A polyurethane coating is a polyurethane layer applied to the surface of a substrate for the purpose of protecting it. These coatings help protect substrates from various types of defects such as corrosion, weathering, abrasion and other deteriorating processes.
What Does Polyurethane Coating Mean?
A polyurethane coating is a polyurethane layer applied to the surface of a substrate for the purpose of protecting it. These coatings help protect substrates from various types of defects such as corrosion, weathering, abrasion and other deteriorating processes.
Polyurethane itself is a type of polymer that is connected to a chemical compound group known as carbamates. This polymer material is also thermosetting in nature; in other words, it burns rather than melts when heated. Another characteristic of polyurethane coatings is its customizability. These coatings can be formulated to be glossy, muted, opaque or transparent.
While polyurethane coatings may appear to be visually similar to other coatings (e.g., epoxy), they possess several distinct properties that make them ideal for specific situations.
While polyurethane coatings are relatively durable, they are softer and more elastic than their epoxy counterparts. This attribute makes polyurethane-coated floors ideal for moderate to heavy pedestrian traffic. The reduced stiffness gives polyurethane floors a slight springiness, allowing them to absorb sharp impact loading. This durability also makes them more resistant to abrasion and less prone to dents and scratches.
