Time to think again about Polyurea

Polyurea technology is a type of elastomer that is being used worldwide as a superior coating system for waterproofing and corrosion protection. Applications transcend industries and include tank coatings and linings, waste water treatment and sewer linings and marine applications. Polyureas were first developed in the early 1980’s for automative fascia applications due to their high strength and impact resistance. The first sprayable polyureas hit the market in the late 1980’s as a plural component system. Some of the very first product formulations of polyurea were associated with high profile coating failures, which has resulted in some scepticism. One famous failure, the San Mateo Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been the subject of many articles. Key problems in this famous failure included improperly specified surface preparation, lack of product knowledge and inadequate application equipment. The Polyurea Development Association (PDA) was set up in 1999 followed by the PDA Europe to further the sustainable growth of the polyurea industry and establish standards for polyurea applications. With improvements in the application technology, acknowledgement of the product chemistry and an appreciation of the importance of correct application by trained specialists, is it now time to think again about polyurea technology?