what is polyurethane

11 months ago 43
Nature

Polyurethane is a class of polymers composed of organic units joined by carbamate links. It is a plastic material that exists in various forms and can be tailored to be either rigid or flexible. Polyurethane is produced from a wide range of starting materials, which produces polyurethanes with different chemical structures leading to many different applications. These include rigid and flexible foams, coatings, adhesives, electrical potting compounds, and fibers such as spandex and polyurethane laminate (PUL) . Polyurethane is made of two main chemical components: polymers and urethane. During the chemical process, polymers are linked together by urethane groups, creating a versatile solution that can take many forms. Polyurethane foam is created by the chemical reaction of Diisocyanates and polyols, which are derived from organic crude oil. Polyurethane foam is utilized for many purposes including insulation, sound-proofing, and foundation repair.