Polyurethane PU Flat Moulding

Polyurethane Flat moldings cover a large group of moldings that can be used in a variety of areas such as; casing, chair rail, wall relief, ceiling relief, and door and window trim. These versatile moldings are the backbone of interior design.

Designed for use as chair rail, wall and ceiling relief, and door and window trim, our flat moldings are versatile, easy to install, and are the backbone of interior design. Create that amazing ceiling you've always dreamed about, update those old, boring kitchen cabinets, or create the look of wainscoting on your walls, all at a fraction of the cost.

A major advantage of polyurethane is that it will not expand, constrict or warp over time with changes in temperature or humidity, so it's safe to install in rooms with the presence of moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. This product will not encourage the growth of mold or mildew, and it will never rot.

Installation is simplified with the use of modern adhesives. Small finish nails are used to secure the molding while the adhesives set. See below for installation instructions.

DIY Tips
Before you Begin -
When planning for PU chair rail or other molding, inspect the walls and/or ceiling to see if any vents or other objects are within the footprint of the moldings. Consider mitered returns at the ends of any molding runs that may be interrupted by these items.

Painting -
Since working at waist level is usually easier than working over your head, we recommend painting the molding before beginning the installation process. Imperfections can be touched up after you have completed the install. Always test a section of the front of the molding with your paint choice before committing to painting all of your molding.

Joining Pieces -
Always use an appropriate amount of adhesive on the end of any of the molding being joined end to end. This prevents the molding from separating as the house walls expand and contract from temperature changes.

Last Piece on a Wall -
For a tight fit and seams, cut the last piece that is going to be on a wall just a little long. 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch is usually enough to allow you to snap that piece in place making sure all your joints stay nice and tight.

Lining Up The Pieces -
When two pieces of molding are being joined together in a run (end to end) leave the last two feet of the open end of the installed molding loose so you can have some alignment room when you join the next piece.

Polyurethane(PU) Crown Molding

Polyurethane(PU) Crown molding encapsulates a large family of moldings which are designed to gracefully flare out to a finished top edge. PU Crown molding is generally used for capping walls, pilasters, and cabinets, and is used extensively in the creation of interior and exterior cornice assemblies and door and window hoods.

In recent times, PU crown moldings have generally made their appearance as mostly decorated plaster or wooden trim where walls meet ceilings.

Installation
PU Crown molding is typically applied along the seams where ceiling meets wall. Usually it is not placed flush against the wall nor against the ceiling. Instead, when viewed from the molding's end (or as a cross-section), it, the ceiling, and the wall form a "hollow" triangle. This adds a difficulty to the installation process, namely the need for complex cuts to form corners where two walls meet.

There are two common ways to fashion inside corners. One is to use a compound miter saw to cut the ends of the corner pieces along two axes simultaneously. The other, called coping, is a two step process, first to cut a simple miter and then to use a coping saw to undercut the miters.

Many different companies now manufacture crown molding in materials such as plastic and foam. These typically are offered with corner blocks, and are popular with DIY home improvement enthusiasts.

The use of a coped joint for interior corners saves the trouble of having to determine and cut the exact inside degree measurement, since most corners are not exactly 90/45 degrees. Outside corners must be mitered, and care must be taken in measuring and cutting, since not all outside corners measure true. If the angle is not exactly 45/22.5 degrees, a corner measuring device or piece of scrap crown molding may be used to obtain the right measurement before the final cut is made.

Advantages of Polyurethane

Polyurethane Vs. Rubber
The chief advantage of castable polyurethanes over rubber is their abrasion resistance, the combination of a high tear resistance and a high modulus is what gives polyurethanes this advantage. Other advantages include significantly lower moulding costs, much broader durometer range, ozone resistance, and can also be pigmented with a variety of colours. Having a selection of colours allows colour coding of parts or possibly matching the company’s logo.

Polyurethane Vs. Metal
Most metals are much heavier than polyurethanes. This makes urethanes much easier to handle and cheaper to operate equipment. Noise levels are minimised since polyurethanes have the tendency to absorb sound. Polyurethanes can outwear metals in many situations, especially where parts are subject to abrasive materials. Polyurethane’s resistance to corrosion provides another significant advantage over metals. Another key advantage polyurethanes have over metals is that they can be manufactured much cheaper. Casting metal parts is quite a bit more expensive than casting polyurethanes. Welding and machining of metal parts is time consuming and expensive.

