polyurethane

American  

[pol-ee-yoor-uh-theyn, -yoo-reth-eyn] / ˌpɒl iˈjʊər əˌθeɪn, -jʊˈrɛθ eɪn /

Also polyurethan

noun

Chemistry.

polyurethanes plural

1. a thermoplastic polymer containing the group NHCOO: used for padding and insulation in furniture, clothing, and packaging, and in the manufacture of resins for adhesives, elastomers, and fillers.

---

polyurethane British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈjʊərəˌθæn, ˌpɒlɪˈjʊərəˌθeɪn /

noun

1. a class of synthetic materials made by copolymerizing an isocyanate and a polyhydric alcohol and commonly used as a foam ( polyurethane foam ) for insulation and packing, as fibres and hard inert coatings, and in a flexible form ( polyurethane rubber ) for diaphragms and seals

---

polyurethane Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-yr′ə-thān′ /

1. Any of various synthetic resins used to make tough resistant coatings, adhesives, foams, and electrical insulation.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• polyurethanes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of polyurethane

First recorded in 1940–45; poly- + urethane

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polyurethane polyurethanes

"Once ignited, polyurethane acoustic foam can exhibit rapid flame spread across its high-surface-area profile and produce dense, toxic smoke, significantly accelerating fire growth and reducing available escape time," said Dr Peter Wilkinson of Loughborough University.

From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2026

Waste containing asbestos is sealed into two layers of polyurethane bags and then into a plastic container with a lid, she said, while liquids such as bleach and motor oil are poured into drums.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2025

Sports Group has the Rekortan brand, which has a surface made from a polyurethane derived from canola and rapeseed oils.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2024

"The next step is to prepare electrothermal materials using polyurethane foam as the skeleton for oil adsorption, combining photothermal and electrothermal techniques to form an all-weather oil recovery system."

From Science Daily ● Apr. 23, 2024

In the decades since their first runs, the group has witnessed changes to the sport far beyond composite skis and polyurethane boots.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 20, 2024

The polyurethanes created here have new 'dynamic' chemical bonds, which means that despite their thermoset structure, they can be reshaped by exchanges of chemical bonds under relatively mild reaction conditions.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2023

They applied thermoplastic polyurethanes, an elastic plastic commonly found in phone and laptop cases, so the fingers could flex and squeeze objects.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 11, 2023

Higher gas prices are driving up costs for specialty chemical maker Huntsman Corp, which produces polyurethanes used to make electronics, building materials and furniture, Chief Executive Peter Huntsman told Reuters.

From Reuters ● May 16, 2022

“The breakdown of certain polyurethanes can release toxic additives, which need to be handled carefully. This research group has discovered a strain that can tackle some of these chemicals,” he said.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 27, 2020

Covestro, a maker of raw materials for adhesives, polyurethanes and other chemicals spun off from the pharmaceuticals giant Bayer AG in 2015, estimated 15% of its more than 1,000 Houston-area staff were hit by flooding.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2017