products of chemistry California State UniveniR: Fresno
Fresno, CA 93740
Polyurethanes: A Class of Modern Versatile Materials
Raymond B. ~ e ~ m o u r l University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 George B. Kauffman California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740 The myriad applications of polyurethane coatings, attention to the higher-melting polyamides, which are now foams, fibers, moldings, and elastomers demonstrate the known as nylon (3). versatility of urethane chemistry and the creativity of polymer scientists. Urethanes have indeed come a long Polyurethane way from being a mere qualitative test for alcohols. Otto Bayer (1902-1984) became aware of Carothers'in- ventionof polyamides and polyesters, and in his attempt to Simple Condensation Reactions circumvent Carothers' patents, Bayer chose the urethane Before modem instrumental techniques, such as infra- reaction. He produced polyurethanes by the condensation red spectroscopy, chemists characterized organic com- of difunctional hexane diisocyanate and 1,4-butanediol, pounds by simple small-scale chemical reactions to form monomers that were not commercially available when he derivatives. For example, if an unknown liquid compound undertook his polyurethane studies. was classified as an alcohol by solubility tests, the chemist would convert this alcohol to a solid ester or solid urethane nOCN(CH,)flCO + nHO(CH2),0H + (N-alkylurea or alkyl carbamate) derivative by a condensa- [-CONH(CH2),NHCOO(CH2),0-I" tion reaction with an aromatic acid chloride or an aromatic isocyanate. The fibers obtained from these polyurethanes were suit- able for brush bristles because they were stiffer than nylon ROH + M O C l + ArCOOR + HC1 and other textile fibers. ester ROH + ArNCO + ArNHCOOR Polyurethane Foams urethane A major breakthrough occurred when a trace of water Similarly, an unknown amine could be characterized by was inadvertently present in the reactants. The carbon di- a condensation reaction with an aromatic carboxvlic acid oxide gas produced by the reaction of isocyanate and water or an aromatic isocyanate to produce an amide or a substi- formed many small empty areas (cells)in the product, pro- tuted urea, respectively. ducing what Bayer's colleagues called "imitation Swiss cheese". This polyurethane foam eventually became the RNH2+ AICOOH + MONHR + H20 major polyurethane product. The United States consump- amide tion of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams in 1989 was RNH, + ArNCO + ArNHCONHR 786 thousand tons and 392 thousand tons, respectively. urea The total worldwide consumption of polyurethane in 1989 Then the identity of the derivative was confirmed by mixed was 4.14 million tons (4). -. meltinrr ~ o i n t swith condensation derivatives of known compounds. Polyurethane foam production, which may be readily demonstrated in the laboratory (5),is dependent on the in- stability of the carbamic acid, which decomposes into car- Early Polymer Chemistry bon dioxide and amine. Polyesters and Polyamides OCN(CH2),NC0+ H20 + When Wallace Hume Carothers (18961937) was trying to produce the world's first synthetic fiber, he repeated the C02T+ OCN(CH2)&H, ester reaction using a difunctional alcohol, such as ethyl- ene glycol (HOCH2CH20H),with a difunctional dicarbox- The amine then reacts with isocyanate groups to produce ylic acid, such as adipic acid (HOOC(CH2)&OOH),to form a polyurea (6). a polyester (1, 2). Unfortunately, the chain length of the product was too short to be classified as a polymer. Carothers demonstrated his creative chemical ability by recognizing the need for high-purity reactants to produce polymers with a high degree of polymerization (DP), that Industrial Production of Polyurethane is, a large number of repeating units. Because the aliphatic A relatively small amount of polyurethane for aircraft polyester softened when heated by an iron, he turned his coatings was produced in Germany during World War 11, but large-scale production was delayed until Bayer and 'Deceased November 15,1991. Monsauto joined to form the Mobay Corporation, which
Volume 69 Number 11 November 1992 909
produced polyurethanes by the reaction of hydroxyl-termi- (RIM) (8). This process depends on a "self-skinning" pro- nated polyesters or hydroxyl-terminated polyethers and cess that yields moldings of controlled densities, consisting - tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), using chlorofluorocarbons of a hardIshel1 exteriorand a microcellular core. (CFC's or Freons) as the foam agent (pro~ellant).More re- The original RIM technology, which made possible the cently, the less volatile diphenyfmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate molding of large objects a t moderate pressures in inexpen- (MDI) is being used as a monomer. sive molds, was a slow process that required external re- Due to the adverse effect of CFC's on the ozone layer, lease