It is nearly impossible to find an industry that does not use polyurethane. It is used in everything from apparel to packaging and flooring to electronics.
How Are Polyurethanes Used?
It is nearly impossible to find an industry that does not use polyurethane. It is used in everything from apparel to packaging and flooring to electronics.
This is a list of a few ways that this versatile product is used:
Automotive
Cars have polyurethane parts from bumper to bumper. In fact, the bumpers are usually lined with polyurethane foams and covered with polyurethane, too. Polyurethanes are also used in the interior spaces as well as in doors and windows.
They insulate the car and they are also used in some of the drivetrain parts. These types of products are used instead of metal because of the durability and flexibility they provide. Polyurethane parts improve fuel economy and increase comfort for passengers.
Packaging
When you are looking to reduce the weight of packaging components, polyurethane is the go-to material for your dunnage needs. It can be customized to the shape of any item for protection and cushioning. Polyurethane packaging foam (PPF) is used to package items like fragile glass and delicate electronics. PPF is versatile, cost-effective, and customizable.
Apparel
Polyurethane is used to make fabrics like nylon and spandex. It is so popular in the apparel industry because the stretchy fabrics return to their original shape. They also offer an alternative to leather for people who prefer to live a vegan lifestyle.
Flooring
Polyurethanes are used to make, coat, and cushion floors. They make floors durable, easy to maintain, long-lasting, and comfortable. They also reduce ambient noises and very few, if any, harmful volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants when compared to other flooring materials.
Aquatics
The marine industry is loaded with polyurethanes that are used to make boats and seal their hulls. They are used in insulation and in engine tubings and hoses. Because polyurethane is so flexible and water-resistant, boaters appreciate how the material makes boats lighter and more energy efficient.
Medical
When you go to the hospital, the odds are good that you will come in contact with polyurethane medical devices. They are safe for people with allergies to latex, so they are commonly used in tubing, gloves, wound dressings, and bedding. They are also used in short-term implants.
Composite Wood
Composite wood is made of wood products with polyurethane binders. You might better know them as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), long-strand lumber, and oriented strand board. These are popularly used in furniture and construction.
Electronics
Non-foam polyurethanes (potting components) are used to seal, insulate, and encapsulate various electronic parts. They are used to make underwater cables and microelectronic components. They can be adhesive, dielectric, and temperature resistant.
Insulation
Because polyurethane can be made into a firm shape or used as a foam, it can be used to insulate homes, electronics, and cars. Polyurethane works to maintain desirable temperatures and to keep exterior noises out of vehicles and buildings.
