Polyurea, also known as polyureas, is foam made of polyurethane. It is the most common additive in industrial and commercial foam products. It is usually a combination of other ingredients, but the two main components are polyurethane and UV curing resin. It is widely used as a stabilizer, cushioning, or absorbing agent. Polyureas are used in cushions for the seat cushions, air conditioning and humidifiers, linings and gaskets in textile products, chemical and fluid spills, as protective coatings on metals, plastics, rubber, and epoxy resins and polyurea mixtures on waterproofing materials.
Polyurea coatings have found applications in the automotive industry. These coatings are used to improve tire and wheel wear, enhance traction, and protect the life and performance of motor vehicles. Its unique properties, such as high heat resistance, provide excellent braking and acceleration qualities, while enhancing vehicle stability and handling. Its impact resistance property provides excellent protection from abrasive, chemical, andubricant particles. It has the ability to adhere to and decrease friction between rotating parts. This property makes polyurea a good material handling choice for many applications in the automotive industry.
Polyurea is primarily made up of polyurethane, but contains a small amount of UV curing resin and aromatic polyurethane moieties. The polyurea coatings have high tensile strength, low frizz, and high wear resistance. The low viscosity of polyurethane makes it easy to mix with other substances. It has low moisture absorption, yet still contains a high vapor transmission and temperature control.
The reason for the polyurea‘s moisture resistance property is due to its chemical structure, which is identical to that of urethane. In this case, the C-E/C-H bond is rather weak, which allows moisture to be readily removed by sun exposure. The result is that there is nearly no moisture loss from the finished product. Additionally, the mechanical properties of polyureas make it highly resistant to acid attack and alkali attacks. Its resistance to these effects makes it an excellent chemical coating for a wide variety of polyurea formulations, including anti-fungal agents.
Polyureas are used in a wide range of applications, including friction reduction on moving parts, protection against extreme temperatures (such as those encountered during applications in the aerospace and defense industry), and as protective coatings for a wide range of materials. Some polyureas are made from urethanes, which exhibit superior slip resistance. Other polyureas, however, are made from materials with low or zero viscosity to provide them with good chemical resistance to both high and low temperatures. In addition, polyureas are found in protective paints and coatings, making them useful in many applications.
Polyurea, though not suitable for high-tempered steel, is suitable for use in many other applications. It has, for example, been used in roofing products for years, and its ability to withstand heat and moisture make it a logical choice for protecting such products. In addition, epoxy coatings are found on many different types of fiberglass products, and their relative flexibility helps provide additional strength. Lastly, polyureas can be used for a wide range of applications, including filling cavities in concrete. Their water resistance and chemical resistance give them the ability to resist most acids and alkalis, and they will not alter the color of the product when they are applied. For these reasons, polyureas are an essential ingredient in many industries.
