2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09
The properties of this polymer are so multifaceted that it simply has unlimited possibilities. Many people say that this is the material of the future. That fantastic, amazing material, which will be discussed in the article, is called polyurethane.
Peculiarities
In the 40s of the last century in Europe, after lengthy experiments, a German chemical technologist named Bayer synthesized a material that had amazing properties. The polymer found widespread use after as many as 20 years. It began to be used in many branches of human activity.
The raw material for polyurethane is crude oil, based on isocyanate and polyol.
The product also contains other components: reagents, emulsifiers, polyesters . And additives of catalysts and blowing agents completely change the structure of the final product. In terms of the number of variations, polyurethane overtakes such polymers as PVC, polystyrene and polyethylene.
Polyurethane can be presented in several possible states: in liquid with a high degree of viscosity, as soft rubber, it can be soft (foam rubber) and hard (foam plastic). It can also have both high and low elasticity, and can be foamed as a polyurethane foam.
The initial color of the polyurethane is yellow-brown . It is chemically inert, resistant to oils, ultraviolet light, as well as aggressive environmental influences, fungi and bacteria. The material has low toxicity.
The polymer is quite hard, wear-resistant, but at the same time lightweight.
Polyurethane in any of its manifestations does not lose its characteristics even with temperature fluctuations (in the range from -60 to +80 degrees) , therefore, such products serve people in the Far North and in the desert. By the way, in comparison with the same rubber, polyurethane is not destroyed by ozone.
The polymer is non-conductive.
Its amazing elasticity parameters are impressive - polyurethane stretch reaches 650% without significant damage . It also weighs quite a bit.
And although rubber, plastic and metal are considered its main competitors, they are inferior to polyurethane in some characteristics
- Polyurethane is characterized by high coefficients of elasticity, wear resistance, ages more slowly than rubber . It tolerates mechanical stress better, moreover, after any deformation, it quickly returns to its original shape.
- Compared to different metals, polyurethane is lightweight and resistant to abrasives . And most importantly, the production of polymer is much cheaper. Machine parts made of polyurethane create much less noise.
- Polyurethane is superior to plastic when used in hot or cold weather , does not crack upon impact.
In fairness, it is necessary to say a few words about the weaknesses of polyurethane . The polymer is airtight, and the foam parts shrink. And there is also an increase in fragility and hardness with prolonged exposure of products in the cold. But the biggest disadvantage is the difficulty of recycling polymer products.
Manufacturing technology of parts
The production of polyurethane parts is carried out in several ways. There are different technologies: casting, extrusion, pressing and casting.
Casting is by far the most common . Manufacturers use this technology to create a variety of parts. The pouring method is popular due to the cheapness of the molds. As a result, the resulting product is notable for its low price.
Three technology options are used: rotary casting, free casting, and injection molding.
With the help of rotary casting, large areas or cylindrical parts are covered with polyurethane raw materials. With the help of computerized equipment, such a polymer is applied to a shaft that rotates. The process takes place without heating, practically no waste remains.
With free casting, it is possible to create more complex shapes. It also uses computerized control. The raw materials are brought into the mold subject to careful control of dosage, temperature and pressure . The products are of high quality. It uses molds made of silicone, with the help of this technology, mainly limited series of parts are created. Among the advantages are the speed of production and the low cost of the product as a result.
The use of injection molding significantly speeds up the production itself - this technology is needed in the manufacture of large batches of products.
All production technologies make it possible to achieve a clear surface relief, correct product dimensions and high product quality.
Applications
Polyurethane products are even more common than you might imagine. There are many areas of their use: from metallurgy and the creation of hydroelectric devices to interior decor for apartments and houses . They are also found in the space industry, medicine, construction, engineering, and the oil sector.
For the metallurgical industry, rollers, rollers, springs are made from polyurethane . In terms of abrasion resistance, they leave rubber far behind.
Polyurethane paints and varnishes are in demand in the printing, paper, chemical spheres, and leatherwork . This synthetic raw material is used for the manufacture of sealants and adhesives.
They are also automobile tires, pipes, conveyor belts, shock absorbers on railways, bearings. And, of course, polyurethane raw materials are actively used in the production of finishing and decorative materials.
The range of options for interior decoration products is truly limitless.
And this is just a simple listing of all the wealth that is made from polyurethane:
- ceiling sockets, caissons, cornices, corners, curbs;
- semi-columns, pilasters, moldings, plinths, columns;
- decorative fireplaces, pedestals, false beams;
- friezes, brackets, capitals and much more.
The polymer perfectly imitates wood, for example, the color and structure of such species as birch, oak, maple, walnut, etc . Decorative items made of polyurethane are not afraid of moisture, do not absorb it, do not rot, do not retain odors, they are lighter than analogues, and cheaper - at times.
As for the construction sector, these are not only foam insulation - the polymer is often used for the production of various shapes, sandwich panels, in plywood sheets it holds wood chips together. But that's not all. The material is successfully used in radio electronics - they are used for pouring insulation.
Polyurethane is in demand in light industry, namely – in the textile and footwear sectors . Shoe soles, insoles, as well as zippers, various rivets, and even carpets are made from the material. Polymer is used to create fashionable clothes. So, polyurethane-100 is an excellent imitation of leather - it is even better than its natural counterpart, it is lighter, softer, more environmentally friendly, and much more durable.
Polyurethane is used in textile factories such as rollers, weaving machine belts, fabric backings, adhesives, yarn rollers. A significant proportion of polyurethane is used in the manufacture of mattresses . Here it acts in the form of foam - this material is obtained after processing synthetic recyclable materials.
And also polyurethane is used by oil workers for excellent oil-resistant valves, and doctors - for prostheses, catheters and medical tubes. Dams and levees will withstand storms and weather conditions if reinforced with polyurethane solutions.
Sports did not stand aside either . Here, polyurethane is often used in the production of sports equipment, special coatings for stadiums, and running tracks. Surprisingly, over 80% of surfboards are polyurethane.
Examples of finished products
Polyurethane architectural decor is an alternative to traditional plaster moldings. Designers have long appreciated the endless possibilities of modern polymer materials.
Polyurethane interior products are not only popular today - they are becoming classics.
Separate elements adorn the ceiling, cornices, moldings, baseboards look great on the walls, elegantly and delicately frame door and window openings. Polyurethane parts can be used separately, or they can be connected to each other (as a constructor), participate in creating a complete picture, they fit perfectly into any interior concept.
The mirror frame is just one of the options for using polyurethane in the interior . There are as many options for framing mirrors as there are modifications of the mirror surfaces themselves.
This rectangular floor mirror adds luxury to the interior. And at first glance it seems that the frame is made of metal. A small round mirror, decorated with rich polyurethane stucco molding, covered with gold paint, will make any room sunny, cozy and luxurious at the same time.
Lightweight polyurethane is the best choice for the manufacture of ceiling rosettes . They can be both very complex and ornate, and simple, but at the same time elegant.
And here is an example of how sophisticated an interior decor made entirely of polyurethane can be. There is everything here: columns, moldings, cornices, baseboards and, of course, a socket for a chic chandelier.
An exquisite arch supported by pilasters. Everything is quite restrained, but very chic, and you wouldn't even think that this is also polyurethane, and not gypsum stucco molding.
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