POLYURETHANE

The core business of Pieffe is definitely polyurethane. 

Polyurethane, invented in 1937 and attributed to the German chemist, Professor Otto Bayer, belongs to the family of plastics. It consists of macromolecules composed of numerous urethane groups, obtained through the reaction between an isocyanate and a polyol, resulting in a physical change from a liquid state to a solid and elastic material.

The wide choice of isocyanates (TDI, MDI), polyols (polyether, polyester), and crosslinking agents (alcohol, amine), some of which are specifically formulated for certain applications in the in-house laboratory, allows Pieffe to solve even complex problems in various industrial sectors. In fact, a great diversity of combinations is possible, ranging from low hardness (5/10 Shore "A") to the highest (85/90 Shore "D"). With the numerous isocyanates and polyols available today, the possible formulations are practically unlimited, as well as the variety of characteristics and applications of polyurethanes themselves.

Polyurethane is a flexible material because:

• It is mouldable thanks to the multiple possible chemical formulations. With the right formulation, polyurethane can replace steel and aluminium, offering cheaper and lighter solutions.

• It is competitive for both individual and mass-produced parts.

• It is versatile as it allows design freedom with different geometries, resulting the best product for many industrial applications: coating for wheels and rollers, bearings, scrapers, shock absorbers, and many other customized industrial solutions.

• It allows the production of parts ranging from a few grams to several tons - the latest casting lines can manufacture parts weighing over 800 kg in a single casting and in a very short time.

• It provides a wide range of applications for all industries: from the textile sector to the food industry, from pharmaceutical and medical to steel, from automotive to mining, from offshore to glass, from packaging to cardboard, as well as wood, waste sorting, and the supply of auxiliary components for the naval and aerospace sectors.

For particularly demanding applications requiring even higher mechanical properties, Pieffe offers its customers Adiprene® polyurethane, which offers the following advantages:

• Quality: Adiprene® products are used in demanding applications and sectors, offering exceptional dynamic properties for a wide range of applications.

• Safety: Pieffe has developed a broad portfolio of Low Free (LF) isocyanate products offering advantages in terms of performance, processing, health, and environmental safety, always aiming for sustainability.

• Innovation: Experience in designing, processing, and analysing materials allows exceptional capacity for product development and varied applications.

For specific dynamic applications, Pieffe also offers Vulkollan® polyurethane.