Polyols are organic compounds that have at least two hydroxyl groups (-OH) in their structure. These hydroxyl groups give polyols the ability to react with isocyanates, resulting in the production of polyurethane. Polyurethanes are very versatile polymeric materials that have a wide range of applications in various industries.

Types of Polyols

Polyols can be divided into different groups based on their chemical structure, molecular weight, and application. Some of the important types of polyols are:

Polyether polyols: These types of polyols are produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide with water or a starting diol. Polyether polyols have a wide range of applications due to their high diversity in molecular weight and end groups.
Polyester polyols: These types of polyols are produced from the reaction between diols and diacids or diesters of acids. Polyester polyols usually have a higher viscosity than polyether polyols.
Specialty polyols: These types of polyols have special properties such as heat resistance, chemical resistance and specific mechanical properties.

Applications of polyols

As one of the main components in the production of polyurethanes, polyols play a very important role in various industries. Some of the most important applications of polyurethanes produced using polyols include:

Polyurethane foams: used in thermal and acoustic insulation, furniture, packaging and automotive industries
Polyurethane coatings: used in paint and coating, adhesive and sealant industries
Polyurethane elastomers: used in the production of car wheels, belts and industrial coatings
Polyurethane fibers: used in the production of synthetic and textile fibers

Advantages of using polyols

High diversity: Polyols are produced in different types with different properties, which allows you to choose the most suitable type of polyol for each application.
Good mechanical properties: Polyurethanes produced using polyols have very good mechanical properties such as strength, hardness and flexibility.
Good thermal and acoustic insulation: Polyurethanes produced using polyols are very good thermal and acoustic insulation.
Good chemical resistance: Polyurethanes produced using polyols are resistant to many chemicals.