Polyurea is a kind of polyisocyanurate, also known as a polyurethane foam. Polyurea is usually derived from the sap of rubber trees. This substance is usually shaped into sheets and used for the purpose of insulation. Polyureas are also used in manufacturing plastic products, dry rubbers and in chemical bases. It can also be made into fibers and sheets, and used in the construction of textiles. Polyureas have great resistance to fire, chemicals, alkalis and solvents and other liquids.
There are various physical properties of polyurea that make it an ideal material for many uses. These substances are non-toxic and have good insulating properties. Polyurea is also available in different viscosities and is used to insulate glass, fiberglass and many other items.
The urethane coating system of polyurea consists of two major components. The first component is called the resin, which is the main constituent of the material. The second component is called the thermoset layer. The thermoset layer is the one that develops the physical properties of the polyurea. With the help of this coating system, polyurea is formed into sheets that are highly durable.
During the earlier stages of production, polyurea layering is done only on the inside of the bottles, tanks, pipes and other containers. As time passes and with the increase of demand, production moves outwards to other surfaces. With this, a large amount of polyurea waste is discharged into landfills. To prevent such situations in future, manufacturers have started developing sealants that improve the resistance of polyureas against abrasion, moisture, impact, heat, chemicals and so forth.
Polyurea epoxy coatings offer many advantages. One advantage is that they have very good water resistance power. Water proofing systems for polyurea are not in vogue, but some of the latest coatings do have excellent water resistance abilities. There are also some polyurea epoxy coatings that have a UV resistance that makes them suitable for outdoor applications.
Polyurethane coatings are generally used in areas, where durability and water resistance are most important. As compared to urethane, polyurethane does not have the ability to be shaped during use. It is usually cut to size before application.
The polyurea market includes both acrylic and polyurethane products. A typical acrylic coating contains up to 300% more resins than the polyurethane coating. Some of the main polyurea products include fiberglass, hard plastic, thermoforming, liquid coating, thermosetting, self-adhesive etc.
Polyurethane has its major benefits over the other polyurea products. One is that the polyurea dries faster, providing quicker drying times. Polyurethane is more rigid and durable than other polyureas. Its high tensile strength, especially in the polyurea isocyanate and polyurethane phases, provides excellent wear resistance properties.
The use of polyurea coatings in concrete and basement floor applications helps prevent the development of mold, mildew, algae and bacteria. These coatings also make water penetration and evaporation difficult and increase the structural integrity of concrete floors. Another benefit polyureas offer is moisture resistance. Due to their ability to lock moisture, they can effectively keep concrete surfaces dry and prevent the growth of mold, algae and bacteria.
