Polyurethane is a versatile organic compound used as a sealant, adhesive, and coating due to its resistance to moisture, chemicals, and corrosion. It is flexible and available in one or two-component compounds, with water-based options now available. It adheres to various materials and is effective as a wood finish or metal anticorrosive. Proper application is crucial for optimal results.
Produced through the reaction of glycol and an isocyanate, polyurethane is an organic compound with particularly good characteristics of resistance to humidity and corrosion. Polyurethane sealant is useful in both industrial and commercial applications. Additionally, polyurethane is often used as a heavy-duty adhesive and as a coating.
A polyurethane sealant can be pressed, layered, sprayed, or brushed onto the joints, but the most common method of application is with a caulk gun. Most sealants are sold in 10 oz (295.74 mL) tubes that fit in the common caulk gun.
In addition to being resistant to moisture, chemicals and corrosion, polyurethane sealant is known for its flexibility. A common problem with joints is the expansion and contraction of the joint. Polyurethane, with its inherent resilience, is particularly resistant to cracking due to movement of joint materials.
These sealants are available as one- or two-component compounds. Since the typical residential user is typically looking for one that is easy to use, the basic residential product has only one component. This means that there is no need to mix the ingredients before they can be used.
The typical polyurethane sealant is hydrocarbon based. With advances in water-based polyurethane technology, however, effective water-based, or latex-based, sealants and coatings are now available. These products are known for their low odor, low VOC content, and ease of application and cleanup.
In addition to making an excellent sealing compound, polyurethane is often used as a wood finish. The same factors that make it a good sealant contribute to its effectiveness as a coating. The abrasion resistance of polyurethane, its resistance to rubbing, make the product a superior wood floor covering.
A quality sealant adheres to masonry, wood, concrete, steel, aluminum, vinyl and most plastics. Its supple yet strong finish not only protects these vulnerable materials but, when used as a veneer, also provides a blemish-free, lustrous finish. Of course, proper application methods must be used to achieve the desired results. Polyurethane coatings work particularly well as an anticorrosive on metal products. Some experts even recommend using it over powder coating to protect the metal, although a textured finish, which many people demand, is difficult to achieve.
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