agents on the mold surfaces. The reaction rate in the nonchlorinated fluorocarbon propellants (sot%fluorocar- RIM process has been improved using aromatic diamines bons) are being used instead. The use of CFC's in foam pro- in place of ethylene glycol and a solubilized zinc stearate duction. refrigeration, and air conditioning is being discon- release agent. The molding rate of today's RIM process is tinued in acc&dance with an international agreement, the comparable to that of standard injection molding, but Montreal Protocol (1987). Microcellular polyurethane much larger moldings (100 lb) can be reproduced by the foam is used for shoe soles and for the reaction injection modern RIM process. molding (RIM) oflarge parts, such as automobile bumpers. The strength of parts produced by the RIM process has The tough polyur&&e coating, which was used as a been improved by the incorporation of reinforcements, super-coating on German aircraft during World War 11, is such as glass or carbon fibers (RRIM). The properties of now produced a t an annual rate of more than 75 thousand these uniaue molded-in-place products have been im- tons in the United States. These coatings are available as proved by ihc fonnatlon ofhybrid copolymers of epoxy and one- and two-package systems. unsaturated polyester resins. The RIM technolorn has also been used t~-~r;ducelarge molded articles from nylon 6 One-Package Systems (Nyrim),. dicsclopentadiene . . (Metton) polyurea-amines, Polvurethanes with unreacted isocyanate groups, which poiyester-amines, and epoxies. r e a c k t h moisture in the air, are used in ~ n i - ~ a i k sys- a~e tems. The reaction product of urethane and alkyd resins Advances in Polyurethane Technology (polyester resins produced by condensing a dihydric alco- The most dramatic advance in polyurethane technology hol and a dicarboxylic acid) are also used in one-package may be tubeless automobile tires.l'neumatic polyurethane - svstems. I n another one-oackaee svstem. the terminal iso- cyanate groups are condensed with a monohydric com- tires arc being produced in Czechoslovakia, and solid poly- urethane tires-are beine .. used on industrial eoui~meut. .. pound, such as phenol (C6H50H),to produce a urethane such as forklift trucks and as automobile spare tires in the that is unstable a t elevated temperatures. U ~ t c dStates (9).The next advance will be a 100.000-mlle In the cross-linking process, which is comparable to the tire with a solid urethane tread and a resilient foamed vulcanization of rubber, the polymer changes from a linear polyurethane core. chain to a three-dimensional structure that is more like a Polyurethanes are already being used in diverse applica- bed spring with additional bonds between the chains. Like tions. vulcanized rubber. cross-linked ~olvmersare stronger. less efficient insulation far refrigerators soluble, and more heat-resistani than the linear poiyiers. cushioning materials for packaging, bedding, and upholstezy artificial organs no-Package Systems support for weather-damaged utility poles (I01 The reaction between the polyol and diisocyanate reac- fenders, fascias, and panels for Chrysler minivans (11) tants occurs in situ in the two-package system. These two- sound deadeners in automobile engines (121 - . Dackaee svstems are also used to produce ~ o l w r e t h a n e Eoatings, which can be reacted further (cross-iinked, in the automotive finishes and automobile bumpers ski boots and shoes large satellite antennas Dresence of a triethvlcnediamine catalvst (Dahcol. A more ;table three-dimeniional polymer is odtained by the cross- Literature Cited linking reaction. 1. &&an, G. B. J Chem. Educ. 1988.65.803. While the use of polyurethane fibers is limited to appli- 2. KaUmnan,G.B. CHEMTECHl988,18(121,125. 3. M-el, C. S.;Carraher, Jr,C. E. In Pioneers in Polymer Seiam; Seymour, R. B.: cations where stiff fibers are acceptable, "snap back" fibers Pading, L. et al., Eds.;Kluwer: Dordrrdrht, The Netherlands, 1989;Chapter 12. (Spandex) are produced by joining sequences (blocks) of 4. Gupta, R. C. Chem. Bus. 1888,2(22), 107. stiff urethane polymers and flexible hydmxyl-terminated 5 . Seymour, R. B.: Hi@na, J. E%pg?imntol Organic Chemefry;Bsmes and Noble: ..... ....., . NswVnrk .... 1911 polyesters. Spandex fibers are used for the stiff parts of 6 . Seymour, R. B. Infmdmdfian fo P o l p Chemistry; ~ Mffiraw Hill: NenYmk, 1911. undergarments, socks, and surgical stockings (7). 7. Seymour, R. 9. Eneyeloprdio of Pkyrvol &ie- andTmhnology: Academic: Or- lando, ,%I 1981:Vol. 11. Reaction Injection Moldings 8. Sheard.A.Elasfomr& 1990.12212).16. 9. stokea,'~.; pajtas. S. I&B,121(11.19. 10. Srnoluh, 0. R. Modem Plastics 1989,66l12),28. I n 1989 the United States produced 94 thousand tons of 11. Wipotsky,V, Plast. Eng 1963,45(91,23. polyurethane moldings by reaction injection molding 12. Eeekhsut, G.: Pham, T.: Iacknmd, R.J. ModPrn Plostiea 1988,ffi(4). 132