More about Polyurethane

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Polyurethane is a broad term used to describe a variety of molecules and materials. In chemistry, polyurethane molecules are categorized by long chains of organic units linked by urethanes. These organic units are called monomers.

The urethanes that hold the long chains of monomers together are typically simple chemical structures known as carbamate groups (-NHCO2). Any long molecule with repeating units is considered a polymer. Therefore, polyurethane gets its name from the combination of “polymer” and “urethane.”

Because many different types of compounds can be linked by urethanes, the resulting polyurethane products come in a wide variety of forms. Spandex is actually a polyurethane based fiber. But polyurethanes are also hard enough to replace metal in many applications. They are used in everything from automobile interiors and foam insulation to varnishes and thermoplastic elastomers. In fact, it was the invention of polyurethane wheels that made modern skateboarding possible. These wheels gave boards the mobility, durability and grip that groups like the Z-boys needed to reinvent skating styles.

Polyurethane is created by a variety of different processes. Perhaps the most important and groundbreaking process was introduced by Otto Bayer in 1937. He was the first to discover how to create resilient polyurethane plastics, which continue to serve many uses around the world.