{"id":14585,"date":"2022-11-07T06:00:22","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T05:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/?p=14585"},"modified":"2025-08-06T11:51:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T09:51:14","slug":"polyurethane-properties-and-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/polyurethane-properties-and-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"Polyurethane: Properties and Applications"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/polyurethane-properties-and-applications\/#Who_Developed_PUR\" title=\"Who Developed PUR?\">Who Developed PUR?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/polyurethane-properties-and-applications\/#What_Is_Polyurethane\" title=\"What Is Polyurethane?\">What Is Polyurethane?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/polyurethane-properties-and-applications\/#Synthesis_of_PUR\" title=\"Synthesis of PUR\">Synthesis of PUR<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/en\/polyurethane-properties-and-applications\/#Applications_of_PUR_Plastics_%E2%80%93_What_Are_the_Industrial_Uses_of_Polyurethane\" title=\"Applications of PUR Plastics \u2013 What Are the Industrial Uses of Polyurethane?\">Applications of PUR Plastics \u2013 What Are the Industrial Uses of Polyurethane?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>What do ski boots, household sponges, mattresses, and insulation panels have in common? All of these products contain the plastic polyurethane.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Developed_PUR\"><\/span>Who Developed PUR?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polyurethane was developed in 1937 by Otto Bayer (1902\u20131982) at the BAYER dye works in Leverkusen by reacting 1,4-butanediol with octane-1,8-diisocyanate. Industrial production began in 1940. However, during the Second World War, production stalled due to a shortage of raw materials. Nevertheless, Otto Bayer succeeded in developing a process for manufacturing foamed polyurethanes. When work resumed at the BAYER plants after the war, interest in polyurethane technology quickly returned.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7969\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7969\" style=\"width: 340px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7969\" title=\"In 1952, Otto Bayer presented his 1937 invention: polyurethane.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Otto_Bayer_Polyurethan-abgeschnitten.jpg\" alt=\"In 1952, Otto Bayer presented his 1937 invention: polyurethane.\" width=\"340\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Otto_Bayer_Polyurethan-abgeschnitten.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Otto_Bayer_Polyurethan-abgeschnitten-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7969\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><center>In 1952, Otto Bayer presented his 1937 invention: polyurethane.<\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By using different raw materials, it became possible to develop polyurethane plastics with a wide variety of properties.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This enabled the production of \u201ctailor-made plastics\u201d ranging from hard and brittle to soft and elastic, and from thin liquids to highly viscous compounds. The abbreviation for these plastics is PUR, although the term PU is often used colloquially. In industrial applications, polyurethane is used to manufacture <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubing-made-of-elastomers-soft-rubber\/pur-tubing\">PUR tubing<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/plates\/rubber-plates-rubber-mats-rubber-strips\">rubber plates<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\">semi-finished products<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/plates\/foam-rubber-sheets\">foam sheets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Polyurethane\"><\/span>What Is Polyurethane?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Polyurethanes are plastics that contain urethane groups. They are formed by the polyaddition reaction of polyfunctional alcohols with polyisocyanates.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box info  \"><div class=\"box-inner-block\"><i class=\"fa tie-shortcode-boxicon\"><\/i>\n\t\t\tPolyaddition is a type of polymerization in which different monomers link together without producing by-products.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polyfunctional alcohols are organic molecules with at least two hydroxyl (\u2013OH) groups. If the molecule contains two hydroxyl groups, it is called a diol; three groups make it a triol. If there are more than three, the compounds are referred to as polyols. Polyisocyanates are organic compounds with at least two isocyanate groups (\u2013NCO).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Synthesis_of_PUR\"><\/span>Synthesis of PUR<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The \u201csimplest\u201d polyurethanes are composed of diols and diisocyanates. This illustration shows how these plastics are formed:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14593 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/grafik-beitrag-polyurethan-engl.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"632\" height=\"379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/grafik-beitrag-polyurethan-engl.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/grafik-beitrag-polyurethan-engl-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The isocyanate group (red) binds to the diol (blue) via a rearrangement, forming a urethane group (green). It is this urethane group that gives the plastic its name, unlike many other polymers, which are named after their monomers. The letter R represents the organic remainder of the diisocyanate (R1) or the diol (R2), respectively.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When only diols and diisocyanates are used, the result is a linear, non-crosslinked plastic known as thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU. If monomers with more than two functional groups are used, the result is a crosslinked polyurethane classified as a thermoset.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubing-made-of-elastomers-soft-rubber\/pur-tubing\/28592\/pur-fuel-and-lubricant-tubing\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7942\" title=\"PUR Fuel and Lubricant Tubing\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-kraft-und-schmierstoffschlauch.jpg\" alt=\"PUR Fuel and Lubricant Tubing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-kraft-und-schmierstoffschlauch.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-kraft-und-schmierstoffschlauch-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-kraft-und-schmierstoffschlauch-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubing-made-of-elastomers-soft-rubber\/pur-tubing\/28613\/pur-foil-tubing\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7943\" title=\"PUR Foil Tubing\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-folienschlauch.jpg\" alt=\"PUR Foil Tubing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-folienschlauch.