Urethane Coatings for Textile Substrates

Abstract

Urethane polymers exhibit a wide range of properties making them one of the most versatile polymers of today. Urethanes range from very hard and brittle materials to soft, pliable and highly extensible polymers. Also, they can now be made non-yellowing in contrast to earlier urethane coatings which yellowed when exposed to light They are avail able in several types - e.g. two component systems, moisture cures, and lacquers which can be applied to substrates via different processes such as direct casting, transfer coating, spraying, or curtain coating. The polymer manufacturer, depending on his end product need, selects combinations of raw material building blocks and tailor makes his coating. The uses of urethane coatings, in addition to textile applications, include automotive exterior trim parts (i.e. GTO Endura bumper), industrial maintenance coatings, aircraft coatings, wood finish, floor coverings, and marine appli cations Economics show urethane coatings give a very high dollar-in-use value.