Non Toxic Polyurethane Alternative - What Is The Best?

Polyurethane is one of the most durable products available and is used for a multitude of functions. More durable than both plastic and rubber by a factor of 8 to 1, polyurethane can be used as a substitute for even steel due to its resistance to rust, fungus growth, mold, and mildew. Polyurethane can also be bonded to metal, fabric, ceramic, wood and in some cases provide a waterproof layer of protection for marine and recreational products. Because of its remarkable durability, polyurethane can reduce the frequency of replacement and cut down on installation and labor costs.

Even given its immense durability and wide range of benefits, this substance has one major drawback: a toxic substance included in its ingredient list called isocyanates. Polyurethane chemistry is based on the reaction of isocyanates with active hydrogen containing compounds.

Technically speaking, isocyanates are compounds including one or more of the highly reactive isocyanate group. This group will readily react with hydrogen atoms more electronegative than carbon. Methyl isocyanate was the causative agent in the Bhopal Disaster that killed thousands of people in India and are potentially dangerous irritants to the eyes and respiratory tract, despite their relatively low acute toxicities.

Polyurethanes have variable curing times, and the presence of free isocyanates in foams vary accordingly. During this curing period workers need to wear masks to protect themselves, yet its still not a foolproof strategy for avoiding the danger of inhaling toxins.

Several companies are now in the pioneering stage of creating non-toxic polyurethane alternatives, which have minimal or zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including Hybrid Coating Technologies. Hybrid Coating makes "Green Polyurethane", which has zero VOCs and zero isocyanates. The product is stronger than a typical polyurethane and has the resistance of an epoxy making it an ideal alternative to traditional polyurethane with isocyanates.

Other solutions include epoxy resins without isocyanates, but epoxies are notoriously short lived and must be replaced every year or so, while in contrast a Non toxic polyurethane can last 5 to 10 times longer than the strongest epoxy. In clean environments such as schools, restaurants and hospitals, it is becoming even more critical to find alternatives, which create zero risk for children, patrons and patients and requires no shutdown from toxicity.

When choosing your binding and coating materials the ultimate combination is to first make sure the material is non-toxic VOC free. Then look for both strong resistance properties to account for environmental challenges and high durability to extend the life of your coating as long as possible.

John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates avoiding toxic polyurethane and using non-toxic solutions like Green Polyurethane from Companies like Hybrid Coating Technologies a Northern California high tech coatings company.