Key Polyurethane Industries and Applications

Polyurethanes are everywhere in our daily lives due to their variety of properties, including insulating ability and light weight. They can be solid or expanded, flexible, elastic, semi-rigid or rigid, and can take the form of foam slabs, molded articles, film or even fibers.

The key markets for polyurethanes are the appliance, construction, automotive, and furniture and mattress industries.

Appliance

• Key Characteristics – Insulation, protection, structural integrity, economy, value

• Applications – Refrigerators, freezers, walk-in coolers, vending machines, water heaters

Automotive

• Key Characteristics – Comfort, safety, lightweight, strong, flexible, NVH reducing, energy absorbing, design freedom

• Applications – Seating, head restraint, headliner, instrument panel, steering wheel, shock absorber spring aids, instrument panel (IP) support, door trim panels, carpet backing, body panels, fascia, exterior trim, window encapsulation, cavity-filling foam, composite parts

To learn more about the use of Bayer polyurethane products in automotive applications, visit our Automotive market page and the Bayer MaterialScience AutoCreative Web Site.

Composites

• Key Characteristics – Design flexibility, lightweight, excellent appearance, strength, durability

• Applications – agricultural and construction vehicle body panels, automotive parts, core materials, aftermarket parts, composite wood parts, optical-grade materials

To learn more about the use of Bayer polyurethane products in composite applications, visit our Bayer Polyurethane RIM Technology Web Site.

Construction

• Key Characteristics – Insulation, protection, strength, corrosion resistance

• Applications – Building insulation, spray polyurethane roofing, insulated metal panels, pipe insulation, wood replacement in windows, doors and millwork, engineered wood products, entry door and garage door insulation, thick film coatings for bridges and other infrastructure, binders for particle board, oriented strand board and other ood composites.

To learn more about the use of Bayer polyurethane products in construction applications, visit our Construction market page.

Furniture and Mattress

• Key Characteristics – Comfort, flexibility, durability, lightweight, design freedom

• Applications – slabstock foam for furniture and mattress cushions, viscoelastic (memory) foam for bedding, pillows and other comfort and medical uses, molded foams for chair cushions and armrests.

To learn more about the use of Bayer polyurethane products in furniture and mattress applications, visit our Furniture market page.

Industrial

• Key Characteristics – Elastic, durable, wear-resistant, vibration and sound damping, resilience, hydrolytic stability, tear resistant, solvent resistant, corrosion resistant, impact resistant, light weight, design flexibility

• Applications – paper and metal roller coatings, industrial wheels and tires, conveyer wheels, mining screens, pipeline pigs, hydrocyclones, adhesives, binders, potting and encapsulants, off-highway vehicle body panels and components

To learn more about the use of Bayer polyurethane products in industrial applications, visit our Industrial and Mechanical market page.

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