Polyurethane Vs. Plastic
As with the previous materials mentioned, the key advantage of polyurethanes over plastics is abrasion resistance. This is due to the fact that polyurethanes have the elastomeric properties that plastics lack. This leads to another advantage of urethanes over plastics; elastomeric memory. Polyurethanes will, in most cases, return to their original shape when they have been stretched. Since polyurethanes are elastomeric, they are not brittle like some plastics. Even in the highest durometer ranges polyurethanes remain elastomeric.

Haining Oner Arts & Crafts Co.,Ltd is a professional PU cornice moulding factory and supplier in China. We can produce polyurethane cornice moulding according to your requirements. 
Our products including PU panel molding, crown molding, cornice, corbel, roman pillar, ceiling medallion, artistic ceiling, chair rail, carved molding, curtain box, mantel, decorative corner, niches, fireplace, dome, column and other products.

Buying Oner Decorative PU Corbels

When you have the notion to add a definitive finishing touch to your home decor, decorative corbels and brackets are the perfect choice. They are an excellent way to enhance the interior or exterior attractiveness of your home. Decorative corbels and brackets have delicate details that are architecturally exact. For example, if you are considering revising your home’s exterior, many homeowner’s think of trim, siding, gutters, or painting, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if you want to take that extra step and add panache to your home’s curb appeal; exterior brackets are the way to go. For exterior enhancement, brackets can be affixed to supports beneath porch roofs, gazebos, arbors, under soffits, and various exterior structures.

Decorative corbels are highly underused in beautifying homes today. If heavy items such as sculptures or perhaps a wall bookcase requires tasteful support, corbels will do magnificently. The beauty and sophistication that decorative corbels and brackets provide cannot be underestimated. For instance, in kitchens this type of bric-a-brac is not uncommon, even though they may be less ostentatious. In addition, decorative corbels and brackets work beautifully with granite or marble countertops, but will suit any well-designed surface. They are a stunning addition to kitchen cabinets as well. In stately homes corbels on each side of a fireplace was a sign of stateliness and discernment. In fact, hundreds of years ago, the fireplace was more elaborate, constructed with pilasters, columns, or corbels with complex motifs carved on them.

Oner Polyurethane Corbels

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Creating a unique, beautiful appearance in your home requires the magic touch that corbels and brackets exude. Carved wood corbels are intricately designed and work wonders by complementing the architecture of your home. Any doorway can be changed with the use of a pair of corbels on each side or a single corbel in the center. The effect is even more splendid if the entryway is arched. The same idea can be applied to contemporary entryways as well. In addition, wood brackets can emanate a great affect by supporting plants or objects placed higher than eye-level.

An empty wall space can do with a salient design, and a corbel table may do the trick. Corbel tables are a row of decorative corbels used for support with a shelf made from various materials such as wood, fiberglass, or glass. The exquisiteness of the finished design is certainly an eye-catcher. Nevertheless, incorporating corbels and brackets into your home decor can seem somewhat daunting. The endless designs available today can make using these beautiful objects perplexing.

The best way to narrow down your choice is by taking a look at your decorating style. Is your home decor more traditional or modern? Do you prefer more sophisticated style furnishings, trendy, or laid back? Are you interested in an avant-garde ambiance? By deciding on the type of style you prefer in your home first, you will be less bemused when it comes time to select your decorative corbels or brackets. Modest in design, decorative and whimsical, corbels and brackets will give any room a past, an air of nobility, and a form of elegance.

Benefits of Utilizing Polyurethane moldings for Home Design

The embellishment of a home with Polyurethane moldings can make an ordinary room extraordinary! Modern remodeling demands versatility, strength and beauty of contemporary building materials. Yet high-quality and environmentally friendly materials, as we understand, are costly. However there are a lot of producers, whose activities are concentrated on the consumer. Ceiling is the part of the space, which plays a major role in the interior structure of a home or building. A properly made ceiling could not only visually enlarge the space in the area, but likewise to provide creativity and repetition of space. A good assistant in completing the ceiling is the addition of Polyurethane moldings. They excel because they are very easy to put in and sturdy.

