Q&A About Polyurethanes

Consistent Performance in a Waterborne Polyurethane Adhesive

Mon, 01 May 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Scaling up products from the laboratory to field trials to full production can often be problematic, whether a new polymer is being developed or a formulated finished adhesive is manufactured. If bond failures are occurring during production, the plant may go back to the adhesive supplier and claim the adhesive is at fault.

What type of raw materials should be considered in formulating products with a bio-based focus?

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 07:02:00 -0500

A definition of “bio-based” is a good starting point for this discussion. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines bio-based products as those derived from plants and other renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials. Standardized tests have been developed (ASTM D 6866) to quantify the bio-based content of a product or a raw material.

What types of surface preparation are necessary to obtain strong and durable bonds?

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 08:03:00 -0400

Companies using adhesives are expected to be able to consistently produce an assembly―whether in the flexible packaging, furniture, automotive or construction industry―without differences in the quality of the product manufactured. This is the case for both high-performance structural bonds and applications with lower performance requirements.

What types of chemical structures could be built into a polyurethane adhesive to optimize heat resistance?

Mon, 02 May 2016 09:00:00 -0400

What types of chemical structures could be built into a polyurethane adhesive to optimize heat resistance? Can you make any formulation recommendations?

Polyaspartic Coatings

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:00:00 -0500

I work in the technical department developing coatings based on various polymer backbones. I am familiar with typical polyurethane raw materials, but have recently become aware of polyaspartic coatings. Could you provide an overview of this technology?

Q&A About Polyurethanes

Tue, 01 Sep 2015 09:00:00 -0400

I am familiar with traditional ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester and polyamide (PA)-based hot-melt adhesives. What are the advantages of using polyurethane technology for hot-melt applications?

Q&A About Polyurethanes: Formulating Basics for Coatings

Fri, 01 May 2015 09:00:00 -0400

An important concept to learn is critical pigment volume concentration (CPVC). Understanding this concept is essential for formulating high-performance coatings. In fact, it’s an “elephant in the room” for many formulators—ignored at our peril.

Q&A About Polyurethanes: Raw Materials Storage Issues

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 09:00:00 -0500

I am an adhesives manufacturer and, as business is increasing, I have a need for a larger warehouse for the polyurethane and polychloroprene raw materials used. How should these raw materials be stored to optimize their shelf life?

Q&A About Polyurethanes: Coatings Raw Materials

Tue, 02 Sep 2014 09:00:00 -0400

I am familiar with formulating polyurethanes for adhesive applications, but would like to learn more about coatings raw materials in order to provide a broader product profile to my customers. Can you provide some general information?

Q&A About Polyurethanes: Increasing Market Requests for Sustainable Adhesives

Thu, 01 May 2014 09:00:00 -0400

Researchers have identified a number of global trends that will have an impact on the adhesive business. One major trend is to use energy more efficiently—both to protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions and from a basic cost-of-energy standpoint.

Q&A About Polyurethanes: Prepolymers with Low Isocyanate Content

Sat, 01 Mar 2014 09:00:00 -0500

We manufacture prepolymers with an isocyanate content of 15-20% NCO using a variety of diphenylmethane-based isocyanates and polyether polyols.

Q&A About Polyurethanes: September 2013

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 11:03:00 -0400

I am developing an adhesive for an application that requires heat resistance greater than 80°C. A formulation based on a waterborne polyurethane polymer currently provides the best adhesion to the substrate and is a fit for the application process. What approaches can be used to achieve the required level of elevated temperature performance?

Q&A About Polyurethanes

Wed, 01 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

I would like to achieve the high performance of a two-component polyurethane coating, but my application process is only able to handle a one-component system. Can any existing formulations help me make this performance leap?

Q&A About Polyurethanes: January 2013

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:51:00 -0500

Certain polymer-based adhesives are described as crystalline, while others are described as amorphous. How do these adhesive polymer types differ? What advantages could be expected from each type?

Q&A About Polyurethanes: September 2012

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:03:00 -0400

Confirming competitive pricing and product availability is a relatively straightforward process, but becoming comfortable with essential technical and performance requirements can be more complicated.

Q&A About Polyurethanes

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:43:00 -0400

Sustainability is a subject that is often raised by potential customers. How should we target new product development or promote existing products to demonstrate that we are addressing their concerns?

Q&A About Polyurethanes

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Q: You've previously discussed polyol recommendations for formulating a two-component polyurethane adhesive. Do you have similar recommendations for the isocyanate component? In many ways, the recommendations for choosing the proper

Q&A About Polyurethanes

Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

I am developing a two-component reactive adhesive and need some guidance on polyol selection. Can you provide information on the performance expectations of different polyol components? The variety of hydroxyl-containing

Q&A About Polyurethanes

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A particular application will require me to bond a variety of optically clear polymers to each other and to glass. What adhesive options are available?A particular application will require me

Q&A About Polyurethanes

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A lot of recent discussion has focused on making construction adhesives and sealants green by eliminating formaldehyde, plasticizers or solvents. Are there similar alternatives for the coatings that are often