Since its introduction in the 1980s, aromatic polyurea has gained popularity in the coating and paint industry. Its many desirable properties, including high flexibility and durability as well as slip and skid resistance and high tensile strength and chemical and water resistance, are what have made it so popular. These properties make aromatic polyurea coatings excellent for protecting components in the automotive, industrial, residential, marine, and military sectors. Aromatic polyurea is made from a one-step reaction of an isocyanate and a synthetic resin mix component. Because it has a similar set of atoms, the compound is called aromatic. It is a common ingredient in many types of paints and coatings because it is fast curing and insensitive towards moisture.

Polyurea, a type of elastomer, is made from the reaction product between an isocyanate and synthetic resin blend components through step-growth polymerization. It can be either aromatic or aliphatic. It can be a monomer, polymer, or any variation of isocyanates. Prepolymer or quasi-prepolymer can be made from an amine-terminated or hydroxyl-terminated resin polymer.  

The resin mix may contain amine-terminated polymer and chain extenders. Intentional hydroxyl moiety will not be present in amine-terminated polymer resins. Any hydroxyls found in amine-terminated polymer resins are the result of incomplete conversion. Other components, such as additives or non-primary ingredients, may be included in the resin blend. These additives could contain hydroxyls such as pre-dispersed colors in a polyol carrier. The resin mixture will normally not contain catalysts.

ALIPHATIC VS AROMATIC

“Aromatic Systems “These polyureas are based on an aromatic isocyanate. They are very reliable, but they are not stable in light. The surface’s color changes in sunlight, but it does not affect its physical properties.

“Aliphatic System” These polyureas are based on an aliphatic diisocyanate, and they are light-stable. This means that they don’t change color in light exposure (natural or artificial). They are generally more difficult to make and cost twice as much than aromatic polyureas.