Polyurethane comes in many varieties, including one-component, two-component, rigid, and elastic. However, the most important characteristic of polyurethane is its solvent resistance.

Acrylic acid comes in water-based, oil-based, and other varieties, but acrylic acid is primarily solvent-resistant.

I. Basic Concepts of Acrylic and Polyurethane

Acrylic acid is a monomer that generally has a strong, pungent odor. It exhibits excellent adhesion, light stability, weather resistance, and corrosion resistance, and is widely used in coatings, adhesives, inks, and classifiers.

Polyurethane is a polymer material made through the polymerization of monomers such as isocyanates and polyols. It possesses excellent physical and chemical properties and good processability, and is widely used in a wide range of applications, including construction, automotive, and aviation.

II. The Difference Between Acrylic and Polyurethane

1. Physical Properties

Acrylic acid is a liquid monomer with low density and surface tension, making it difficult to solidify and volatile.

Polyurethane, on the other hand, is a solid polymer with high density and hardness.

2. Chemical properties

Acrylic acid is highly reactive and easily self-polymerizes to form polyacrylic acid. Other functional groups also react easily with it, such as alcohols and amines.

Polyurethane is relatively more resistant to the influence of groups, and has improved hardness, strength, toughness, and reliability.

3. Application areas

Applications of acrylic acid:

(1) Preparation of polymers through homopolymerization or copolymerization, used in coatings, adhesives, solid resins, molded plastics, etc.

(2) Preparation of acrylic resins, rubber synthesis, coating preparation, and pharmaceutical industry.

(3) Warp yarn sizing

(4) Adhesives

Applications of polyurethane:

(1) Mainly used in construction, automobiles, aviation industry, and structural materials for thermal insulation.

(2) Mainly used in the shoemaking industry and medical industry.