Polyurethane

Author: Eric Salvador Fuentes

Polyurethane (PU) refers to a compound belonging to the polymers family. In simple terms,
polymeric materials are some form of plastic but different in their composition because
they have no urethane monomer (Lazonby). The polymer is a product resulting from the
production process of different materials. Otto Bayer and other of his colleagues were
responsible for the earliest discovery of PU back in 1937. They were working on other
projects that focused the production of polyurea from aliphatic diisocyanate and diamine. It
was while working at the laboratories of I.G Farben in Leverkusen Germany that the team
discovered the formation of PU from aliphatic diisocyanate and glycol (Sharmin & Zafar
3). The production of PU continued but only became commercially available fifteen years.
There was mass production of the compound after the Second World War. Initially, Bayer
extracted PU from toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and polyester polyols for the mass
production. However, in the year 1952 to 1954, he managed to obtain the compound from
various polyesterpolyisocyanate systems.
Over time, polyether polyols gained popularity due to their low cost, ease in handling as
well as enhanced hydrolytic stability which led to the phasing out of polyester polyols.
Polymerizing tetrahydrofuran was the process that DuPont used to produce the first
polyether polyols in the form of poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMG). The
compound was commercially available, and DuPont later produced Lycra by combining
PTMG and other compounds such as ethylene diamine. In 1957, the chemistry industry
witnessed the production of polyethylene glycols (Sharmin & Zafar 3). Chemist continued
to transform PU from flexible to rigid foams that serve as blowing agents. However, there
are other forms of blowing agents in the market including pentane and carbon dioxide
among others.
Today, PU has numerous applications and is referred to different types of plastic owing to
its superior properties in the final product. It is of the essence to point out again that
manufacture of PU differs from the production of other plastics. For example, chemical
plants manufacture poly (ethane and propane) and sell them in the form of granules,
powder or any other substance. The process entails subjecting the polymer to heat and cold
temperatures to allow shaping. The product properties are significantly similar to the
original polymer. However, PU is produced as the final product especially as large blocks
of foam. The manufacturer then cuts the blocks to smaller pieces. In most cases, the foams
serve as cushions or for thermal insulation. The end reaction is a solid substance or liquid
reactant. The rigidity or flexibility of PU depends on the specific density levels of the PU.
This aspect also influences the use of a particular PU material. For example, PU’s are
suitable materials for cushioning because of the lowdensity levels, high flexibility as well
as high resistance to fatigue. Another frequent use of PU is the insulation of electrical
equipment.
PU’s are the best suit for these machines because of their resistance to oils. Also, it is
possible to increase the density during manufacturing to make the cables tough. Patients
suffering from heartrelated problems usually undergo a procedure of artificial heart valve
installation. The artificial valves are suitable because PU’s have high flexibility and
biostability levels. The high flexibility ensures that the valves can expand and contract
freely just like the regular heart valve. PU’s are also crucial in construction because they
provide thermal insulation that is critical because of varying temperatures. The adhesive
properties also ensure that the building panels offer enough strength to hold the building
together and that it lasts longer. Besides, its durability and flexible physical properties,
PU’s are also good materials for shoe soles because they are resistant to abrasion.
Polyurethanes, especially those made using aromatic isocyanates,
contain chromophores that interact with light. This is of particular interest in the area of
polyurethane coatings, where light stability is a critical factor and is the main reason
that aliphatic isocyanates are used in making polyurethane coatings. When PU foam, which
is made using aromatic isocyanates, is exposed to visible light, it discolors, turning from
off-white to yellow to reddish brown. It has been generally accepted that apart from
yellowing, visible light has little effect on foam properties.[48][49] This is especially the
case if the yellowing happens on the outer portions of a large foam, as the deterioration of
properties in the outer portion has little effect on the overall bulk properties of the foam
itself.
The development of the polyurethane industry goes in one direction with the polymer
industry in general. As shown in this work, the basic directions of changes, taking place
during the synthesis of polyurethanes, are: (1) the use of non-toxic substrates and auxiliary
compounds (solvents and catalysts); (2) obtaining products with appropriate strength during
use but which degrade after their lifetime; and (3) the use of less energy-intensive
processes. The modification of polyurethanes with compounds of natural origin is of
significant importance. Their presence in the polyurethane network or in its chemical
structure increases the non-toxicity and susceptibility to degradation in the environmental
conditions of this material.

Bibliography
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