ABSTRACT
It is traditional and typical for books on polyurethane chemistry to begin with a definition of a polyurethane, proceed to a listing of the component parts, and finally discuss the processes and design aspects. Despite the demonstrated versatility of polyurethane chemistry, its current applications, except for notable exceptions, are quite boring. Therefore, while most texts catalog the uses for the chemistry, the purpose of this text is to describe that chemistry — a subject only a chemist could love. The applications are noteworthy only as primers for design possibilities that, without exception, focus on the physical: making such polymers tougher, harder, etc. Polymer molecules are considered (or hoped to be) relatively inert. One of the purposes of this book is to dispel that notion. We will focus our attention on the chemical nature of the molecule and show that it can be used by researchers in a variety of disciplines. As we will show, the combination of the physical properties and chemical activities of polyurethane produces a remarkable partnership.
