Polyurethane coating

If you are looking for a solution to protect a surface from wear and tear, extend its life, improve its appearance and save on maintenance costs, a polyurethane coating might be the right answer! In this blog post, we’ll have a look at what is a polyurethane coating and its main benefits and drawbacks.

What is a polyurethane coating?

A polyurethane coating (often shortened to PU coating) is a type of protective finish that is applied to a variety of surfaces in order to prolong their life and prevent damage. Polyurethane is a polymer. It is composed of organic units joined by urethane links to form a long chain.

Polyurethane coatings are very durable and are often used on surfaces that are subject to high levels of wear and tear, such as floors and countertops. They are also commonly used to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. The properties of polyurethane coatings make them ideal for a wide variety of applications, ranging from pipelines to aircrafts, from flooring to industrial equipment.

What are the benefits of a polyurethane coating?

There are numerous benefits of using a PU coating. Some of the most important ones include:

1. Protection. This is, of course, the main advantage. A PU coating creates a barrier that’s able to resist moisture, chemicals, impact and a broad range of temperatures, protecting surfaces from deterioration.
2. Versatility. A polyurethane coating can be applied on most surfaces. These include steel, wood, concrete, engineered foam and many more. It can also be applied on a printed circuit board, in the form of a conformal coating. PU coatings are available in both water-based and oil-based formulas, and can be applied by brush, roller, or spray gun.
3. Durability. PU coatings provide excellent weathering protection. They are hard and abrasion-resistant. This results in improved surface durability and an extended life-cycle. Improved durability leads, in turn, to reduced maintenance costs.
4. Curing speed. Polyurethane coatings have a fast cure time, which can be as little as 24 hours compared to the seven days needed for an epoxy coating.
5. Flexibility. Polyurethane coatings are more flexible than other types of coatings and effectively resist cracking.
6. Safety. Polyurethane coatings are safe if properly applied. Fully cured polyurethane is chemically inert. However, PU coatings can cause irritation of the eyes, lungs and skin during application, making the use of personal safety equipment necessary.

What are the drawbacks of a polyurethane coating?

While polyurethane coatings offer many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to be aware of.

• Flammable. Polyurethanes can become flammable if exposed to certain chemicals or high temperatures. For this reason, PU coatings are often treated with flame retardants. In most cases, however, polyurethanes will not pose a fire hazard.
• Yellowing. PU coatings can be susceptible to yellowing over time. This is especially true for clear coatings, which may yellow when exposed to sunlight or other sources of UV light.
• Difficult to repair. A polyurethane coating can be hard to repair if it becomes damaged. This is because the material is hard and inflexible, making it difficult to patch or otherwise repair without causing further damage.

Conro Electronics, as a leading supplier of materials and tools in the electronic manufacturing industry, offers a wide selection of polyurethane coatings from major manufacturers such as Humiseal.

We’ll show you how to improve product reliability while increasing performance and lowering costs. Our team of technical support specialists will provide your company with dependable global supply, unrivalled efficiency, and superior technical support.

Feel free to contact us on 0208 953 1211 or send us an email to info@conro.com