Production of Polyurethane Foam and Its Wide Range of Applications
Gama N V,et al. Materials, 2018, 11(10): 1841.
Polyurethane (PU) is a polymer formed by the reaction between the OH (hydroxyl) groups of polyols and the NCO (isocyanate functional) groups of isocyanates. Among PU consumption, polyurethane foam (PUF) accounts for 67% of global PU consumption.
PUFs are expanded materials, and their structure results from the combination of several processes. First, the reactants are mixed together, next, a polymerization (reaction between isocyanate and polyol-see Scheme 1) and expansion (reaction between isocyanate and water-see Scheme 2) take place almost simultaneously.
Due to its low density, low thermal conductivity, sound absorption properties and mechanical properties, PUF is mainly used as thermal and acoustic insulation as well as structural and comfort materials
Versatile Applications of Polyurethane in Numerous Fields: From Medicine to Marine Industry
Das, Abhijit, et al. Advanced Industrial and Engineering Polymer Research, 2020, 3(3), 93-101.
Polyurethanes are formed by reacting di/polyisocyanates with diols or polyols to form repeating urethane linkages in the presence of chain extenders and other additives. The potential markets for polyurethane applications are almost unlimited and it has developed into foams (flexible, rigid, flame retardant), elastomers, adhesives, coatings, paints. In addition, by changing the chain length of the polyol chain, molecular weight, functionality and functionalization with elements such as fluorine, acrylic or rubber, the properties of polyurethane can be greatly modified to meet the individual needs of different fields.
Application overview of polyurethane
· Medical applications: tubing, surgical drapes, catheters, hospital bedding, wound dressings, etc.
· Automotive industry: car seats, bumpers and body materials, etc.
· CASE industry: coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.
· Marine applications: polyurethane-based epoxies, marine coatings, removal media, etc.
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