Decorative Polyurethane moldings for home or office
As modern-day decoration items, which are not to just decorate the room, but work as extra aspects that could be used to conceal and visually even out flatness mistakes left by careless finishing engineers. Moldings include a smooth surface and ornamental additions.

A great benefit of polyurethane moldings is you can repaint them in the most up-to-date desirable shade. It is certainly additionally important to note that the moldings made of polyurethane can be flexible elements, which is great. Contemporary interiors are so appealing and uncommon that occasionally, non-pliable moldings just will not do.

Polyurethane moldings possess a lot of benefits:
1)Light-weight
2)A large range
3)Ease of assembly and disassembly
4)Durability.
5)Ability to be repainted
6)Resistant to modifications in temperature level
7)Are to be made use of both indoors and outdoors.

Buy moldings from onerpu.com without leaving the house. Price of moldings at onerpu.com is extremely economical. You will surely be surprised at the great selection of flat stock molding, decorative trim molding, and fascia molding as well as Polyurethane moldings.

About Pro-Flex Flexible Mouldings

How flexible are your flexible mouldings?

Mouldings are as flexible as a standard garden hose depending on which way you are trying to bend them. You can bend mouldings yourself when you are applying a base board or chair rail; however your application is for a rounded window casing, a crown or an arch, we need to know some measurements before production, as it is difficult to bend the profile this way without some advance custom casting. Having said this, it is typical with an arch or rounded casing to have a degree of play available in case your measurements vary marginally.

What is made of?

Pro-Flex is an advanced polymer product that has the appearance of hardened rubber.

How closely will the flexible mouldings match my profile?

For any in stock or custom mouldings you should achieve a perfect match, connecting your profile to it’s likeness in wood, MDF, ultralite or finger joint pine. If there is ever a question as to whether or not we have a matching profile you can always fax us a tracing of your profile with measurements to be compared in our shop before ordering.

Flexible mouldings seem more expensive than wood; Why is this?

Flexible mouldings are more expensive than wood, but a greater savings over other techniques of matching wood or MDF profiles to a curved wall or radius; these often include steaming, slotting or cost prohibitive custom wood work. Because matches so well to the ordered profile, you only need to use for the bent or radial portion of the application.

What measurements does Profile Mouldings require to determine the length of flexible mouldings needed for my application?

You can view and print out the order form to acquire the measurements necessary in order to determine the length and radius of your mouldings if applicable.

If this stuff is so flexible, Why do you need to know the radius of my window or wall, Why can’t I just bend it on site.

You can bend mouldings yourself when you are applying a base board or chair rail; however your application is for a rounded window casing, a crown or an arch, we do need to know some measurements before production, as it is difficult to bend the profile this way without some advance custom casting. Having said this, it is typical with an arch or rounded casing to have a degree of play available in case your measurements vary marginally.

Are these products for indoor or outdoor use?

Flexible mouldings are perfect for indoor and outdoor use.

How do I stain mouldings?

With any gel or solid stain. Standard stains will not work as they need a porous surface to soak into

What types of paint will adhere to mouldings?

Any latex or oil based paint will adhere nicely to moudlings. Additionally, many typical craft store coatings may also work. If there is any question, apply some of the intended coating to a small piece of the mouldings an let dry to test for adherence.

Do I need to prime my mouldings?

This is up to the individual. Some people prefer to prime any surface before painting. Mouldings come with a clear primer already applied.

The Beauty of Crown Molding

The Beauty of Crown Molding:
Crown molding beautifies the look of every room. With the newest up-to-date molding materials, you can design typical sophistication regardless of your resources. Whether you desire progressive or time-honored styles, customers are bound to achieve the ideal cornice molding to supplement that exclusive look that you are wanting to achieve, or by adding to door and window casings already in place.

Even though crown molding is frequently used for older homes to highlight certain architectural styles, household decorators and smart homeowners have found a means to use this style of molding in an ornamental means. Areas are not just areas any longer, they turn out to be rooms with a past, and a history that makes them be seen as affluent as well as original. With the introduction of nouveau fabrication methods, the charge for crown molding has come down. This makes it better for installers with diminutive budgets to spruce up their projects at a smaller outlay.

