How to Choose the Right Polyurethane Material

Q: How to Choose the Right Polyurethane Material for Your Product Manufacturing Needs?

A:
Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile polymer material with several desirable properties, including elasticity, wear, oil, solvent, and more. Those unique properties make PU useful in producing many products, including cushions, foam plastics, shoe soles, car tires, and more. However, the manufacturing process for PU involves using materials such as isocyanates and polyols, as well as high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. As a result, safety and environmental concerns must be considered.
 
PU can be divided into two types: thermosetting PU and thermoplastic PU.
 
Thermosetting PU requires cross-linking chemical reactions and heating to solidify and shape. This chemistry results in a molecular mesh structure that offers excellent physical properties but cannot be recycled or remanufactured after forming. Thermosetting PU is often called Casting PU (CPU) in the industry and is used to produce high-precision products such as models, parts, tools, and tires. Liquid PU resin is cast into a mold and allowed to cure, resulting in the desired outcome.
 
Thermoplastic PU (TPU) is a linear polymer solid adhesive material that can be shaped using molding methods such as injection molding and extrusion. TPU has shorter processing times and higher molding efficiency than CPU, and the final product can be recycled and reprocessed. TPU is often used to produce products with high requirements, such as sports shoes, raincoats, automotive hoses, and protective gloves. TPU can be designed in various shapes and sizes according to different requirements.
 
Overall, PU, CPU, and TPU are all polyurethane materials that can produce products with different features depending on the processing method and conditions. PU generally has good elasticity and wear and tear resistance, CPU has high precision and surface flatness, and TPU is easy to process and has high wear and tear resistance. Understanding the differences between these materials can help select the appropriate material for specific manufacturing needs, making it an essential consideration for companies looking to create high-quality products while minimizing environmental impact.
 
Here is a comparison list of CPU and TPU

Polyurethane  (PU)
Thermosetting PU	Thermoplastic PU
Cross-linking Chemistry	Heat-melting & cooling
Network structure polymer	Linear structure polymer
Excellent physical properties	Excellent production efficiency
Casting PU is also known as CPU	Known as TPU
Suitable for casting production	Suitable for extrusion, injection, film blowing, and calendering

 
Link to TPUCO products:
Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer Granules:
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/product/TPU-Granules
Casting Polyurethane Resin:
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/product/Casting-CPU