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Article | REF: AM3425 V2

Polyurethanes PUR

Author: Jean-Claude BERTHIER

Publication date: January 10, 2009

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ABSTRACT

Polyurethanes have, due to their nature, their large number of properties -notably comfort and insulation - and the diversity of their applications become widely used in every area of our daily life. Indeed, these products can range from the compact state to the expanded one, from the supple state to the rigid one up to the thermosetting state. Their easy implementation allows for short fabrication cycles; furthermore, the usage of catalysts allows for working at temperatures closer to the ambient one. A constantly expanding market allows for the envisaging of new developments, not only in terms of materials but also of transformation means.

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 INTRODUCTION

Like many other polymer plastics, polyurethanes have made their mark in all areas of our daily lives, thanks to their nature, their many properties - notably comfort and insulation - and their diversity of applications. Their thermosetting, i.e. irreversible, state (unlike thermoplastics) has not prevented them from being used everywhere.

Resulting from the reaction of an isocyanate with mobile hydrogen groups, mainly hydroxyl groups, they can undergo an irreversible, exothermic reaction, possibly accompanied by off-gassing. These effects can be used to produce products ranging from compact to expanded, from flexible to rigid. The variety of possible reactions makes it possible to manufacture parts with a linear or structured network to a greater or lesser extent.

The versatility of polyurethanes means they can be used in a wide range of applications. The use of catalysts also means that they can be used at near-ambient temperatures, enabling short production cycles in large quantities. Their use has now reached a phase of maturity and consolidation.

All these qualities augur well for further progress, both in terms of materials and processing methods. What's more, an ever-growing market will obviously initiate and support the emergence of these improvements.

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