What is Polyurethane Dispersion?
In general, the term Polyurethane Dispersion (PUD) refers to a polyurethane polymer resin that is dispersed in water. It is not a solvent. They are otherwise called as waterborne polyurethane dispersion. They are widely used for environmentally friendly, low volatile organic compound (VOC) water-based paints, adhesives, ink binders, and coatings. The manufacture of polyurethane dispersions involves synthesizing polyurethanes with carboxylic acid functionality and nonionic hydrophiles that are incorporated into the polymer backbone. The dispersion is then created by dispersing the resulting polymer solution through a process of mixing and filtering.
Polyurethane dispersions are high-performance adhesives made of hydrophobic and crystalline polyester polyols. In particular, one-component waterborne urethane dispersions are used in packaging and automotive bonding of PVC. Waterborne urethane dispersions are a product of two basic steps, the prepolymer step and the chain extension step. Typically, these dispersions have a broad distribution of particle sizes, making them ideal for many applications.
Polyurethane dispersions have many uses, including coatings for food processing plants, pharmaceutical plants, and personal hygiene facilities. These materials are used for a variety of surfaces, from wood to plastic to masonry. They can be customized for the unique needs of your application. Lubrizol is a polymer company dedicated to performance and sustainability. There are many advantages of using polyurethane dispersions in your manufacturing process.
A stable polyurethane dispersion is made of tiny spherical particles that range in size from 30 nm to a thousand nm. The particles are milky white in color, and their size distribution can be either monomodal or bimodal. Because of their large size, polyurethane dispersions can’t be stored in liquid form and must be used immediately. If you want to use polyurethane in your manufacturing process, you must understand how it works before you start.
Best Polyurethane Dispersions – Available Now
Polyurethane Dispersion Formulation
A polyurethane dispersion can be an aqueous coating, paint, primer, or topcoat. Depending on the specific application, this material can contain up to 65% resin solids. It is also suitable for use on a variety of architectural articles, such as plywood. A polyurethane dispersion can be a highly reactive, long-lasting coating. If you’re interested in a formulation for your next project, read on to learn more about the polyurethane dispersion process.
Two-component water-based polyurethane dispersion adhesives can bond flexible sheet materials to polypropylene substrates. The reactivation property of these adhesives is a desirable characteristic. This property allows the adhesive to switch back from non-tacky to tacky upon a second heating. In contrast, adhesives that undergo cross-linking do not have this property. Moreover, organic solvents contribute to the formation of volatile organic compounds and raise concerns about the environment.
Several types of chemicals have been used to evaluate the chemical resistance of polyurethane dispersion. Using a betadine stain, polyurethane dispersions made of POLYOL A-based resins were more resistant than those based on the other types. Chemical resistance was measured using a chemical spot test, a tackiness scale, or blistering/softening of the polyurethane dispersion.
Polyurethane dispersions offer excellent chemical resistance, improved hardness, and low volatile organic content. These compounds also contain a high level of elastomer, making them a great option for construction projects. Polyurethane dispersions can also be reused and reheated. And because they are water-based, they can be reused several times without undergoing a deterioration in performance.
Global Use of Polyurethane Dispersion
Today, polyurethane dispersion is used in a wide range of products, including adhesives, sealants, coatings, and other similar materials. China is the world’s largest automobile manufacturing country, thanks in part to low labor costs, favorable government policies, a large consumer base, and an established supply chain. Other applications of polyurethane dispersion-based adhesives include textiles, footwear, and furniture.
Applications
The market for polyurethane dispersions is growing at a rapid pace, thanks to several factors. Waterborne polyurethane dispersions are environment friendly and safe, while maintaining all of the properties of solvent-based systems. They are also an environmentally friendly option for coating walls. They also possess superior scratch and abrasion resistance. Listed below are some of the most common applications of polyurethane dispersion.
Synthesis
Aqueous polyurethane dispersions are used in thermoforming and adhesive applications. Moreover, they are very stable and have excellent chemical and physical properties. For this purpose, these polyurethane dispersions can be enhanced with other chemicals, such as thickeners (not thinners), fillers, pigments, wetting agents, and defoamers. The properties of these polyurethane dispersions are discussed below.
