Polyurethanes

Have you ever wondered just exactly what those magical plastic like substances that can be very soft or very hard, yet still the same substance called polyurethans actually were? Polyurethanes are very versatile plastics that were originally developed for military use by Otto Bayer in the late 1930's. They are so versatile that they can be made into a compound as soft as bubble-gum, or they can also be formed into compounds that are as …

…these isocyanates give different properties to the polyurethane and have varying types of processing systems. The polyol, which is the other reactant in the polyurethane, is available in three different types: PTMEG (polyetetramethylene ether glycol), PPG (polypropylene ether glycol) and polyester. There are other isocyanates and polyols that can be used in the manufacturing of polyurethanes, but these are the most common. This process is also the process that is used in making polyurethane foams.