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Polyurethanes
contribute to our everyday life through a wide variety of clothing and
sportswear applications. A typical example of this is Spandex fiber,
which is characterized by its comfort and elasticity properties,
making it ideal for use in lingerie, stockings, socks and sportswear
(swimwear and skiwear). Polyurethane-based coatings possess
extraordinary anti-abrasion and weather resistance properties, and are
used extensively in various sports equipment applications, such as
skies and yachts. Rigid foams produced from polyurethane are
lightweight and anti-abrasive, which makes them suitable for alpine
ski and surfboard cores. In addition, the elastic and anti-abrasion
characteristics of polyurethane elastomers make these products
particularly well suited to sport shoes sole applications.
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Polyurethane
paints and coatings provide wear resistance protection, as well as an
aesthetically pleasing shine to furniture and musical instruments,
such as pianos. Flexible polyurethane foams are also widely used to
produce seating cushion materials and futon bedding. In the kitchen,
rigid polyurethane foams are used as insulators for refrigerators and
polyurethane-based adhesives are widely used for the lamination of
various food packaging films. The biocompatibility of polyurethane
based elastomers enables them to be utilized in water purification
units, diapers and sanitary napkins. Polyurethane artificial leather,
synthetic leather and foaming materials are, likewise, widely used to
produce bags, shoes and many other products owing to their authentic
feel and durability.
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Polyurethanes
are also playing an important role in supporting the continued
acceleration of the electronic industry’s development. The abrasion
resistance and superior adhesion properties of polyurethane adhesives
have enabled the advancement of recording densities in the form of
magnetic binders for various forms of recording media from audio/video
tapes, computer disc, and even prepaid cards and transportation
tickets. Due to polyurethane’s electrical insulation
characteristics, they are also used extensively in wire coatings and
optical fiber cables. Polyurethane adhesives may also be found in
cellular phones printed-circuit laminates.
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Polyurethane
has also played a significant role in supporting progress in the
medical realm. Of particular note are the polyurethane elastomers that
have molecular structures similar to that of human proteins, which
make them prime candidates for a variety of medical applications
requiring adhesive strength and unique biomimetic and antithrombotic
properties. For example, polyurethane elastomers are currently being
used as special sealant to bind bundles of hollow fibers in artificial
dialysis cylinders.
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Polyurethanes
are indispensable to the future of the automotive industry, owing to
the potential they offer for improved comfort, safety and ecological
energy conservation. Polyurethanes are applied in in an extremely wide
variety of different physical forms in the automotive sector, such as
heat-/sound-insulated roofing, comfortable seat cushioning,
noise/vibration dampening flooring, sealants, instrument panels, door
trims, dashboards, headrests, mud guards, shock absorbers, oil seals,
puncture-proof tires and primer-/surface coatings. Another recently
notable application is elastomeric tire chains, which are tough and
abrasion resistant but do not damage road surfaces as traditional metal
chains do. Due to its durability and weather resistance
ability, polyurethane-based coatings are also used for motorcycles,
marine and railroad carriage applications.
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Polyurethanes
are used extensively in the construction field. In housing, rigid
foams are the best insulators for walls, floor and ceiling, decreasing
the need for air-conditioners, which helps to save energy. Due to
their superior weatherability, polyurethane-based coatings are used in
exterior wall surface finishings. In addition, utilizing their
moisture resistance, chemical resistance and good elasticity
properties, polyurethanes are also used in flooring materials for
hospitals and gymnasiums, as bridge coatings to avoid rust, as buffers
between rails and sleepers, as sealants and waterproofing agents for
building roofs and as adhesives for prefabricated wooden houses.
Polyurethane flooring materials are also used in all-weather sports
ground and golf courses.
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Polyurethane
elastomers are used in various rollers for copying machines and
electronic printers, as well as for rollers in traditional paper,
steel and metal plating manufacturing operations. Polyurethane
elastomers are also used as insulation materials for LNG carriers and
storage tanks. Polyurethane binders likewise find use in particle
boards and MDF to overcome the formaldehyde emission problem
associated with conventional housing materials. |