Crown molding has an interesting past; it dates back to a time of very old Greek and Rome Columns. Nonetheless, today it makes homes come out classy, anew, and captivating. This molding was at first created as a means of disguising flaws where the walls and ceiling connected together at the top of the wall. However, current construction values have eliminated this predicament. Therefore, these days, crown molding is used explicitly for attractive purposes, establishing desirable enhancements to walls, entryways, and other surfaces. The manifestation of a room once it has been adorned with crown molding can be amazing.

There are a large assortment of molding styles available that will improve any kind of structural design. Whether home owners fancy a fresh touch in a time-honored venue or a typical sensation in an especially contemporary design, customers can uncover the perfect molding to conceive your ideal space. For example, you may possibly be thinking about adding molding to restore the appearance of your interior from the time it was originally constructed, or perhaps you intend to add fine points that synchronize together with your existing furniture. Whatever course you decide to go in, the broad collection of alternatives in molding existing will assure that the end product will yield the tasteful complement to the room’s look.

The Most Popular Types of Crown Moldings:

Egg and Dart Molding
This molding is a well-known design with switching “V” and oval shapes. The origins of this molding originates from ancient Greek structural designs. Though many homeowners utilize crown molding where the ceiling and top of the wall meet, this type of molding can be utilized in other creative ways to add style and panache to any room.

Cove or Cavetto Molding
Found in conventional architectural varieties and Egyptian sanctuaries, this kind of molding received its name from the Italian word “to hollow,” which means concave in form. Cove molding consists of a quarter-round ring with the upper part of the sphere section expanding above the lower part.

Dentil Crown Molding
This molding design is frequently utilized in Early Classic Revival, Georgian, and Federal building designs. It is made up of a slender band that consists of proportioned squared-off beads or rectangles.

Regardless of which type of crown molding you choose, your room’s character and attractiveness will be greatly transformed.

About Decorative Columns — An Overview

Gone are the days when decorative columns were used to enhance the architectural beauty of palaces. Nowadays, they are extensively used in residential and commercial buildings to add a touch of class and elegance. They lend strength to a structure and make it aesthetically beautiful. They are also used to divide areas. You can use columns in a long hallway to mark different areas without wasting space.

Decorative columns are available in different types of materials and styles. Some of the materials used for columns are polyurethane, wood, fiberglass, plaster, and aluminum. Among styles, Roman & Greek columns are the preferred ones.

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Greek Decorative Columns:
As the name implies, these columns are inspired from the Greek architecture. There are three types of decorative columns in Greek architecture.

Doric:
This is considered to be the oldest styles of columns that originated in 600 BC in western Greece. This is the simplest style of columns. It does not have a base and its shaft consists of twenty flutes or grooves that run from the bottom to the top. Just above the neck of the column, there is a convex or bowl-shaped echinus and above it, lies a flat abacus. Usually, the height of this type of column is eight times its diameter.

Ionic:
This style originated in 400 BC in eastern Greece. The Ionic column is more decorative than the Doric column. It consists of a round base, the shaft is slender than the one in a Doric column, and its capital has volutes or scrolls.

Corinthian:
The Corinthian Column is the most stylish and decorative of the Greek columns. Apart from volutes or scrolls, the capital consists of carvings of flowers and acanthus leaves. Its shaft is narrower than the ones in the Ionic columns. The height of the column is ten times its diameter.

Roman Columns:
Roman architecture widely uses various variations of Greek decorative columns. They also have their own unique and distinct column styles – Tuscan and Composite.

Tuscan:
This is considered to be an adaptation of the Doric column style. However, the Tuscan Column much simpler than the Doric column and consists of a simple shaft and capital. The shaft is often unfluted and the base is missing.

Composite:
This style is inspired from both the Ionic column and the Corinthian column. It consists of scrolls and carvings of flowers and leaves.

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While choosing decorative columns, it is important to keep the purpose of installing them in mind. This will help you decide the material, dimensions, and load bearing capacity of the column. If you want a column for decorative purposes, like for holding vases or lights, then any column that goes well with the décor of the place would serve the purpose. But, if you want the column to support a structure, you should consult an architect.

The choice of material should also depend on the area where you want to install the column. For example, if you want a column for the garden area, you should use fiberglass columns that can withstand different elements of nature.

Buying decorative columns has become quite easy with the presence of online stores. Not only do they have a huge variety of columns, but they also offer them at competitive rates.

