An escalating amount of negative press on the tried-and-true polyurethane finish coats has arisen due to concerns with their free-isocyanate content. This paper explores performance aspects of polyurethanes with respect to their UV resistance properties, and safety issues associated with polyurethanes as a function of their precursor isocyanate molecules.

A brief exploration is undertaken to ascertain whether or not the perceived assault on polyurethanes is justified when certain non-isocyanate replacement technologies deserve more careful scrutiny.

Ironically, could it be that industry might be “straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel” (biblical: highly concerned about an arguably small matter while ignoring or unwittingly ignorant of something far bigger)?

Subject
Surface finishing, Coating performance, Zinc rich coatings, Protective coatings, Silicones, Top coats, Isocyanates, Gloss, Gloss retention, Polyurethanes, Polyurethane coatings, Health, safety, and environment, Epoxies
© 2006 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. This work is protected by both domestic and international copyright laws. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2006
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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