NEx Webinar Series: Sustainability in Thermoset Polyurethanes used in Building Construction
January 15, 2025 to January 15, 2025
Starting Time:
1:00 EST
End Time:
2:00 EST EST
Description:
This webinar is jointly sponsored by NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials and the American Concrete Institute (ACI).
Polyurethanes are common materials in construction. Insulation (spray foam and sandwich panel), caulk and gap fillers, concrete leveling and post setting, waterproofing, decking, and roof membranes, sound and acoustical controls, OSB and MDF, are some of the most common uses. Polyurethanes can be foamed or non-cellular. Polyurethanes can be as hard as the hardest plastic or as soft as the softest rubber. Polyurethanes are polymers are of a chemical class known as thermosets. The differences between thermoplastics and thermosets will be discussed, especially as regards to their recyclability and sustainability. Some definitions of sustainability will be reviewed, along with other common industry terminology. Recent advancements in raw materials and performance will be reviewed along with methodologies to make thermoset polyurethanes sustainable.