PU Moulding Installation

Polyurethane Installation

Polyurethane mouldings/cornices may be installed much the same way you would install wood mouldings.

For a better fit, it is advised that a flat or Butt Joint is used to join longer lengths of polyurethane mouldings. Cut all pieces 1/8th of an inch longer than the required measurement, fitting the ends in place first and the middle sections last.

Always place a continuous bead of premium polyurethane adhesive along all adjoining wall and ceiling surfaces before final positioning of the moulding. Poly-glue is essential when attaching one length of moulding to the next. A pneumatic pin nailer works well for fastening polyurethane mouldings to wall and ceiling surfaces; alternatively, trim head drywall screws or finishing nails may be used.

Corner Blocks

Corner or center blocks may be used to avoid difficult or challenging mitre cuts. When using corner or adjoining center blocks, be sure to mount the blocks to the wall and ceiling prior to measuring and cutting moulding lengths.

Filling and Sanding

Once all of the mouldings are fixed in place, fill any joints or remaining voids with a paintable siliconized latex caulking. This same caulking may be applied sparingly along the top and bottom edges of the moulding where it meets the ceiling and wall. A damp cloth or silicone coving tool may be used to clear away any excess caulking to leave a clean professional look.

Any remaining nail or screw holes may be filled with sandable, paintable non-shrinking filler. Be careful not to over sand the surfaces of your polyurethane mouldings. Sanding past the protective barrier undercoating may necessitate further filling and sanding to maintain a paintable surface.

Ceiling Medallions

Place a solid bead of premium adhesive around and about the backside of the medallion. Pressing the medallion into place, it may then be secured with 4 trim head dry wall screws. Be sure to place the screws so that any holes created may be filled and sanded with minimal effort.































Wall Niches

Some surface mount wall niches may be hung temporarily using attached hardware or permanently using the same applicator procedures as for Ceiling Medallions. Other niches available come complete with their own template and installation instructions.

Polyurethane Product Description

PU Moulding/PU Crown Molding/PU Cornice Description

Quick Details
Material, polyurethane
Lightweight, much light than gypsum and wood. 
Application, Interior and exterior. 
No erosion by worms and termites. 
Non-absorbent and non-porous, can be directly washed. 
Anti-corrosion and acidproof alkali, can maintain the stability of the materials for years. 

Product characters
1. Products are made of an exclusively, high quality rigid polyurethane synthesis, encompassing the technology and high-tech facility. 
2. Resistant to moisture, and vermin, easy to clean, our products can be kept new forever. 
3. Product Stability: No excessive expansion or contraction due to heat or cold, No warping. No splitting. 
4. Light weight: Never splitting when in carry, the use efficiency is high. 
5. Good resilience: Can suit the design of arch ceiling perfectly. 
6. Easy installation: Can be plane, sawed, nailed, and glued. Never waste the installation time. 
7. Incombustibility: We have passed National Center Fire Building Materials specified test and have been up to the B2 standard. Never self-ignition and combustion supporting. 
8. Our polyurethane products are covered with a PVC film and then primed for all kinds of paint, all of our products are painted to rice-white. 
9. By the modeling designed and the relief matches ingeniously, our products is the most perfect construction decorates facing western-style material. 

Applicable scope
House housing, western-style villa, guesthouse, hotel, shop front, American Sharon, nightclub, club, dance amusement hall, wine shop, DISCO, church, temple, company store, office, convention center, market and all indoor and outfield institute.

A system to better protect water bodies

The Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms approved a document on Dec 11 last year to implement the river chief system across the country by the end of 2018. The river chief system is aimed at promoting better coordination among government departments to protect the country's water bodies.

It is just one example of President Xi Jinping's environmental protection and eco-civilization philosophy.

China has a long history of water control and management. In ancient times, the administrators appointed special officials in charge of river affairs. During the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) governor of Shu prefecture Li Bing, ordered the building of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in today's Sichuan province in Southwest China, which is a famous example of water conservancy and could be regarded as the precursor of the river chief system.

