Is Polyurethane Heat Resistant?: Find Your Answer Here
We have heard the name ‘Polyurethane’ in many different aspects of our lives. This plastic material has many uses.
Despite having many uses, polyurethane provides protection. Protection from objects, different temperature changes, etc.
Accordingly, working with high temperatures may concern you about the resistance of polyurethane. It’s always better to stay on the safer side.
So, is polyurethane heat resistant?
Yes, polyurethane is heat resistant. When computing heat resistance, the structural integrity, polymer type, and other things are considered. Naturally, polyurethane can withstand a very high amount of heat. Also, there are many uses available for polyurethane. So, polyurethane is very useful.
This is just the briefing of the entire discussion. Read the whole article to make sure you understand the heat resistance of polyurethane properly.
So, let’s not waste any time and start reading the article!
What's On the Page
What Is Polyurethane?
Polyurethane is basically a form of plastic. It is made with polymers and urethane, thus the name ‘Polyurethane’. The combination of these two chemical elements creates a stable and durable product.
Is Polyurethane Heat Resistant?
Yes, polyurethane is heat resistant. Several factors is considered when deeming the fact that polyurethanes are heat resistant. The chemical structure, proportion, polyol type, isocyanate, and thermoplasticity are some of them.
The mentioned factors are high in polyurethane. Thus increasing the heat resistance. Regarding resistance, water-based polyurethane has lower heat resistance compared to oil-based polyurethane.
There are many types of polyurethane. Among them, the thermostat polyurethane resists heat the most. Thermoset polyurethanes are able to withstand temperatures from 75° to 195° Fahrenheit. Applying greater temperature may cause damage.
Although polyurethane temperature stability has been proven strongly, it has limits. Polyurethane is a form of plastic. It can degrade when exposed to very high temperatures.
The material may turn sticky because of melting. Also, its physical integrity will fall drastically; in proportion to the temperature. You can also burn it at one point!
You can consider polyurethane melting temperature to be higher than 300° Fahrenheit. Remember that polyurethane can be custom-made according to your needs. That way, it can have a higher heat resistance than 300° Fahrenheit.
Prevent the exposure of polyurethane to a higher temperature.
4 Applications of Polyurethane
Polyurethane has many different uses for its characteristics. It’s heat resistant, durable, flexible, and whatnot!
Most likely you have used items made of polyurethane you’re not aware of! Yes, it is that common and widely used.
Let’s look at some of the most common uses of polyurethane.
Varnish and Sealing
Polyurethane materials are very commonly used for varnishing different surfaces. For instance, wood can be varnished to enhance protection. Using polyurethane can create a scratch-resistant, durable, abrasion-resistant, and heat-resistant varnish for wood.
You can use the varnish made of polyurethane in many wooden structures. For instance, floors, window frames, doors, and other wood materials. It can provide heat resistant finish for wood trivets. There are many forms of polyurethane varnishes.
Among them, there are 2 types. The first one is water-based varnish. The other one is solvent-based varnish. Both are widely used for varnishing wood.
If you go with a solvent-based polyurethane varnish, they take more time to dry. This helps apply a smoother finish. Also, they tend to change their colors a bit after varnishing.
On the other hand, water-based polyurethane varnish dries quickly. They don’t change the color that much. Because it dries quickly, it gives the varnish a plastic-like look. It is shinier than solvent-based varnish.
Here are some famous polyurethane varnishes for your convenience-
All these polyurethane varnishes are of good quality and reasonable. You can choose according to your preferences!
Along with varnishing, it’s also possible to seal the wood with the help of polyurethane. Many sealants are of polyurethane and these sealants are recommended greatly for sealing!
Sealing wood with polyurethane will prevent it from soaking water solutions. Also, it’ll add the extra resistance of varnishing.
Furniture
Along with varnishing the furniture, polyurethane is also used to make foams. The foams are soft and durable when made of polyurethane. For example, memory foam is created with viscoelastic polyurethane.
Although the yellowing of the foam is not related to polyurethane. This mainly happens because of light exposure. The light conditions the foam to be yellowish.
A lot of cheaper alternatives to furniture are also created with polyurethane. The furniture present in hospitals is created with polyurethane. Also, the furniture inside certain factories uses polyurethane. That’s why they’re exposed to various heat changes.
Polyurethane can provide durable and heat-resistant furniture. On top of that, it is cheaper than wood, so you can save some bucks!
So as you can see, you can build fully-fledged furniture using polyurethane. The structure and foam, both can be made by it!
Flooring
It might be surprising to you, but yes; polyurethane can also help with flooring. Along with durability, polyurethane can also provide aesthetics to many things.
You can use polyurethane to increase the lifespan of your household items.
The floor is the most used surface every day. So, the durability of the floor is very important. Covering a portion of the floor with polyurethane can be very useful. It can provide protection and increase longevity.
For instance, you can provide layers of polyurethane under your carpets. The carpets will be protected for a long time. Also, the extra layer of polyurethane can block sounds. You can utilize this layer to reduce ambient noises.
As mentioned before, polyurethane can also be used to varnish and seal the floor. It’ll provide a new look, reviving the floor.
Electronic Components
Polyurethane is also used for electric components. You can give your electric components a layer of polyurethane to protect them. Polyurethane can withstand most environmental changes and mechanical shocks.
On top of that, it has good electrical properties; which is very advantageous. Polyurethane inherits low-temperature flexibility, adhesion, and abrasion resistance, which are great qualities.
The process of encapsulating with polyurethane is called ‘potting’. It’s a very good option for electrical components. However, the only drawback is the high temperature. If the circuit or wires get too hot, (over 300° Fahrenheit) it’s a problem.
The wires may melt the polyurethane. The circuit might be unrepairable because of the sticky messy polyurethane scenario. Add a proper circuit breaker to the circuit to prevent this. It’ll prevent the heating of the polyurethane!
These are some of the best uses of polyurethane in our daily lives.
FAQs
What is the difference between polyurethane and plastic?
The molding methods of polyurethane and plastic are different. Plastic is usually injection molded. This method is followed globally. Thermoset polyurethanes are usually molded in 2 ways. Reaction injection molded (RIM)/cast molded. That’s why plastic is more flimsy than polyurethane.
What will polyurethane not stick to?
While polyurethane can stick to a lot of surfaces, it doesn’t stick on some. Most of the surfaces and materials can hold glue/layers of polyurethane. For instance, concrete, glass, wood, rubber, metal, and leather. However, polyurethane does not stick to surfaces affiliated with silicon and Teflon.
Is polyurethane breathable?
Yes, generally polyurethane is breathable. It’s made in a way that it’s not toxic. For example, fabrics made out of polyurethane are breathable. They’re also lightweight! Polyurethane fabrics are flexible and durable. Other utensils made out of polyurethane also contain the same characteristics.
Wrapping up
I’m hoping that now you know the answer to the question; is polyurethane heat resistant?
Since polyurethane is a plastic, it should not be melted in any way. Any melting of plastic is hazardous to your health.
Have fun with polyurethane!
Robert Larry is a woodworking enthusiast, carpenter, creative wood art designer, and spokesperson. He has a passion for crafting unique and functional pieces from wood, and over the years, He has honed his skills to develop a distinctive style that blends traditional carpentry techniques with a modern, artistic touch.
In addition to his work as a carpenter, He is also a writer, sharing his knowledge and experiences through articles and blog posts on the craft of woodworking. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of wood, He creates pieces that are not only functional but also beautiful works of art.