News tagged with polyurethane
Polyurethane
A polyurethane (PUR and PU) is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer (with at least two isocyanate functional groups) with another monomer (with at least two hydroxyl or alcohol groups) in the presence of a catalyst.
Polyurethanes are applied to the manufacture of flexible, high-resilience foam seating; rigid foam insulation panels; microcellular foam seals and gaskets; durable elastomeric wheels and tires; automotive suspension bushings; electrical potting compounds; high performance adhesives; surface coatings and surface sealants; synthetic fibers (e.g. Spandex); carpet underlay; and hard-plastic parts (i.e. for electronic instruments). Moreover, polyurethane products often are inaccurately called “urethanes”, but must not be confused with urethane proper (ethyl carbamate), because polyurethanes neither contain nor are produced from ethyl carbamate.
For more information about Polyurethane, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
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Amazon fungi found that eat polyurethane, even without oxygen
(PhysOrg.com) -- Until now polyurethane has been considered non-biodegradable, but a group of students from Yale University in the US has found fungi that will not only eat and digest it, they will do so even in the absence ...
Researchers build a tougher, lighter wind turbine blade
Efforts to build larger wind turbines able to capture more energy from the air are stymied by the weight of blades. A Case Western Reserve University researcher has built a prototype blade that is substantially lighter and ...
Aug 30, 2011 |
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Novel coatings show great promise as flame retardants in polyurethane foam
Gram for gram, novel carbon nanofiber-filled coatings devised by researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Texas A&M University outperformed conventional flame retardants used in the polyurethane ...
Aug 03, 2011 |
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Trip to rainforest yields new way to degrade plastic
Organisms discovered by Yale undergraduates growing within fungi in the Amazon Rainforest can degrade polyurethane, a findings that may lead to innovative ways to reduce waste in the world's landfills.
Aug 02, 2011 |
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Potentially toxic flame retardants detected in baby products
Scientists are reporting detection of potentially toxic flame retardants in car seats, bassinet mattresses, nursing pillows, high chairs, strollers, and other products that contain polyurethane foam and are designed for newborns, ...
May 18, 2011 |
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Your old sofa - and much more - could be composted, say scientists
(PhysOrg.com) -- Polyurethane plastics used to make a host of products from furniture fillings to shoe soles, cable insulation and paints - and which can be difficult to recycle - could soon be degraded in compost heaps, ...
Feb 22, 2010 |
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Self-Healing: Sunlight Helps Scratches on Cars, Electronics and Furniture Disappear
(PhysOrg.com) -- There are few things in life that are more annoying than having your iPod's beautiful face marred by scratches. But what if those scratches could "heal" themselves? New technology developed ...