Benefits of Water Based Polyurethane Coatings

Polyurethane coatings have covered great distance since their initiation in World War II. Seeing the progress and growing need of polyurethane coatings, it can be said that future technology belongs to 100% solid low volatile polyurethanes. Higher volatile organic compound solvent based coatings are rapidly disappearing from the market and water based low VOC content polyurethane coatings are taking their place. These low VOC coatings have low odor and can be cleaned up easily by water that makes them more convenient and beneficial for use. Moreover, the popularity of polyurethane coatings is owed to its inherent versatility, roughness, abrasion, corrosion resistance and solvent resistance. Some Polyurethane coatings are also noted for their UV resistance and wither. All these traits enable the use of low VOC polyurethane coatings for diverse needs including underwater repairs where general coatings can’t work. 

Fundamentally polyurethane coatings can be divided into two major categories; Aromatic and Aliphatic. Aromatic Polyurethane coatings are noted for being non UV resistant. This means that their color will take a subtle chalky appearance with time. These aromatic coatings are cheaper than their aliphatic counterparts and are preferred on surfaces were color fadedness is not an issue. Alternatively, aliphatic polyurethane coatings are UC resistant and stick their colors for long time. 

The character of polyurethane coatings is achieved by engineering the linkages of urethane that form the foundation of polymer, determining the character of these coatings. These coatings can be applied with variety o application equipment, depending upon the diverse properties and uses of coating. The most beneficial character of these coatings is their application for underwater repairs. Underwater repairs are considered as the most difficult of repairs and there are not many coatings that can be applied underwater as their stickiness will be gone quickly by the action of water however with strong urethane linkages, polyurethane coatings provide an ideal stickiness for all underwater repairs function.