Polyurethane (PU) Plastic: Outstanding Properties, Classification and Applications

Polyurethane (PU) plastic, also known as plastic rubber, is a polymer material made up of organic units linked through Carbamate. This type of plastic stands out with 4 main properties: abrasion resistance 3-5 times superior to rubber and metal, non-stick surface, high elasticity and good insulation and heat resistance in the range of -40°C to 80°C.

There are 3 main types of PU plastic on the market: thermoplastic PU plastic processed at 120 - 150°C, molded PU plastic and cross-linked PU plastic with 3-dimensional spatial structure. With its superior properties, PU plastic is widely used in many fields such as pipe production, decorative molding, interior plastic flooring, industrial machine shaft coating and mold making.

“The global Polyurethane market is expected to reach USD 111,16 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5,88% from 2024, primarily driven by growing demand in the construction and automotive industries.” – Market Research Future (MRFR), Global Polyurethane Market Outlook Report 2024 – 2029.

What is Polyurethane (PU) plastic?

Polyurethane (PU, plastic rubber) is a type of Polymer material made up of organic units linked together through Carbamate (Urethane) bonds.

PU plastic has two main forms: PU tree and PU sheet and both include hard PU plastic and soft PU plastic components. In Vietnam, people often call this material plastic rubber. They are extremely durable against environmental factors such as weather and oxidation.

What are the outstanding properties of Polyurethane (PU) plastic?

Based on analysis from reliable sources that Kosmos has compiled, to use Polyurethane plastic properly and most effectively, users should know about the following 6 characteristics of this material.

Polyurethane plastic has excellent abrasion resistance

This is the most prominent feature that users can easily recognize when using the product. Even when compared to other materials such as rubber or metal, PU plastic still exhibits 3-5 times more excellent performance in abrasion resistance. Thanks to this, PU (Polyurethane) plastic is widely used to cover the surface of other materials, forming a superior protective layer.

Does not adhere dirt to the surface

With a smooth and flat surface, oils, greases, fats, organic solvents or impurities often have difficulty adhering to PU resin.

PU plastic is pressure resistant and highly elastic

With the ability to withstand pressure and high elasticity, Polyurethane plastic is a material widely used to make wheels and shockproof devices.

If you roll PU plastic into thin sheets, it will be difficult for you to tear them because the elasticity of this product will be maximized.

Excellent electrical insulation and heat resistance

Polyurethane plastic is used as an insulating coating for many different applications, while protecting electrical components and equipment from damage caused by humidity, corrosive environments and other external factors (withstands temperatures ranging from -40℃ – 80℃).

3 types of PU Polyurethane plastic on the market

According to official sources that Kosmos has compiled, Polyurethane plastic is not the same as PP or POM plastic but has 3 main types:

Thermoplastic PU plastic

The process of forming this product will be processed on a plastic machine. First, the raw materials are heated at 120 – 150℃ to form liquid Polyurethane plastic. Then they will be shaped according to the intended use.

Molded PU plastic

When Polyurethane is molded with Prepolymer and Active Isocyanate, the heating process will cause the chemical bonds to break. Therefore, this type of plastic cannot be reused like some other types of plastic.

Horizontally bonded PU plastic

Instead of having a structure similar to flexible PU or molded PU, Polyurethane resin is cross-linked and forms in three-dimensional space.

According to recent studies collected by Kosmos, PU plastic includes two main types: Polyester PU and Polyether PU according to molecular structure:

• Polyester PU: Has high mechanical properties and good oil resistance, but poor water resistance.
• Polyether PU: It has better temperature and hydrolysis resistance than Polyester, however its oil resistance and mechanical properties are slightly poorer.

Applications of PolyUrethane plastic in life?

Thanks to advancements in the field of science and engineering, manufacturers are able to create a wide range of products from PU plastic material. These products are widely used in everyday life, typically including:

• PU plastic panels Used as tripod pads, roller covers, shock absorbers.
• PU plastic pipes are commonly used in the production of gas pipes and liquid pipes.
• Round tree PU plastic is widely used in metallurgy and mining, especially in making cushions, spring blocks and reducing friction in mechanical equipment.
• PU moldings are used to decorate ceiling walls for residential buildings, villas, apartments, and townhouses.
• In the furniture industry, vinyl flooring is one of the popular applications of Polyurethane plastic. What is special about PU is its high durability and noise reduction ability, making it a popular choice in the furniture industry.
• Due to its excellent chemical and solvent resistance, PU resin is often applied to cover shafts used in industries such as printing, steelmaking, textile industry and papermaking industry.
• In the mining industry, PU plastic sheets are often used as linings for pipes, conveyors, shafts and wheels.
• Polyurethane resin is also used to create molds for concrete, construction materials, plastics, waxes, especially in the production of products that require sophistication and detail in patterns.
• They also have electrical and thermal insulation properties, so products made from PU plastic are often used for the production of packaging bases and underwater cables.

PU moldings are used to decorate walls

Conveyor belt made from PU plastic

>>> Discover more:

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Related question

Is PU plastic toxic?

According to information from reputable organizations that Kosmos has researched, PU plastic is completely non-toxic to human health.

What are the 3 plastic materials commonly used at Kosmos?

Kosmos is one of the famous brands in the field of interior and exterior decoration materials. 3 plastic materials commonly used at Kosmos include:

1. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): With a density ranging from 1.25 – 1.46g/cm³, it is used to produce various lines. wall and ceiling plastic panels, wood plastic floor, 2-sided wood-plastic partition, load bearing floor,… specializes in interior decoration.
2. PS plastic (Polystyrene): It is a type of thermoplastic polymer with a density of 1.05 – 1.06 g/cm³ used to manufacture fluted panel cladding (PS). molding PSPS plastic materials are often lightweight, easy to construct, and effective against mold.
3. Resin: It is a transparent, UV-resistant, waterproof plastic that is easy to polish to increase brightness. It is combined with bamboo charcoal with a high compression ratio of over 0.65g/cm³ to create a line of Bamboo Charcoal Panels. Kosmos bamboo charcoal panels are capable of reproducing 70 - 80% of the beauty of the materials they simulate such as wood, stone, paper, fabric, concrete, metal, mirror, etc.

>>> See more: How much is cheap plastic panel per square meter | Quote for plastic wall panels, ceiling panels, partition panels.

What is the difference between PU and PVC plastic?

Based on accurate information from reliable sources, Kosmos has researched that PVC is a thermoplastic formed from the polymerization of Vinyl Chloride (VC) monomer. Below is a summary table of the outstanding differences between PU and PVC that Customers can refer to:

PU plastic is a versatile material with many outstanding advantages such as high durability, good resistance in many different environments. Thanks to its flexibility in application, PU plastic is widely used in many industrial and life fields. If you need to learn more about other types of plastic or plastic materials, please comment below for Kosmos to answer.