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What are the major differences between Polyurea and Polyurethane?

    polyurea vs polyurethane

    Deciding between polyurethane and polyurea for your project can be a bit tricky. Lets dive into the makeup, qualities, ways they’re applied and typical uses of these materials to assist you in making a informed choice.

    While polyurethane and polyurea share similarities there are distinctions, between them. Polyurethane has been a go to coating for quite some time whereas polyurea is a player in the market. Despite their similarities there are differences, between the two.

    Armorthane polyurea coatings

    CHEMICAL MAKEUP OF POLYURETHANES​

    Polyurethane is a string of repeating monomers containing hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen coupled together by the polymerization process to form a polymer. The polymer is then introduced to an alcohol catalyst containing hydroxyls and isocyanates, to become a polyisocyanate called polyurethane, the result of an exothermic reaction.

    Polyurea, discovered in the 1980s, is an elastomer formed by an added catalyst reaction that happens while the product is being applied. Therefore it may produce an exothermic reaction on the substrate while it cures. In this case, the final product is not formed until the application process, as opposed to many kinds of polyurethane used in the industry.

    UNDERSTANDING THE
    USES OF POLYURETHANE

    Polyurea’s intrinsic properties make it an ideal candidate for durable, gorgeous coatings that stand up to some of the most arduous conditions, including marine and industrial conditions. It remains clear under UV light and handles damp environments, making it an appealing coating for floors and other building surfaces like countertops.

    Polyurethane is often employed to make mattress foam, insulation, and hardened protective coatings, polyurethane is one of the most prevalent polyols in modern industry. You can find it in shoes, housing, furniture, cars, and more.

    The creation of chemical polymers has unlocked new worlds of opportunity in manufacturing, and with the recent addition of polyurea to the lineup, the capability of these materials will continue to grow. New additives and application methods are continually being developed, and new industrial needs are being met or surpassed as the formulations are developed.

    ANALYZING CURE TIME
    OF POLYURETHANE

     


    The time it takes for a coating to cure completely hinges on various critical variables. The factors that determine this include temperature, humidity, dew points, and the type of coating applied.

    Too low or too hot of temperature and high humidity levels can adversely influence how your coating cures.

    POLYURETHANE CURE TIME

    Urethane coatings are a popular choice for concrete surfaces due to their durability and resistance to abrasion, chemicals and UV light. However, the curing time for these coatings varies depending on the product type and formula used. Generally speaking, most concrete Urethane coatings need to cure for about 10 to 12 hours before they can tolerate foot traffic. However, it’s important to note that curing will continue for several days after the initial application. During this time, the coating will harden, bond and develop its full strength. 

     

    POLYUREA CURE TIME

    Traditional polyurea cures between 5 and 15 seconds and are used on a broad and diverse list of applications. Because of its rapid cure time, it is great for coating pipes and pipelines, the inside of tanks, bedliners, and equipment. Polyaspartic, an aliphatic polyurea that can extend the cure time, making it easier for user-friendly applications. The pot life of polyaspartic is between 5 and 20 minutes and is dried in hours. Newly coated polyurea floors are accessible to pedestrians within 4-6 hours. The floor is ready for transport within 24 hours.

    SO WHICH IS BETTER?
    POLYUREA VS POLYURETHANE​

    The primary distinction, in this case, is the polyurea reaction happens much more quickly than the polyurethane one and can gel in a matter of seconds after the mixing. 

    Polyurea and Polyurethane are widely used in the coatings industry, and both components are mixed using a variety of spray equipment. Polyurea coatings are still relatively new to the game but have proven to be a champion for the coatings industry.

    Polyurea isn’t always the no-brainer choice, despite its advantages over Polyurethane and other coating types; every project has unique specifications and budget to consider. To learn whether polyurea is the best fit for your project, click here to contact us for a free consultation with one of our experts.

     

    FIND OR BECOME AN APPLICATOR

    A small investment for coating equipment and products will get you started in a new polyurea, polyurethane, and spray foam business or increase the revenue of an existing company. With no franchise fees or royalties, starting a protective coating business or other ArmorThane dealer business is a relatively low cost venture. 

    We provide personal training to get your new polyurea or polyurethane system up and going. Plus, we have a dedicated support team ready to assist you anytime you need us. We sell to dealers around the world who use our products for a wide variety of applications. These include everything from truck bed liners to animal habitats.

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