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Application and development status of polyurethane foam in various industries
In recent years, polyurethane foam has gradually expanded its application area because of its good performance, and it is more and more popular with material manufacturers. Demand for polyurethane rigid foam has grown rapidly, with an average annual consumption growth rate of 16% from 2005 to 2010. The global polyurethane foam market demand in 2015 was 9.46 million tons, and it is expected to reach 12.74 million tons by 2024. The compound annual growth rate from 2016 to 2024 is 3.3%. Let's take a closer look at the application and development status of polyurethane in various fields.
Polyurethane foam is made of isocyanate and hydroxy compound through polymerization and foaming. According to its hardness, it can be divided into two types: soft and hard. Among them, soft is the main type. In general, it has excellent elasticity, softness, elongation and compressive strength; good chemical stability, resistance to many solvents and oils; excellent abrasion resistance, 20 times larger than natural sponge; and excellent processing Performance, heat insulation, adhesion and other properties. Emerging economies China and India are the main consumers of polyurethane foam, and are characterized by ample supply of raw materials and rapid expansion.
Application of polyurethane in coatings
Polyurethane technology emerged as early as Germany. In 1937, Mr. Otto Bayer invented polyurethane, which laid the foundation for polyurethane chemistry and developed polyurethane technology suitable for different applications. Since 1955, Bayer has applied various monomers and polymerized isocyanates, polyesters, polyethers and acrylates to the production of polyurethane coatings. In 1965, anti-fading two-component polyurethane coatings were applied to aircraft and train fuselage; in 1987, Bayhydrolò was used as an aqueous film former; in 1994, Bayhydurò and Bayhydrolò were used as water-based two-component polyurethane systems. Polyurethane coatings dominate the wood coatings industry, with a market share of 75%, followed by automotive refinish paints, which account for more than 40%. Polyurethane technology is also increasingly used in anticorrosive coatings, plastic coatings and automotive original paints, accounting for a 10% market share. In recent years, polyurethane coatings are growing at a growth rate of 15%.
Application of polyurethane foam in building insulation
In 2014, the construction industry accounted for a quarter of the total transaction volume. The increase in construction expenditure combined with regulatory intervention is expected to continue to drive this sector's growth. With the continuous expansion of the building insulation and energy saving market, the demand for polyurethane rigid foam is expected to usher in explosive growth. Polyurethane rigid foams are mostly closed-cell structures with good thermal insulation effects, light weight, high specific strength, and convenient construction. They also have the characteristics of sound insulation, shock resistance, electrical insulation, heat resistance, cold resistance, and solvent resistance. They are widely used in Insulation materials for refrigerators and freezers, thermal insulation materials such as refrigerators, refrigerated trucks, building, storage tanks and pipe insulation materials, a small amount is used in non-insulation occasions, such as imitation wood, packaging materials, etc. Generally speaking, lower-density polyurethane rigid foams are mainly used as thermal insulation (insulation) materials, and higher-density polyurethane rigid foams can be used as structural materials (imitation wood).
Application of thermoplastic polyurethane in 3D field
Voodoo, a New York-based company, has launched a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fiber, NinjaFlex, which expands its fiber range by adding fully elastic and semi-elastic thermoplastic polyurethanes. It is reported that this material is very suitable for 3D printing. The main commercial range of this material includes seals, plugs, textiles, hoses and other functional parts, all of which require elasticity to function well. Because of its high tension, it is not easy to change the strength, wear resistance, and it is not easy to be damaged by contact with the oil surface. This is the traditional disadvantage of rubber. It is also easy to recycle and is relatively environmentally friendly, which is an increasingly important factor in our times.
Conclusion
The unique advantages of polyurethane foam make it a darling in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, which often require large numbers of gaskets and hoses. It is also a very popular shoe material because of its durability and flexibility. It is not surprising that it is well used in rubber boats and other inflatable objects. At present, the price of polyurethane foam is relatively high. It is believed that with the advancement of technology and the development of various industries, the cost of polyurethane rigid foam materials will be effectively reduced, and the application of polyurethane rigid foam materials will become more popular.
