POLYURETHANE

Name: Polyurethane, PU, ​​TPU, Urethane

Real Name: Polyurethane

Composition: -NH-(CO)O

Family: Thermoplastics (Elastomers)

Density: 1.14

Temperature Range: -40°C/80°C

Owned by: Interessen‐Gemeinschaft Farbenindustrie AG (originally)

The history of polyurethane begins in 1937, when German chemist Otto Bayer and his research team at IG Farben first developed this material through the reaction of diisocyanates and polyethers. Initially, polyurethane was conceived as an alternative to expensive and scarce materials, but its technical advantages over other polymers were quickly recognized.

During World War II, polyurethane found its first practical applications in corrosion-resistant coatings and high-performance adhesives. In the 1950s, with advances in the production of flexible foams, its use expanded to furniture, upholstery, and mattresses. Later, in the 1960s and 1970s, rigid polyurethane foams became key materials for thermal insulation in construction and industrial refrigeration.

Today, polyurethane is considered a strategic polymer due to its adaptability to multiple applications and the continuous innovation that keeps it relevant in the development of new products and technologies.

Polyurethane is distinguished by its enormous versatility. Depending on its formulation, it can be presented as a rigid, flexible, expanded, or compact material. This design flexibility makes it one of the most adaptable polymers to the specific needs of each industry.

One of its most notable characteristics is its high mechanical strength, both tensile and compressive, allowing it to function in demanding applications where other plastics would not be suitable. Furthermore, polyurethane offers excellent resistance to abrasion and wear, making it an ideal material for parts subject to constant friction, such as wheels, coatings, and seals.

Polyurethane also has good chemical resistance, being able to withstand oils, greases, and solvents to certain degrees. Another of its key properties is its insulating capacity, both thermally and acoustically, making it ideal for construction and refrigeration systems.

In terms of elasticity, polyurethane elastomers combine the flexibility of rubber with the strength of engineering plastics, offering a unique balance between comfort and durability. Furthermore, polyurethane can be foamed in different densities, allowing for the production of everything from extremely lightweight materials to compact and resistant products.

Polyurethane's applications cover a very wide range thanks to its ability to adapt to different formats and properties. In the furniture and upholstery sectors, flexible polyurethane foams are the essential raw material in mattresses, sofas, car seats, and office chairs, providing comfort and durability.

In the construction industry, polyurethane is used in rigid foams for thermal and acoustic insulation in walls, ceilings, floors, and industrial refrigeration systems. Its low coefficient of thermal conductivity makes it one of the most efficient materials for maintaining energy efficiency in buildings and appliances such as refrigerators and freezers.

In the automotive industry, it is used in seats, steering wheels, interior panels, floor coverings, gaskets, and structural components that require wear resistance and lightness. It is also a key material in footwear, used in soles, insoles, and overlays that combine comfort with resistance to intensive use.

The medical industry uses polyurethane in prosthetics, catheters, bandages, and medical devices due to its biocompatibility and flexibility. In industrial applications, polyurethane is found in load-bearing wheels, rollers, protective coatings, and high-performance adhesives, standing out for its wear resistance and adhesion.

In the field of innovation, polyurethane continues to evolve toward sustainable solutions, including foams obtained from plant-based polyols and recycling processes that seek to reduce its environmental impact. This maintains its position as a key material in the present and future of engineering polymers.