its lifespan. Polyurethane adhesives can provide strong bonding ...

What is Rigid Polyurethane Foam Rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate (polyiso) foams create one of the world's most popular, energy-efficient and versatile insulations. These foams can significantly cut energy costs while making commercial and residential properties more efficient and comfortable.According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 56 percent of the...

What is flexible polyurethane foam?Flexible polyurethane foam is used as cushioning for a variety of consumer and commercial products, including bedding, furniture, automotive interiors, carpet underlay and packaging. Flexible foam can be created in almost any variety of shapes and firmness. It is light, durable, supportive and comfortable.Flexible polyurethane foam accounts for about 30 percent o...

Types and application of PolyurethaneHeating and cooling costs amount to about 56 percent of the energy used in the average American home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The nature of the chemistry allows polyurethanes to be adapted to solve challenging problems, to be molded into unusual shapes and to enhance industrial and consumer products.Polyurethanes are formed by reacting a p...

How does polyurethane affect Economic growth?Economic growthThrough both direct and indirect activities, the polyurethanes industry represents tens of thousands of companies and millions of jobs the world over. It is however important to stress that its growth is sustainable, as polyurethanes make a considerable contribution to resource conservation.For example, it is estimated that, during its se...

What is the social benefits of polyurethane?In addition to the valuable contribution they make to the environment and the general economy, polyurethanes also bring greater levels of comfort and ease to everyday life. In other words, through the production of useful, high-quality products, polyurethanes not only benefit the environment and the economy, but also the lives of those who use them: a tr...

Timeline of Polyurethane Applications1937Dr. Otto Bayer discovers the basic polyurethane chemistry. I.G. Farben (Bayer) patents the process1940Rigid foam first introduced for aircraft1941Adhesive between rubber, metal and glass1948First insulation application – a beer barrel1949Vulcanized rollable polyurethane rubber1953Shoe soles – Synthetic leather1954Foam cushions1958Introduction of Spandex fib...

History of Polyurethane1.First developed by Dr. Otto Bayer in 1937 at the I.G. Farben Laboratories, a subdivision of Bayer Corporation, in Leverkusen, Germany.2.Realized they could create new materials with special characteristics by applying the principle of polyaddition to liquid diisocyanates and existing polyester and polyether diols.3.Part of a larger governement sponsored scientific and tech...

How to apply polyurethane for a durable,beautiful finish?Applying PolyurethanePolyurethane is widely revered as one of the most durable yet easy-to-apply protective wood finishes. Polyurethanes are now available in both oil-based and water-based, and there are differences in the way in which both are applied and in durability. However, for many projects that will see a lot of wear and tear, few fi...

What's the difference between polyurethane, varnish, shellac and lacquer?The ravages of time and use of a piece of furniture can be limited by a durable top or finish coat. While the terms varnish, polyurethane, lacquer and shellac are commonly used to reference a final finish in general, these products are not the same, nor are they recommended to be used interchangeably.ShellacThis finish is act...

How to apply polyurethane?1: Seal the surfaceThin your oil-based polyurethane with mineral spirits. Brush the sealer on with a natural-bristle brush using long, even strokes. Be sure to catch any runs.If you plan to stain the work surface, be sure to follow the directions on the can. Whether the stain you use is oil-based or water-based, be sure the surface is clean and dry before you brush on the...

What is a Vibrating Screen?A vibrating screen is a large mechanical tool used to separate solids, liquids and powders. Industries as diverse as mining operations, chemical companies and construction firms utilize these tools to help sort and clean items. Using gravity, motion and mesh screens, these tools perform the work of several people in a fraction of the time.A vibrating screen separator is ...

A broad perspective neededFire safety encompasses a set of practices and measures intended to prevent fires as well as to limit harm that fires can cause once they have started. The behaviour of those occupying the building is equally crucial to building and product design – including insulation materials – in order to guarantee the highest level of fire safety. Improving fire safety requires ongo...

Polyurethanes are materials that make our lives more comfortable. They can take many forms, as outlined below:MattressesPolyurethane foam is widely used in mattresses for both comfort and support. It is long-lasting and easy to work with, making it popular with designers and manufacturers. Foam for furniture and bedding has an open cellular structure, allowing good ventilation and heat transfer. T...

The Earth's resources are limited and it is vital that we only take what we need and do our share to protect what is left for future generations. Polyurethanes play a crucial role in preserving the natural resources of our planet. Durable polyurethane coatings ensure that the lifetime of many products is extended well beyond what would be achieved without the coating. Polyurethanes help to save en...

Primitive conveyor belts were used since the 19th century. In 1892, Thomas Robins began a series of inventions which led to the development of a conveyor belt used for carrying coal, ores and other products.In 1901, Sandvik invented and started the production of steel conveyor belts. In 1905 Richard Sutcliffe invented the first conveyor belts for use in coal mines which revolutionized the mining i...

Polyurethanes are used for protective purposes in a diversity of forms. Below, you can learn more about how they offer protection in our day-to-day lives.InsulationPolyurethane insulation helps to ensure increased energy efficiency in buildings, thus protecting the Earth's valuable resources by reducing the need to burn oil and gas. It is estimated that wider application of existing technology bas...

Polyurethanes are based on oil, a finite resource. However, the product qualities of polyurethanes are such that they help to conserve many resources, while at the same time safeguarding high and ever increasing standards of living.In terms of the environment, polyurethanes actively help fight climate change in a variety of ways:As effective insulators, they improve the energy efficiency of buildi...

