What is PU? It is Polyurethane:a synthetic, thermo-setting polymer.
Since polyurethane resin was discovered in Germany in 1937, this versatile plastic has enjoyed continued global growth,and now accounts for 5% of all plastics sold worldwide.
The main applications of polyurethane are: furniture and mattresses (rigid foams, integral and flexible), automotive (flexible foams, integral foams, elastomers and coatings), construction (rigid foam panels at low density), coatings and adhesives, technical devices (rigid insulating foam) and many other industrial products (primarily elastomers).
Polyurethane – commonly known as PU – is a thermosetting synthetic polymer. Originating as 2 liquid raw materials, the chemical reaction of the two creates a solid polymer. Depending on the specific formulation, the product may be hard or soft, compact or heavy, foam or lightweight, with any combination in between. The two major applications are thermal insulation, made from rigid expanded foam, and made from flexible foam, the famous “foam”.
PU systems are simpler and more efficient than other methods of forming materials. Allowing constant achievement of mechanical efficiency, the benefits of PU solutions comp. Compared to traditional plastics, PU benefits from lower mold costs and lower energy costs, offering a high quality, low cost technology solution.
The constant research produces new knowledge, which in turn generates the availability of new materials and technologies. This gives rise to new formulations, that offer new opportunities to the market.
The polyurethanes contribute to energy savings as insulating materials in building structures, thus reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere; as they ensure the safety and comfort of vehicles at the same time making them lighter, resulting in less fuel consumption; as recent successes in recovery and recycling of waste polyurethane have significantly reduced the use of landfill; and finally, as they improve the lives of all days with useful, high quality products, without sacrificing environmental protection.
What are the limits of the polyurethane? The PU is a super-material, whose application limits in terms of operating temperature range from –40 °C to +100 °C: the temperature levels closest to those necessary for our human life.