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2017-09/08/content_31717592.htm

Difference Between Polystyrene & Polyurethane

Both polystyrene and polyurethane are polymers, synthetic substances made from long chains of molecules. These molecules consist mostly of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Industry produces these ubiquitous plastic building materials to make all sorts of common items. The computers we use are typically encased in polystyrene, which is an older polymer. However, polyurethane is increasingly coming to replace polystyrene in certain situations, particularly those which require more flexibility. Though they are sometime confused, there are differences between the two in terms of their composition, the ability of finished products to resist chemicals and conduct heat and their tolerance for thickness.

Composition

• Polystyrene is a polymer containing molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, typically eight of each. The molecular formula of polyurethane, on the other hand, describes a much more complex polymer made from molecules composed of nitrogen and oxygen as well as carbon and hydrogen. Unlike polystyrene, which forms a hard plastic, polyurethane's polymers can be arranged differently to create substances with varying degrees of flexibility.
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R-Value

• The R-value of a building material measures its thermal resistance. Polyurethane demonstrates about twice the resistance to heat that polystyrene manages and is an excellent material for electrical insulation. In addition, polyurethane continues to maintain flexibility in very cold conditions, though a gradual stiffening begins at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this resistance varies according to the density and thickness of each material.
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Fire Resistance

• Polyurethane does not melt, unlike polystyrene. In fact, polyurethane will remain mostly undamaged by heat until temperatures reach 700 degrees, at which point the material begins to char. Polystyrene will melt at temperatures in the 200- to 300-degree range. Polyurethane makes a superior fire-retardant material.
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Chemical Resistance, Weathering And Abrasion

• While polystyrene will suffer when subjected to solvents such as gasoline and certain insect sprays, polyurethane is resistant to all chemicals. This polymer also outperforms polystyrene in resisting atmospheric damage due to oxidation and sunlight. In fact, polyurethane withstands all physical attacks and stresses better than polystyrene.
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Load Bearing

• Since polyurethane resembles rubber as well as plastic, it can be effectively used to make load-bearing wheels, mechanical joints, couplings and machine mounts. Polystyrene does not have the flexibility for these tasks.
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Noise Abatement

• Since it has some of the qualities of rubber, polyurethane is useful in achieving mechanical sound reduction. Gears made from this polymer make much less noise.

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Introduction to Polyurethanes: Polyurethane Applications

Heating and cooling costs amount to about 56 percent of the energy used in the average American home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The nature of the chemistry allows polyurethanes to be adapted to solve challenging problems, to be molded into unusual shapes and to enhance industrial and consumer products.

Polyurethanes are formed by reacting a polyol (an alcohol with more than two reactive hydroxyl groups per molecule) with a diisocyanate or a polymeric isocyanate in the presence of suitable catalysts and additives. Because a variety of diisocyanates and a wide range of polyols can be used to produce polyurethane, a broad spectrum of materials can be produced to meet the needs of specific applications.

Types of Polyurethane:

Flexible Polyurethane Foam 

Flexible polyurethane foam is used as cushioning for a variety of consumer and commercial products, including bedding, furniture, automotive interiors, carpet underlay and packaging. Flexible foam can be created in almost any variety of shapes and firmness. It is light, durable, supportive and comfortable.

Flexible polyurethane foam accounts for about 30 percent of the entire North American polyurethane market, and is used largely for bedding, furniture and in the automotive industry.

Rigid Polyurethane Foam 

Rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate (polyiso) foams create one of the world's most popular, energy-efficient and versatile insulations. These foams can significantly cut energy costs while making commercial and residential properties more efficient and comfortable.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 56 percent of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes. To maintain uniform temperature and lower noise levels in homes and commercial properties, builders turn to rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam. These foams are effective insulation materials that can be used in roof and wall insulation, insulated windows, doors and air barrier sealants.

Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers (CASE) 

The uses of polyurethanes in the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE) market offer a broad and growing spectrum of applications and benefits. Polyurethane coatings can enhance a product’s appearance and lengthen its lifespan. Polyurethane adhesives can provide strong bonding advantages, while polyurethane sealants provide tighter seals. Polyurethane elastomers can be molded into almost any shape, are lighter than metal, offer superior stress recovery and can be resistant to many environmental factors.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) 

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) offers a myriad of physical property combinations and processing applications. It is highly elastic, flexible and resistant to abrasion, impact and weather. TPUs can be colored or fabricated in a wide variety of methods and their use can increase a product's overall durability.