From field to table- Polyurethanes Insulation in the Cold Food ChainA cold food chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain, which helps extend and ensure the shelf life of food products. It starts from food production and ends in domestic refrigerators.From insulating animal sheds to distribution of refrigerated containers via storage in cold stores, to local storage in supermarkets, and endin...

There are few products that can compete with polyurethanes in terms of versatility and popularity. From insulation to surf boards, from car airbags to window sealants, polyurethanes are everywhere in our daily lives.Their growing success and increased use is further boosted by the fact that they are affordable, safe and recyclable, and these qualities make them the product of choice for manufactur...

Polyurethanes, like all plastics, are polymers made by reacting diisocyanates (MDI and/or TDI) with a range of polyols. Depending on the desired end product, chemical formulations may contain other ingredients such as catalysts, blowing agents and possibly flame retardants. These various combinations allow the manufacture of a range of product types including: rigid and flexible foamsrigid and fle...

How many products can be made from polyurethanes?Quite frankly, even we cannot be 100% sure! The material is so versatile that it can be found in anything from roof insulation to surfboards. As there are almost endless combinations of starting materials, the number of finished products appears to be limitless too. Because of its wide-ranging benefits, the industry is constantly coming up with new ...

ElastomersPolyurethane elastomers are used in a very wide range of applications, essentially in the engineering field, where properties of durability, abrasion resistance and chemical and oil resistance are needed. Applications include rollers and belts to carry minerals in quarrying operations, wheels for Rollerblades and hospital trolleys, rollers for printing processes and hoses, and other comp...

CoatingsMany modern coatings, whether for vehicles and cables, floors and walls, or bridges and roads, contain polyurethanes, which safely and effectively shield exposed surfaces from the elements and various forms of pollution, so that they look better and last longer.The durability, corrosion resistance and weather resistance of polyurethanes makes them suitable for coating all kinds of surfaces...

Polyurethanes are widely used in car manufacture, offering real benefits in terms of comfort, protection and energy conservation.Polyurethane foams can be found in seats, armrests and headrests of most cars, where their cushioning properties help to reduce the fatigue and stress often associated with driving.Their durability and light weight, combined with their strength, make them ideal not only ...

Good footwear should be comfortable, long-lasting and fit for purpose – not to mention affordable. Polyurethanes allow designers to meet all of these objectives.Light but highly abrasion-resistant polyurethanes are perfect for hardwearing shoe soles, with excellent long-term mechanical properties. Polyurethane soles are practical and keep water out, while in no way limiting design potential.Within...

This section looks at the main properties of polyurethanes and explains their widespread use in so many applications. Not only are polyurethanes affordable and safe, they are also sustainable materials offering added comfort and protection to our everyday lives.The sustainability section outlines how polyurethanes preserve the Earth’s natural resources by reducing the need for energy. It also summ...

Modern homes and offices would be far less comfortable without polyurethanes. Flexible polyurethane foams are soft, yet provide good support, durable, and maintain their shape. They are an excellent and safe filling material for seating cushions and mattresses and can be produced to the density required by the manufacturer. Their versatility allows designers to use the full scope of their imaginat...

Rigid polyurethane insulating foam makes a major contribution to sustainability and eco-design by reducing the energy required to keep refrigerators and freezers cold.Polyurethane rigid foam is the insulating material which is most widely used throughout the world for refrigerators and freezers. The insulation efficiency of polyurethane foams is a key property for the low temperature preservatio...

Buildings currently waste a large proportion of the energy that goes into them. This energy heats up the earth instead of our homes, wastes money and increases our dependence on foreign energy supply. The estimated 160 million buildings in Europe, for example, account for more than 40% of the European Union’s energy consumption and 36% of our CO2 emissions. Finding ways of lowering the carbon foot...

Polyurethanes are found just about everywhere in modern life; the chair you are sitting on, the bed you sleep in, the house you live in, the car you drive – all these, plus innumerable other items you use every day, probably contain polyurethanes.This section explores some of the more common applications of polyurethanes and provides an insight into their use. It shows how versatile they are and a...

The polymeric materials known as polyurethanes form a family of polymers which are essentially different from most other plastics in that there is no urethane monomer and the polymer is almost invariably created during the manufacture of a particular object.Polyurethanes are made by the exothermic reactions between alcohols with two or more reactive hydroxyl (-OH) groups per molecule (diols, triol...

In The Essential Chemical Industry - Online, there are 76 units which describe key aspects of the chemical industry in a concise way. They are designed so that you can ‘dip in’ to them to retrieve the information you need.Although the units are self-contained, you will find that throughout this web site there are cross-references to material in other units, which is easily obtained by the designa...

Polyurethanes, like all plastics, are polymers made by reacting diisocyanates (MDI and/or TDI) with a range of polyols. Depending on the desired end product, chemical formulations may contain other ingredients such as catalysts, blowing agents and possibly flame retardants. These various combinations allow the manufacture of a range of product types including: rigid and flexible foamsrigid and fle...

Polyurethane (PUR and PU) is a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. While most polyurethanes are thermosetting polymers that do not melt when heated, thermoplastic polyurethanes are also available.Polyurethane polymers are traditionally and most commonly formed by reacting a di- or polyisocyanate with a polyol. Both the isocyanates and polyols used to make polyur...