A polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links.
It is widely used in flexible and rigid foams, durable elastomers and high performance adhesives and sealants, fibers, seals, gaskets, condoms, carpet underlay, and hard plastic parts.
Polyurethane products are often called "urethanes". They should not be confused with
the specific substance urethane, also known as ethyl carbamate. Polyurethanes are not
produced from ethyl carbamate, nor do they contain it.
Polyurethane foam (PF) – is a light firm hydrothermal insulation material with a specific structure that stipulates the lowest thermal conductivity rate and the least water absorbing compared to other heat insulation materials.
Polyurethane foam popularity is explained by the simplicity of their obtaining process right at their application place.
This is possible due to the fact that the charge stock for polyurethane foam are liquid materials of various viscosity rate; when mixing them, a chemical reaction of polymer fusion takes place; the polymer simultaneously frothers and a gaseous medium is created (evaporates).
Elastic semi-rigid and rigid materials are manufactured from polyurethane foam. Polyurethanes are processed almost with all existing engineering methods - extrusion, pressing, casting, moulding, sputtering, etc. Absolutely all known construction materials and products types are obtained from polyurethane: filled, clad, frothed, laminated
and other types in the form of plates, sheets, blocks, profiles, fibers, skims; products and constructions from polyurethane are also used in absolutely all industry branches.
Due to a possibility of receipt changes in polyurethane foam properties, it is possible to use them for heat insulation of industrial and civil buildings, constructed from ferroconcrete blocks, brick and other materials, for heat insulation and doorways and window openings compression, as well as heat insulation of any type of a conduit.
Another very interesting technology application area is insulation and waterproofing building roofs. Polyurethane foam application here makes it possible to cover roofs of any configuration without a single joint. It is possible to apply the material both onto new constructions and onto old ones covered with metal, ruberoid or roofing slate. It is not obligatory to dismantle old cover or to conduct any kind of first workings.
Uses
Polyurethane products have many uses. Over three quarters of the global consumption of polyurethane products is in the form of foams, with flexible and rigid types being roughly equal in market size. In both cases, the foam is usually behind other materials: flexible foams are behind upholstery fabrics in commercial and domestic furniture; rigid foams are inside the metal and plastic walls of most refrigerators and freezers, or behind paper, metals and other surface materials in the case of thermal insulation panels in the construction sector. Its use in garments is growing: for example, in lining the cups of brassieres.
Here are Surfboards made out of Polyurethane foam - Some surfboards are now made out of 2LB Polystyrene foam.
The precursors of expanding polyurethane foam are available in many forms, for use in insulation,
sound deadening, flotation, packing material, and even cast-in-place upholstery padding. Since
they adhere to most surfaces and automatically fill voids, they have become quite popular in these applications.
What are Polyurethane Applications
Rest area: in mattresses as main filling or as part of quilts.
Furniture sector: in seats of sofas and chairs, padded fillers, etc.
Construction sector: as thermal insulation, acoustic absorbent, etc.
Automotive sector: in dashboards, seats, etc.
In many toys, sponges, shoes, pillows, clothing, packaging and in general all kind of fillings and quilting.