Environmental Impact
The polyurethane dispersion market is segmented based on application, including paints and coatings, fiber finishing, and textile finishing. This segment is characterized by environmental safety, as it is among the most heavily regulated sectors in the world. However, it is worth noting that this segment is growing as the use of traditional liquid coatings is gradually being phased out in favor of water-based alternative. The growth of the market will be driven by technological improvements in line with environmental sustainability.
Crosslinking Agents
Crosslinking agents in polyurethane (PU) dispersion have several effects on the properties of the polymer. Increased concentration of an ionomers results in an increase in the number of urethane linkages. This increases the hard segment and mechanical properties of PU. Increasing concentration of ionic centers reduces Tg and increases stearic effects. However, the effect of crosslinking agents on the mechanical properties of PU is not as obvious as it may seem.
Competitive Landscape
This research report analyzes the competitive landscape of polyurethane dispersion in the global market. The report covers water-based and solvent-based polyurethane dispersions and their applications in various industries. This report also covers a detailed competitive landscape, including company profiles, regional and country-level analysis, and Porter’s Five Forces analysis. Additionally, it provides an overview of the parent industry and discusses the competitive dynamics within this industry.
Global PUD Market
The global polyurethane dispersion market is expected to grow at a nearly 7.1% CAGR over the next decade (forecast was given for up to 2025). The segment is expected to reach US$2.7 billion in market figure by 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for polyurethane dispersion due to its rising leather and automotive industries. China and India will account for over 30% of the global production by then.
Polyurethane Dispersion Manufacturers
In the polyurethane dispersion market, there are several key players, i.e., Covestro AG (Germany), DSM (Netherlands), BASF (Germany), Wanhua Chemical Group (China), Lanxess (Germany), Stahl Holding (Netherlands), Perstorp (Netherlands), Dow Chemical Company (US), Huntsman Corporation (US) and Mitsui Chemical (Japan). These companies offer different polyurethane dispersion solutions. They are used in a variety of applications, such as coatings and infrastructural developments.
The region with the highest share of the global market for polyurethane dispersion is Asia Pacific, which is both in terms of volume and value. China is the largest polyurethane dispersion market, followed by India. India is expected to grow at the fastest rate, thanks to rapid urbanization and continued growth in many end-use industries. In addition to these key players, the report also highlights the latest innovations in polyurethane dispersion technology.
As the global market for polyurethane dispersion grows, so too has the variety of polymers available. The types of polyurethane dispersion are categorized by region, type, and application. The regions in which each of these products is used are also outlined. The following table shows the types of polyurethane dispersions available in the market. You can use the list below to find the right manufacturer for your needs.
Sancure polyurethane dispersions are water-borne and are used in paint and coating applications for both interior and exterior use. These dispersions offer excellent physical properties and are able to withstand tough environments. Furthermore, they are easy to use, which makes them an ideal choice for different applications. Moreover, these polyurethane dispersions are environmentally friendly. If you’re looking for polyurethane dispersions, contact us today!
Disadvantages and Drawbacks of PUDs
Polyurethane dispersions have lesser mechanical strength than other resins, despite their outstanding environmental credentials. Because of their poor wear and corrosion resistance, they are frequently hybridized. Molecular design and mixing/compounding using inorganic rather than polymeric materials are two more ways explored to circumvent some of the flaws. Using an anionic or cationic center, or even a hydrophilic non-ionic manufacturing process, results in a permanent water resistance deficiency. To tackle this flaw, research is being performed and approaches created. The use of simple mixing has also been used.
This offers the advantage of avoiding the labor required to register the material under various country regimes such as REACH in Europe and TSCA in the United States if no novel molecule has been generated and only existing registered raw ingredients have been blended. Because of the high surface tension of water, pinholes and other air-entrainment issues are more widespread, necessitating the employment of particular chemicals to fight them. They are also less likely to be made with bio-based polyols due to the lack of performance-enhancing functional groups in vegetable-based polyols. This can be accomplished through modification, allowing for increasingly greener variants.
Do you need to seal polyurethane dispersions?
If you have recently stained your deck or patio, you may be wondering: do you need to seal polyurethane dispersion before staining? There are a few things you should do before sealing. For starters, make sure the wood is dry before applying polyurethane dispersion. You can also use mineral spirits to keep the finish open longer, which will prevent any bubbles from forming. When you apply polyurethane, you should avoid getting it on your clothes or skin.
