Has it ever happened to you that when dealing with an industrial piece, you are confused as to what the material of this piece is? In different industries, the need to use different elements has always increased due to the expansion of people’s needs. In such a way that experts are sometimes forced to invent and discover new and creative parts. But in the amazing world of material science, polymers, with their unique diversity, play a key role in the structure of modern life. Meanwhile, two well-known giants, polyurethane and plastic, have always been present in the field of competition. Both have great power and flexibility, but each has its own story and unique features. There are many differences between polyurethane and plastic. Today, in this article, we are going to introduce and examine the differences between polyurethane and plastic. be with us.
What is polyurethane?
Let’s first introduce and review this versatile giant. Polyurethane, born of human creativity in the 20th century, has emerged as a chemical superhero with a complex structure and unique diversity. This substance is created from the combination of different molecules called isocyanate and polyol, and it shows itself with a variable face, in the form of foam, elastomer, glue, etc., in various industries, from mattress and furniture manufacturing to building insulation and car body. You should know that this element is used in a wide range of industries. Of course, considering its features, this is a natural thing. Polyurethane is widely used as coating of industrial rollers in the Mabnapaya industrial group. Of course, the introduction of polyurethanes does not end here. We will get to know more and more about these elements.
Applications of polyurethane
building industry
Polyurethanes are widely used in the construction industry to make thermal and sound insulation, ceiling and wall foams, sealants and adhesives. Due to their high resistance, these parts can help to make life easier.
automobile industry
The automotive industry is one of the most important industries in the world for any country. In the automotive industry, polyurethanes are used to make seats, dashboards, steering wheels, covers and interior parts, which are generally of high quality.
Decoration industry
Today, the decoration industry has become one of the most important industries in the whole world. With the increase of urban life, this industry is expanding day by day. Polyurethane is used to make furniture foams, mattresses, covers and interior components such as wall coverings and flooring.
Medical industry
The medical industry can be considered the most important factor in preserving and continuing human life. In this industry, polyurethanes are used to make medical equipment such as implants and bandages.
What is plastic?
But let’s talk about one of the regular competitors of polyurethanes. It’s time to examine one of the most used elements in all industries. Plastic, with an older history, is a family of synthetic polymers that are created by repeating simple molecules called monomers. This material has an undeniable place in today’s world, with its variety and many applications. From freezer bags and water bottles to complex computer parts, they are all derivatives of this amazing material. Of course, these are not the only ones. If you turn your head just a few degrees in any environment you are in right now, you will definitely feel the presence of a piece of plastic around you. This is why they say that plastic is a versatile element. We are active in Mabnapaya industrial group as a producer of plastic parts. Also, in our group, rollers with plastic coating are also produced.
Plastic applications
We said that today in the world around us, wherever we turn our heads, we notice the presence of plastics in our surroundings. One of the important industries in which plastic is used a lot is packaging. Plastics are used in making different containers and bags. Like polyurethane, plastics are also used in various industries such as construction and automobile manufacturing. In construction, pipes, insulation, doors and windows, etc. are made of this element. Also, in automobile manufacturing, the presence of this element can be noticed in the manufacture of internal and external parts, bumpers, lights, etc. Plastics are also widely used in the electrical industry. The body of the appliance, wires and cables, etc., are all made of different plastics. Now, by examining these cases, you may understand more and better the importance of using plastic in people’s lives today.
Differences between polyurethane and plastic
Now, in this part, it is time to examine the main differences between these two elements in different fields. There are many differences between polyurethane and plastic, and by understanding these differences, you can make a better choice.
The main difference between these two elements, which actually causes other differences to emerge, is their structure. Polyurethane is made up of different molecules and plastic is made up of repeating simple molecules.
Here, the meaning of the variety of production parts is which element is used more to make parts. In the past, more plastics were used. But today, due to the fact that polyurethanes have higher resistance, the use of this element is more common in the production of various parts.
We said that usually polyurethane has more resistance than plastic. This case is especially noticeable in the field of tearing and wear and corrosion.
Due to the texture and structure of polyurethane, this element can be a better option for insulation. Such as doors, windows, packaging, etc.
Nowadays, paying attention to the recycling of elements has become one of the main concerns of humans. This is so important that today recycling has become an important industry. Plastic is more recyclable than polyurethane.
One of the things that every person pays a lot of attention to when choosing an element is the cost that they want to pay. We said that the structure and resistance of plastics is lower than polyurethane. For this reason, plastic has a lower price.
Biological challenges in choosing plastic and polyurethane
When using different elements in different industries, one of the things to keep in mind is the biological challenges that element may create. Therefore, options should be chosen that cause the least damage to the environment. Both of the materials that we examined can create challenges for the environment due to the lack of complete degradability. But we also mentioned some points that can be a good justification for using them. For example, we said that recycling plastic is an easier task. We also mentioned that polyurethanes have high durability and resistance. Therefore, there is less need to throw them away. Finally, note that the choice between polyurethane and plastic depends on the need and intended application.
Thank you for joining us in this article. As you have seen, in this article we introduced plastics and polyurethanes and examined the differences between them. The world of polymers is a dynamic and evolving world. Polyurethane and plastic, as two powerful competitors, play a key role in this wonderful world. The choice of each of these materials depends on the need and intended application. We hope that the presented material was useful for you. We are working as a manufacturer of plastic and polyurethane parts in Mabnapaya Industrial Group. In addition to the production of these parts, in this industrial unit, these elements are also widely used as covers for industrial rollers. Mabnapaya Industrial Group, having quality assurance certificates, is ready to start cooperation with other industrial units. You can contact us for more information and free consultation.
