A New Era in Decoration Materials: Poliser's Polyurethane Systems as a Wood Alternative

The diversity of polyurethane (PU) materials found in many areas of our daily lives continues to grow each day with the emergence of new application areas and the development of improved product properties. Wood products used in the furniture and decoration sector are, as known, obtained through the processing of timber produced from trees. However, the production rate of natural wood products cannot keep pace with the rapid increase in global population and consumption. Moreover, as in many countries around the world, the lack of conscious tree cultivation for timber production in our country and the implementation of natural resource protection policies have led to the development of alternative and recyclable materials that can replace wood. As in the world, in our country as well, particularly in recent years, the use of PU materials as equivalents to wood decoration products has made the furniture sector a new application area for polyurethanes. In addition to preventing unconscious wood consumption and protecting nature, polyurethane systems have reached rapidly growing consumption levels among the industry's leading manufacturers due to advantages they provide such as production ease compared to handmade wood decoration products, production speed, high water resistance, durability, ease of use, and competitive cost. With wood-equivalent PU materials, decorative building materials, sofa legs, carved furniture and art products, decorative wall panels, picture and mirror frames, and large carved products are commonly manufactured. In the production of such materials, machines that allow manual application are used, typically with the PU material mixed with a mixing head being evenly distributed by the operator into silicone moulds, as well as high-pressure and low-pressure casting machines. With these application methods, products with smooth surfaces and complex patterns/shapes can be produced. The important advantages of wood-equivalent PU materials compared to natural wood can be summarized as follows:

Easy moulding:

It provides good application opportunity in mass production of moulds in various shapes, particularly carved moulds. Carved wood products can be manufactured with a particularly vivid appearance. The repeatability of moulding performance is very good; the moulding process is simple, time-saving, and efficient. Similarity to original wood products: The appearance and performance of moulded products provide wood aesthetics. Superior physical and mechanical properties: In addition to high strength and low density, it enables the production of products that can be cut with a saw or drilled with a drill. Furthermore, it is resistant to high moisture and pests. Wear resistance: In addition to excellent acid and alkali resistance, products with anti-corrosion performance can be produced. Ease of application: Due to light product manufacturing, it reduces load-carrying problems, provides ease of use, and does not require special tools during installation. Competitive cost: Compared to natural wood products, polyurethane systems provide decoration material production at significantly lower cost.

Green and environmentally conscious:

PU systems do not contain chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), which is harmful to the atmosphere, and in addition to being producible with environmentally friendly production technologies, they contribute to the protection of trees. Poliser, which has served the polyurethane sector since 2006, has pioneered many innovations in this sector and has carried out numerous project works supported by TÜBİTAK for introducing environmentally friendly technologies to the sector. As of 2016, Poliser was registered as an R&D Centre by the Ministry of Industry. By accelerating innovative and pioneering R&D work, it has presented wood-equivalent PU systems that differentiate itself through product properties and application advantages to the sector and added yet another nature-friendly technology to its portfolio. The working conditions and physical and mechanical properties of Creapol RW 2520-970, one of the latest systems introduced to the decoration sector, are presented in the table below. Although the production of wood-equivalent PU decoration products is not complex, the quality, durability, and colour of the product surfaces and the service life of the silicone moulds used are important; therefore, the use of appropriate PU systems and high-quality silicone moulds, as well as correct application, are important parameters. This new system developed by Poliser is non-foaming due to the polyol mixture not containing physical blowing agents and is specially designed for the production of wood-equivalent rigid polyurethane foams, in addition to meeting sector demands. With the PU system developed in Poliser laboratories, even very complex shapes and patterns, as shown in the visual examples above, can produce products with very high surface quality and without any air bubble problems. Furthermore, compared to equivalent products in the sector, a new system with superior mechanical properties has been introduced to the sector due to its performance in screw retention and impact resistance during the screwing process applied to the final product. In addition to these advantages, after complete curing, the final product exhibits superior heat resistance compared to competing products, that is, less expansion behaviour with temperature. Besides these superior properties mentioned, the good flow characteristics of the material during moulding ensure stable density in the product obtained, and superior products can be produced in terms of good compressive strength and dimensional stability. With Creapol RW 2520/970, which has many important advantages in terms of application and final product properties, Poliser has brought a new dimension to the decoration sector and will continue to develop nature-friendly technologies in the coming period, continuing to add value to our country and the world. Serpil Yılmaztürk Güney - R&D Manager - Poliser Oğuz Tükek - R&D Co-Director - Poliser