{"id":6451,"date":"2017-05-12T08:27:14","date_gmt":"2017-05-12T14:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=6451"},"modified":"2017-05-19T10:00:49","modified_gmt":"2017-05-19T16:00:49","slug":"pc-patently-innovative-latest-polyurethane-technologies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/6451\/pc-patently-innovative-latest-polyurethane-technologies\/","title":{"rendered":"Patently Innovative: Latest Polyurethane Technologies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Expert
Copyright: 1971yes \/ 123RF Stock Photo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Recent Knowledge Center articles have covered various aspects of Polyurethanes, including raw materials that are used to manufacture them, chemistry of the resins, and a discussion of their role in one-pack (1K) self-crosslinking chemistries. (See Reference links 1-5 below.)<\/p>\n

Although coatings\u2019 use of polyurethanes comprises a small part of the total market of the resin, they play an extremely important role in the protection of heavy industrial assets. Oil platforms, ships, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, chemical plants and many other applications could not be protected as effectively if not for the numerous types of urethane chemistries. Hence, a periodic review of the essential components and aspects is a good idea. In addition, this article affords the opportunity to demonstrate how to leverage the internet to develop a body of information.<\/p>\n

Polyurethanes are the most versatile of all the polymers and can be made liquid, rigid, pliable and stretchable, and can be spread, sprayed or molded. Because a variety of diisocyanates and a wide range of polyols can be used to produce polyurethane, a broad spectrum of materials can be produced to meet the needs for specific applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Market<\/strong><\/td>\nEnergy<\/strong><\/td>\nConstruction<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n

House & Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n

Transportation<\/strong><\/td>\nHealth & Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n

Appliances<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Applications<\/strong><\/td>\n-Oil & Gas<\/p>\n

-Wind<\/p>\n

-Solar<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

Infrastructure<\/p>\n

-Bridges<\/p>\n

-Off-shore and Marine<\/p>\n

-Coastal protection<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

-Flooring<\/p>\n

-Furniture<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

-Cars<\/p>\n

-Ships<\/p>\n

-Aerospace<\/p>\n

-Trucks<\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n

-Medical tubing<\/p>\n

-Hydrolytic stability<\/td>\n

Appliances<\/p>\n

-Insulation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Polyurethane applications<\/p>\n

In researching polyurethane trends from a regulatory standpoint, there is a high level of regulatory pressure to eliminate polyisocyanates totally due to their toxicity, reactivity and worker safety. About 15 percent are used in coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) applications, with the rest in rigid and flexible foams. Other chemistries have been developed to eliminate the use of polyisocyanates.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

There are several methods to use to monitor developments in emerging technology spaces. This is sometimes referred to as \u201cdata mining\u201d. Some of these methods have been discussed previously in my coatings career development article6<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Patent applications are a simple way to follow new chemistries or uses. The listings that follow are recently filed patent applications that span paints, inks and adhesives. In this case, what is listed provides some information that could be construed as trends, assuming that additional filings are similar. If your focus is one type of coating, simply set up your search accordingly.<\/p>\n

In this cross-section of patent applications, we see a theme for the use of environmentally-friendly materials; recycled or sustainable raw materials. Another potential theme appeared last year, seen in multiple patent applications from Dow Global Technologies LLC; Rohm and Haas Company, where they use polyurethanes to improve specific properties of acrylic traffic paints and elastomeric wall coatings. We might assume that Dow, being basic in polyurethane chemistry, seized a competitive advantage by leveraging the performance enhancements provided by polyurethanes.<\/p>\n

Please note, the interpretations of what the patent applications mean with respect to technology and market development are the views of this author and someone else may not interpret them similarly. Also, patent applications are simply that; they are not issued patents and as such may not be granted or may be withdrawn.<\/p>\n

Recent polyurethane technology patent applications<\/h3>\n