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-folienschlauch-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-folienschlauch-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Only a few diisocyanates are typically used in polyurethane production. These include the aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), the cycloaliphatic isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 4,4&#8242;-diisocyanato dicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI), and the aromatic compounds methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and naphthylene diisocyanate (NDI).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The properties of polyurethanes are primarily influenced by the choice of polyols. These can be linear or branched, aliphatic or aromatic, and may also contain additional functional groups such as ether or ester groups. Due to the wide variety of polyols and formulations, polyurethane properties can be precisely adjusted. This includes elastomeric plastics such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/application-fields-for-semi-finished-products\/vulkollan-plates\">Vulkollan\u00ae<\/a> and thermoplastics such as Desmopan\u00ae.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box info  \"><div class=\"box-inner-block\"><i class=\"fa tie-shortcode-boxicon\"><\/i>\n\t\t\tFoamed PUR is produced by adding water or a blowing agent during the production process.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The isocyanate group reacts with water, releasing carbon dioxide (CO\u2082), which acts as the blowing agent. Both soft and rigid foams can be produced this way.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applications_of_PUR_Plastics_%E2%80%93_What_Are_the_Industrial_Uses_of_Polyurethane\"><\/span>Applications of PUR Plastics \u2013 What Are the Industrial Uses of Polyurethane?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polyurethanes are available in many forms, including foams, casting resins, coatings, adhesives, and semi-finished products such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/foils\">foils<\/a>, rods, blocks, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/rods\">round rods<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/profiles\">profiles<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box note  \"><div class=\"box-inner-block\"><i class=\"fa tie-shortcode-boxicon\"><\/i>\n\t\t\tFoamed polyurethane accounts for about 90% of global PUR production.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Both soft and rigid foams are manufactured. Soft PUR foams have long chains with fewer branches than rigid foams. They are open-celled and elastically deformable. Available in various densities and hardness grades, they feature large, open pores that ensure excellent airflow. These foams are used in cushions, mattresses, cleaning sponges, medical dressings, packaging, and filtration materials. A specialty PUR foam can absorb up to 100 times its own weight in oil and is used for oil removal from lakes or groundwater. After the oil is pressed out, the foam can be reused.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7935\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7935\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7935 size-full\" title=\"PUR Rigid Foam Panels as Insulation Material in the Construction Industry\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/hartschaumplatten-als-asolationsmaterial.jpg\" alt=\"PUR Rigid Foam Panels as Insulation Material in the Construction Industry\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/hartschaumplatten-als-asolationsmaterial.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/hartschaumplatten-als-asolationsmaterial-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7935\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><center>PUR Rigid Foam Panels as Insulation Material in the Construction Industry<\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Rigid PUR foams have shorter polymer chains and more branching than soft foams. They also contain closed cells that prevent the ingress of air and water. These materials are commonly used to produce semi-finished products for thermal insulation. Applications include insulation for refrigerators, heat and cold storage systems, and pipe cladding. In construction, PUR panels are used for insulating roofs, floors, and walls.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">One- and two-component foams\u2014also known as assembly foams\u2014are supplied in compressed cartridges. During use, the foam expands and cures through ambient humidity. It is used for installing windows and doors, sealing joints in concrete before grouting, and stabilizing foundations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">PUR is also widely used as a casting resin. Elastic PUR casting resins are valued for their high elasticity across a wide hardness range, their flexibility across a broad temperature spectrum, their resistance to weathering, oils, greases, and many solvents, as well as their excellent wear resistance and mechanical damping properties. These resins are used for rollers, casters, coatings, shock-absorbing and drive elements, wear parts, seals, and wipers. They also serve as floor coatings in residential and commercial buildings and for renovating flat roofs. Rigid PUR casting resins are used mainly in the electrical industry for potting cables and electronic components, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/fasteners\/insulating-spacers-and-insulators\">insulators<\/a>, bushings, and switchgear applications.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/protective-and-insulating-hoses\/28619\/pur-insulating-tubing\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7944\" title=\"PUR Insulating Tubing\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-isolierschlauch.jpg\" alt=\"PUR Insulating Tubing\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-isolierschlauch.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-isolierschlauch-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pur-isolierschlauch-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/rods\/rods-made-of-elastomers-plastics-or-glas-ceramic\/30282\/vulkollan-solid-rod-shore-700\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7945\" title=\"Vulkollan\u00ae-Solid Rod - Shore 70\u00b0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-rundstab.jpg\" alt=\"Vulkollan\u00ae-Solid Rod - Shore 70\u00b0\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-rundstab.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-rundstab-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-rundstab-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">PU <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/adhesives-and-lubricants\">adhesives<\/a> offer excellent weather and aging resistance, along with high impact and shear strength. They are suitable for bonding various surfaces over large areas, both indoors and outdoors. PU adhesives can be used with metal, wood, plastics, natural stone, gypsum fiberboards, and drywall panels.