TPU is an elastomer that is fully thermoplastic. Like all thermoplastic elastomers, TPU is elastic and melt-processable. In addition, it can be processed on extrusion, injection, blow and compression molding equipment. It can be vacuum-formed or solution-coated and is well suited for a wide variety of fabrication methodologies. TPU can provide a considerable number of physical property combinations, making it an extremely flexible material adaptable to dozens of uses such as construction, automotive and footwear.

Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) 

Car bumpers, electrical housing panels and computer and telecommunication equipment enclosures are some of the parts produced with polyurethanes using reaction injection molding (RIM). Adding design flexibility, the polyurethane RIM process produces parts that are usually not achievable using typical injection molding processes, such as thick- and thin-walled parts, encapsulated inners and foamed cores. In addition to high strength and low weight, polyurethane RIM parts can exhibit heat resistance, thermal insulation, dimensional stability and a high level of dynamic properties. Automotive, construction, appliance, furniture and recreation and sporting goods are a few of the markets and applications using RIM technology.

Binders 

Polyurethane binders are used to adhere numerous types of particles and fibers to each other. Their primary areas of use are in the manufacturing of wood panels, rubber or elastomeric flooring surfaces and sand casting for the foundry industry. The highest volume application for polyurethane binders is in the manufacture of Oriented Strand Board (OSB). These wood panels are used in structural sheathing and flooring, manufactured housing, joists and beams and shop panels. Rebond carpet underlay uses polyurethane binders to adhere scrap pieces of foam, which are often flexible polyurethane foam, together in its production.

Waterborne Polyurethane Dispersions (PUDs) 

Waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) are coatings and adhesives that use water as the primary solvent. With increasing federal regulation on the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that can be emitted into the atmosphere, PUDs are being used in more industrial and commercial applications.

Applications for Polyurethane:

Apparel 

When scientists discovered that polyurethanes could be made into fine threads, they were combined with nylon to make more lightweight, stretchable garments. Over the years, polyurethanes have been improved and developed into spandex fibers, polyurethane coatings and thermoplastic elastomers.

Because of today’s advances in polyurethane techniques, manufacturers can make a broad range of polyurethane apparel from man-made skins and leathers used for garments, sports clothes and a variety of accessories.

Appliances 

Polyurethanes are an important component in major appliances that consumers use every day. The most common use for polyurethanes in major appliances is rigid foams for refrigerator and freezer thermal insulation systems. Rigid polyurethane foam is an essential and cost-effective material that can be used for meeting required energy ratings in consumer refrigerators and freezers. The good thermal insulating properties of rigid polyurethane foams result from the combination of a fine, closed-cell foam structure and cell gases that resist heat transfer.

Automotive 

Polyurethanes are used throughout cars. In addition to the foam that makes car seats comfortable, bumpers, interior “headline” ceiling sections, the car body, spoilers, doors and windows all use polyurethanes. Polyurethane also enables manufacturers to provide drivers and passengers significantly more automobile “mileage” by reducing weight and increasing fuel economy, comfort, corrosion resistance, insulation and sound absorption.

Building and Construction 

Today's homes demand high-performance materials that are strong, yet lightweight; perform well, yet are easily installed; and are durable, but also versatile. Polyurethane helps conserve natural resources and helps preserve the environment by reducing energy usage. With its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, insulation properties, durability and versatility, polyurethane is frequently used in building and construction applications. Both the affordability of these versatile materials and the comfort they provide homeowners have made polyurethane components part of homes everywhere.

Polyurethane is used all over the house. In floors, flexible foam padding cushions your carpet. In the roof, reflective plastic coverings over polyurethane foam can bounce sunlight and heat away, helping the house stay cool while helping reduce energy consumption. Polyurethane building materials add design flexibility to new homes and remodeling projects. Foam-core panels offer a wide variety of colors and profiles for walls and roofs, while foam-cored entry doors and garage doors are available in different finishes and styles.

Composite Wood 

Polyurethanes play a major role in modern materials, such as composite wood. Polyurethane-based binders are used in composite wood products to permanently glue organic materials into oriented strand board, medium-density fiberboard, long-strand lumber, laminated-veneer lumber and even strawboard and particleboard.

