Abstract
Polyurethane-resin doming is currently one of the fastest growing markets in the field of industrial graphics and product identification. Semi-rigid bio-based polyurethanes were prepared deriving from soybean oil as a valuable alternative to fossil materials for digital doming and applied to digital mosaic technology. Bio-resins produced can favorably compete with the analogous fossil polymers, giving high-quality surface coatings (ascertained by SEM analyses). In addition, polyurethane synthesis was accomplished by using a mercury- and tin-free catalyst (the commercially available zinc derivative K22) bringing significant benefits in terms of cost efficiency and eco-sustainability.
Highlights
Since 1937, pioneering works regarding to the polyurethanes (PU) [1] show that these polymers can be obtained with different properties ranging from rigid glasses to flexible foams, and used as elastomers, adhesives, coatings, resins, and so on [2,3,4,5]
Considering theproblems continuous(e.g., research started on the production of “bio-based” polymeric materials coming directly or indirectly depletion of fossil raw materials, the oil price and environmental problems, in the last decade a wide-ranging from renewable raw materials such as starch, cellulose, sugars, lignin, etc. [11,12]
Investigations started with the preparation and characterization of a petrochemical polyurethane coming from the commercially available polyoland
Summary
Since 1937, pioneering works regarding to the polyurethanes (PU) [1] show that these polymers can be obtained with different properties ranging from rigid glasses to flexible foams, and used as elastomers, adhesives, coatings, resins, and so on [2,3,4,5]. A special application of PU is digital doming, a process which adds value to any shape or size of non-porous material by coating the surface with a thick layer of resin (up to 5 mm) having a dome shape, which is due to the high surface tension of the liquid polymer during solidification. This technique, which gives to the surface a three-dimensional effect, is used for a variety of applications, such as key chains, stickers and nameplates. An example of digital doming is the preparation of PVC tiles covered with polyurethane coating useful for the decoration of walls (Figure 1)
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