Polyurethane Facts for Kids

Plastic pipe with insulation. The red pipe, and the black mantle are made of polyethylene, the yellow-brown foam is made of polyurethane

Polyurethane is a polymer. Its name is often shortened to PU or PUR. Polyurethane is made of organic units, which are joined by urethane. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization. In this process, a monomer containing at least two isocyanate functional groups reacts with another monomer containing at least two hydroxyl (alcohol) groups in the presence of a catalyst.

Polyurethane is available with different levels of stiffness, hardness or densities. Examples for such materials are:

Low-density flexible foam used in upholstery
Low-density rigid foam used for thermal insulation and RTM cores
Soft solid elastomers used for gel pads and print rollers
Low density elastomers used in footwear
Hard solid plastics used as electronic instrument bezels and structural parts

Polyurethanes are widely used in high resiliency flexible foam seating, rigid foam insulation panels, microcellular foam seals and gaskets, durable elastomeric wheels and tires, automotive suspension bushings, electrical potting compounds, high performance adhesives and sealants, Spandex fibers, seals, gaskets, 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 neither produced from ethyl carbamate, nor do they contain it.

Images for kids

A kitchen sponge made of polyurethane foam
Prof. Otto Bayer in 1952 demonstrating his creation
MDI isomers and polymer
Polyurethane foam made with an aromatic isocyanate, which has been exposed to UV light. Readily apparent is the discoloration that occurs over time.
A high-pressure polyurethane dispense unit, showing control panel, high-pressure pump, integral day tanks, and hydraulic drive unit
A high-pressure mix head, showing simple controls (front view)
A high-pressure mix head, showing material supply and hydraulic actuator lines (rear view)
A low-pressure mix head with calibration chamber installed, showing material supply and air actuator lines
Low-pressure mix head components, including mix chambers, conical mixers, and mounting plates
5-gallon (20-liter) material day tanks for supplying a low-pressure dispense unit

Polyurethane facts for kids

Images for kids

See also