look what we did!Innovations From Polyurethane Manufacturers

Hop a Ride with Polyurethane

There’s a new mode of transportation that might make you feel like you’re floating above the sidewalks. Singapore-based entrepreneur, Oliver Risse, has created a three-wheeled scooter that is made of 80% composites and plastics instead of metal.

The weight of the scooter was very important in its development, and the designers looked to the auto industry for a solution.  Typical vehicles are made out of aluminum or other types of metal, but with the help from plastic makers like BASF and others, plastics were able to offer this mode of transportation a very different style and made it...

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Durable Polyurethane Encourages You to Ride High in the Skies!

National Ride the Wind Day is August 23rd and commemorates the anniversary of the first human-powered flight that occurred back in 1977.  What would human flight be without the use of polyurethane?  Polyurethane is found in various wind riders including hot air balloons.  The balloon, or “envelope,” is crafted of woven fabric, typically nylon, and coated in polyurethane.  The polyurethane coating is combined with silicone to protect the fabric from sun damage.  Shout out to durable polyurethane for helping the adventure seekers ride on!

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Splashing About with Polyurethane

We have all been there: walking around a scorching amusement park all day in the sun and all we would like to do is beat the heat and go on that big rapid water ride that’s guaranteed to get us and our friends soaked! 

Did you know that as you splash back and forth, polyurethane is there helping your ride not only be more fun, but also more comfortable? Polyurethane seats are used in some waterpark rides as they help reduce the maintenance of the equipment associated with maintenance and provide cushion for the riders.

So when you’re approaching...

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National S’mores Day

August 10^th is National S’mores Day!  When you are sitting around the campfire with your family, don’t forget about polyurethane! Polyurethane coatings, found in camping tents, are devised to be strong, water and abrasion-resistant all while being lightweight.  These incredible qualities can be very attractive to camping aficionados who are looking for a material that will withstand many of Earth’s elements. From hiking, to finding the perfect campfire wood, to bracing any unpredictable weather, polyurethane can help campers prepare for their next wilderness adventure. 

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Innovator David Sweet leaves behind Surfboard Legacy

Polyurethane surfboard innovator Dave Sweet passed away in May in Los Angeles, California at the age of 86.  Sweet is recognized and remembered in the surfing community for his development and production of surfboards with a polyurethane foam core.

According to Surfer Magazine, after coming in contact with polyurethane foam in 1952, Sweet began the development process of a surfboard with a foam core.  After many trials he successfully achieved his goal. Sweet crafted a surfboard with a polyurethane foam core weighing in at approximately 25 pounds, remarkably lighter than the wooden surfboards he grew up riding. Surfboards...

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Combining Art and Science: Aircraft Paints and Coatings

Airline passengers and aviation enthusiasts often marvel at advancements in jet engines, cockpit electronics and aircraft size. But we rarely appreciate the importance of aircraft paint and recognize its contributions to safety, fuel efficiency and aerodynamics.

The challenges are obvious for paint on the exterior of aircraft: The paint must protect the exterior surfaces of an airplane at 500 miles per hour or more, including high levels of ultraviolet (UV) exposure, rapid and extreme temperature changes, high wind velocities, and the effects of rain.

Similarly, paint and coatings inside the cabin of an aircraft must meet high standards of...

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Set Sail with Polyurethane

When it comes to enjoying the sun and waves from a boat or on a surfboard, polyurethane is here to help keep things afloat. 

Boaters can enjoy the comforts of home on the water, thanks in part to flexible polyurethane foam. Polyurethane is used to make seat cushions and carpet pads firm but soft, and keeps bedding materials supportive and comfortable.

Polyurethane epoxy resins can also help seal the outside of the boat from water, weather, corrosion and elements that increase drag, affect hydrodynamics and reduce durability.

In addition, rigid polyurethane foam can insulate boats from noise and...

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Polyurethane Adhesives and Coatings: A BRIGHT Idea!

In the recent article “The best idea in a long time: Covering parking lots with solar panels,” the Washington Post discussed how parking lots can be covered with solar panels to produce solar energy.

As discussed in the Washington Post Article, according to research conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the average city surface is 35 to 50 percent pavement and 40 percent of that is parking lots.

Solar panels, which are made using polyurethane adhesives and coatings, have the potential to be placed on the top of parking lots and help cool down the cars that...

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Spray PU foam aids in NASA launch: It is Rocket Science!

Plastics News reported that NASA’s test of the Orion spacecraft in December took advantage of spray polyurethane foam insulation on its second-stage liquid fuel tanks.

The spacecraft was successfully launched Dec. 5, the first such take-off since the Space Shuttle program ended.

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