What are PU, CPU and TPU

Q: What are PU, CPU and TPU?

A: PU is the abbreviation of Polyurethane plastic material. PU is classified into thermosetting PU and thermoplastic PU because of its material structure characteristics and processing methods.

The thermosetting polyurethane PU compound can be solidified and formed only after cross-linking chemical reaction and heating. Because the molecular chain of this material forms a network structure after chemical cross-linking reaction, the molding processing time is long, and the products after molding can not be recycled. However, after the thermosetting polyurethane compound is formed, the physical properties of the material are excellent. In general, because the PU compound will be poured into the mold during the production process of thermosetting polyurethane PU material for heating and curing, the industry is also known as casting PU, or CPU for short.

Thermoplastic PU, referred to as TPU, is a linear structure of polymer solid rubber. This material becomes a molten PU rubber after physical heating and melting, that is, it can be molded, cooled and physically solidified into products by injection, extrusion and other processing and molding methods. Compared with CPU, TPU has the following material characteristics: short processing time, high molding efficiency, recyclable finished products, and environmental protection.

The following is a brief comparison between thermosetting polyurethane and thermoplastic polyurethane:

Polyurethane Polyurethane (PU)

Thermosetting polyurethane Thermosetting PU Thermoplastic PU

Chemical crosslinking reaction molding Physical heating/cooling molding

The molecular chain forms a network structure The molecular chain forms a linear structure

Suitable for pouring/pouring... and other processing methods Suitable for extrusion, injection, calendering, blow molding... and other processing methods

Advantages: excellent physical properties Advantages: high molding efficiency, recyclable reproduction

Casting PU is referred to as CPU Thermoplastic PU for short TPU

Disadvantages: long processing time, non-recyclable reproductionDisadvantages: poor physical properties compared with thermosetting