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Polyurethanes: Versatile Materials and Sustainable Problem Solvers for Today’s Challenges
Author(s) -
Engels HansWilhelm,
Pirkl HansGeorg,
Albers Reinhard,
Albach Rolf W.,
Krause Jens,
Hoffmann Andreas,
Casselmann Holger,
Dormish Jeff
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201302766
Subject(s) - thermosetting polymer , polyurethane , materials science , adhesive , thermoplastic elastomer , thermoplastic polyurethane , elastomer , thermoplastic , computer science , process engineering , composite material , polymer , polymer science , nanotechnology , engineering , layer (electronics) , copolymer
Polyurethanes are the only class of polymers that display thermoplastic, elastomeric, and thermoset behavior depending on their chemical and morphological makeup. In addition to compact polyurethanes, foamed variations in particular are very widespread, and they achieve their targeted properties at very low weights. The simple production of sandwich structures and material composites in a single processing step is a key advantage of polyurethane technology. The requirement of energy and resource efficiency increasingly demands lightweight structures. Polyurethanes can serve this requirement by acting as matrix materials or as flexible adhesives for composites. Polyurethanes are indispensable when it comes to high‐quality decorative coatings or maintaining the value of numerous objects. They are extremely adaptable and sustainable problem solvers for today’s challenges facing our society, all of which impose special demands on materials.