Features for Production Method and Raw Material of Polyurethanes and Their Latest Progress

Abstract

Synopsis

Polyurethane (PU) is defined as a polymer having urethane bond in the chemical structure, but most of PU are industrially composed not only of urethane but also chemical bonding having high molecular cohesion force such as urea.Therefore, in a broad sense, PU is defined as “polymer derived from isocyanate” that forms those bonds. Generally, the production method and productivity of PU are greatly influenced by the chemical structure of isocyanate. In addition, a wide variety of polyol in chemical structure are used in order to widely control the physical properties of PU. Therefore, the production process, molding process and application of PU are also diverse. While PU has versatility of mass products, on the other hand, there are aspects of fine chemicals that require high functions with small quantities of various type, so research and development for constantly improving functions and environmental issues are being carried out. In this paper, after outlining the chemistry of isocyanate and polyol, the features for production method and raw material of PU, and further their latest progress are introduced.