Although both plastics and polyurethanes belong to the category of polymers, they exhibit significant differences in terms of chemical structure, physical properties, and application areas.
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Polyurethanes
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Plastics
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Chemical Structure
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Linear or networked structured polymeric materials formed by the reaction between polyesters and polyether polyols with isocyanates.
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Made of a wide range of synthetic compounds, with a complex and diverse structure, including polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc.
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Physical Properties
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- High strength and toughness, wear-resistant, oil-resistant, acid/alkali-resistant, etc.
- They can maintain elasticity without deforming
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- They exhibits varied physical properties that can be altered by adjusting the composition ratio and adding specific additives to change hardness, toughness, etc.
- Different types of plastics possess different physical properties; for example, PE has excellent low-temperature resistance and chemical stability, while PC offers high impact strength and good dimensional stability.
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Application Areas
- Polyurethanes: These are used in automotive parts, construction materials, sports equipment, footwear, gloves, electrical switches, plastic joints, among others. Flexible polyurethane is primarily used for packaging, soundproofing, and filtering materials; rigid polyurethane is utilized for thermal insulation in construction, automobiles, aerospace and some other sectors; polyurethane elastomers are employed in the footwear and medical industries.
- Plastics: Plastics have a wider range of applications and can be used for manufacturing containers, pipes, electrical components, furniture, toys, and various consumer and industrial products. For example, PE can be used to produce corrosion-resistant and insulating parts, PC is suitable for manufacturing instrument components, insulating transparent parts, and impact-resistant components, while ABS is ideal for producing general mechanical parts and abrasion-resistant components.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Polyurethanes: While polyurethanes may have some environmental impact during production and usage, they are less likely to produce toxic by-products compared to certain plastics like PVC.
- Plastics: Certain types of plastics, such as PVC, may generate harmful substances like hydrogen chloride and dioxins during manufacturing and disposal. Hence, when selecting materials, it is essential to consider their environmental impact and sustainability.
In conclusion, plastics and polyurethanes differ significantly in terms of chemical structure, physical properties and application areas. It is crucial to consider the specific application requirements and scenarios during materials selection.
