A polyurethane elastomer coating is a formulation of elastic polyurethane that can be used as a coating. Polyurethane elastomer coatings can be used to protect surfaces that require the properties of elastic polyurethanes, such as abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, tear strength, moisture resistance and temperature compatibility.
The underlying polymer structure in polyurethane elastomer coatings consists of two components, the isocyanate (RN=C=O) and the alcohol (R-OH), which react to form the polymer. The type of polyurethane and the resulting properties depend on the type of isocyanate and alcohol used in the reaction. Several classes of polyurethane elastomers can be separated by isocyanate components, such as:
Toluene diisocyanate
Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)
1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate
Polyurethane elastomer coatings have a wide range of applications due to their ability to add a lot of resistance to the surface of many types of objects. The coating also retains its shape after being compressed or stretched. Examples of surfaces coated with polyurethane elastomers include:
aerospace parts
shopping cart
skateboard
snow plow
Steel Parts and Piping
trash can
roller coaster
Valves and various industrial parts
The particular reason for coating a surface may vary from case to case. Pipes may take advantage of the corrosion resistance of polyurethane elastomers. However, snowplows may use it to prevent road wear. Some formulations may also retain elasticity at lower temperatures. Other applications may take advantage of oil, solvent and chemical resistance. Polyurethane elastomer coatings with additives also resist mold, mildew and fungal growth.
While polyurethane elastomer paint dries in seconds, it can take up to a month to reach its full strength. These paints typically use no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them more environmentally friendly than other options.