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box success  \"><div class=\"box-inner-block\"><i class=\"fa tie-shortcode-boxicon\"><\/i>\n\t\t\tIn the textile industry, polyurethanes are also widely used. Synthetic elastic fibers such as elastane contain at least 85% polyurethane fibers.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Elastane is a key component in swimwear, stretch jeans, tights, cycling shorts, and shapewear. Rainwear and functional jackets benefit from PU coatings that provide breathability and comfortable wear. PU-coated rubber boots offer better cold insulation than those made from PVC. In shoe soles, PU ensures a non-slip grip and supports ergonomic, joint-friendly walking.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polyurethane has also made its way into sports equipment. In modern ski boots, the inner liner is made of soft PUR foam, while the outer shell is made of rigid, elastic PUR. This construction makes the boots waterproof, scratch-resistant, and flexible even at \u201325 \u00b0C. Other PUR-based products include helmets, bicycle saddles, snowboards, roller skate wheels, running shoe soles, footballs, and the outer shell of bowling balls.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/plates\/rubber-plates-rubber-mats-rubber-strips\/30189\/vulkollan-plate-shore-700\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7946\" title=\"Vulkollan\u00ae-Plate - Shore 70\u00b0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-platte-shore.jpg\" alt=\"Vulkollan\u00ae-Plate - Shore 70\u00b0\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-platte-shore.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-platte-shore-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/vulkollan-platte-shore-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/semi-finished-products\/plates\/foam-rubber-sheets\/30212\/spring-element-plate-made-of-pur-cellular-low-density\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7947\" title=\"Spring Element Plate made of PUR (cellular) - low density\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/federelement-platte-aus-zelligem-pur-niedrige-dichte.jpg\" alt=\"Spring Element Plate made of PUR (cellular) - low density\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/federelement-platte-aus-zelligem-pur-niedrige-dichte.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/federelement-platte-aus-zelligem-pur-niedrige-dichte-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/federelement-platte-aus-zelligem-pur-niedrige-dichte-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Polyurethanes are also indispensable in the automotive sector. They are used in dashboards, headliners, door panels, seats, armrests, tailgates, and underhood fiber mats.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubing-made-of-elastomers-soft-rubber\/pur-tubing\">PUR tubing<\/a> is gaining importance as well. These tubes are used as highly flexible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/application-fields-for-tubings\/chemical-hoses\">chemical hoses,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/application-fields-for-tubings\/pressure-hoses\">pressure hoses<\/a>, and industrial hoses, replacing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/en\/tubes-hoses\/tubing-made-of-elastomers-soft-rubber\">rubber tubing<\/a> and natural rubber alternatives. They offer excellent wear and tear resistance, elasticity at temperatures down to \u201340\u202f\u00b0C, good ozone and weather resistance, and strong resistance to gasoline. Special-grade PUR hoses that meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical, food, and medical sectors.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7936\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7936\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7936 size-full\" title=\"Heavy-duty casters with PU coating\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/schwerlastrollen-pu-belag.jpg\" alt=\"Heavy-duty casters with PU coating\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/schwerlastrollen-pu-belag.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.rct-online.de\/magazin\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/schwerlastrollen-pu-belag-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7936\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><center>Heavy-duty casters with PU coating<\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Thanks to their customizable properties, polyurethane plastics meet the demands of many applications, offering low density, strength, durability, moisture resistance, and aesthetics\u2014making them indispensable in a wide range of industries.<\/p>\n<pre><strong data-start=\"73\" data-end=\"91\">Image sources:<\/strong><br data-start=\"91\" data-end=\"94\" \/>Cover image | \u00a9 Ilya \u2013 stock.adobe.com<br data-start=\"132\" data-end=\"135\" data-is-only-node=\"\" \/>Otto Bayer presenting polyurethane | \u00a9 Bayer AG, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<br data-start=\"220\" data-end=\"223\" \/>PUR rigid foam panels as insulation material in the construction industry | \u00a9 bilanol \u2013 stock.adobe.com<br data-start=\"326\" data-end=\"329\" \/>Heavy-duty casters with PU coating | \u00a9 Iris_AN \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What do ski boots, household sponges, mattresses, and insulation panels have in common? All of these products contain the plastic polyurethane. Who Developed PUR? Polyurethane was developed in 1937 by Otto Bayer (1902\u20131982) at the BAYER dye works in Leverkusen by reacting 1,4-butanediol with octane-1,8-diisocyanate. Industrial production began in 1940. However, during the Second World &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":12812,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2748],"tags":[2750,3244,3245,3204,3257,3256,3247,3248,3243,3249,3250,3258,3251,3252,3254,3253,3255,3246,3213,3259],"class_list":["post-14585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-all-articles","category-materials-in-chemistry","tag-chemical-hoses","tag-films","tag-foamed-panels","tag-halbzeuge-en","tag-otto-bayer-en","tag-polyurethane-hoses","tag-polyurethane-in-industry","tag-polyurethane-plastics","tag-pressure-hoses","tag-profiles","tag-pu-adhesives","tag-pur-en","tag-pur-casting-resins","tag-pur-rigid-foam-panels","tag-pur-soft-foam","tag-pur-tubing","tag-round-rods","tag-rubber-sheets","tag-semi-finished-products","tag-vulkollan-en"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Polyurethane: Properties and Applications - Reichelt Chemietechnik Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Polyurethanes: How are they manufactured? 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