Electronics 

Often referred to as “potting compounds,” non-foam polyurethanes are frequently used in the electrical and electronics industries to encapsulate, seal and insulate fragile, pressure-sensitive, microelectronic components, underwater cables and printed circuit boards.

Polyurethane potting compounds are specially formulated by developers to meet a diverse range of physical, thermal and electrical properties. They can protect electronics by providing excellent dielectric and adhesive properties, as well as exceptional solvent, water and extreme temperature resistance.

Flooring 

Either as a foam underlay or on top as a coating, polyurethanes can make the floors we walk on every day more durable, easier to maintain and more aesthetically pleasing. Using flexible polyurethane foam as a carpet underlay in residential or commercial applications can significantly increase the lifespan of the carpet, protect its appearance, provide added comfort and support and can reduce ambient noise.

Polyurethanes are also used to coat floors, from wood and parquet to cement. This protective finish is resistant to abrasion and solvents, and is easy to clean and maintain. With a polyurethane finish, a new wood, parquet or cement floor wears better and longer, while an old floor can be refinished to look new again.

Furnishings 

Polyurethane, mostly in the form of flexible foam, is one of the most popular materials used in home furnishings such as furniture, bedding and carpet underlay. As a cushioning material for upholstered furniture, flexible polyurethane foam works to make furniture more durable, comfortable and supportive.

Marine 

Millions of Americans enjoy boating each year. Part of boating’s ongoing popularity is thanks to improvements in boating technology, to which polyurethane materials make an important contribution.

Polyurethane epoxy resins seal boat hulls from water, weather, corrosion and elements that increase drag, affect hydrodynamics and reduce durability. Boaters today can have the comforts of home on the water, thanks in part to flexible polyurethane foam. In addition, rigid polyurethane foam insulates boats from noise and temperature extremes, provides abrasion and tear resistance, and increases load-bearing capacity all while adding minimal weight. Thermoplastic polyurethane is also great for use in the maritime industry. It is elastic, durable and an easily processed substance, well suited for wire and cable coatings, engine tubing, drive belts, hydraulic hoses and seals and even ship molding.

Medical 

Polyurethanes are commonly used in a number of medical applications, including catheter and general purpose tubing, hospital bedding, surgical drapes, wound dressings and a variety of injection-molded devices. Their most common use is in short-term implants. Polyurethane use in medical applications can be more cost-effective and provide for more longevity and toughness.

Packaging 

Polyurethane packaging foam (PPF) can provide more cost-effective, form-fitting cushioning that uniquely and securely protecting items that need to stay safely in place during transit. PPF is widely used to safely protect and transport many items, such as electronic and medical diagnostic equipment, delicate glassware and large industrial parts.  A versatile on-site solution for many packaging challenges, PPF can save time and be more cost-effective by providing a custom-fit container with each shipment.

Introduction to Polyurethanes: History

Polyurethanes can be found in liquid coatings and paints, tough elastomers such as roller blade wheels, rigid insulation, soft flexible foam, elastic fiber or as an integral skin. No matter how polyurethane is transformed, the underlying chemistry is the result of one man’s genius, Prof. Dr. Otto Bayer (1902-1982). Prof. Dr. Otto Bayer is recognized as the “father” of the polyurethanes industry for his invention of the basic diisocyanate polyaddition process.

The origin of polyurethane dates back to the beginning of World War II, when it was first developed as a replacement for rubber. The versatility of this new organic polymer and its ability to substitute for scarce materials spurred numerous applications. During World War II, polyurethane coatings were used for the impregnation of paper and the manufacture of mustard gas resistant garments, high-gloss airplane finishes and chemical and corrosion-resistant coatings to protect metal, wood and masonry.

By the end of the war, polyurethane coatings were being manufactured and used on an industrial scale and could be custom formulated for specific applications. By the mid-50’s, polyurethanes could be found in coatings and adhesives, elastomers and rigid foams. It was not until the late-50’s that comfortable cushioning flexible foams were commercially available. With the development of a low-cost polyether polyol, flexible foams opened the door to the upholstery and automotive applications we know today.

Formulations, additives and processing techniques continue to be developed, such as reinforced and structural moldings for exterior automotive parts and one-component systems. Today, polyurethanes can be found in virtually everything we touch—desks, chairs, cars, clothes, footwear, appliances, beds as well as the insulation in our walls and roof and moldings on our homes.