Polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of repeating organic units joined by urethane linkages. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization by making a monomer containing at least two isocyanate functional groups to react with another monomer containing at least two hydroxyl (alcohol) groups. This article provides a detailed account of the protective coatings used in the building, infrastructure, and architectural markets. It focuses on the various types of polyurethane coatings used in these applications: moisture-cure and two-pack aromatic coatings as primers and topcoats, moisture-cure aromatic elastomeric high-build coatings, moisture-cure aliphatic topcoats, two-pack aliphatic polyurethane coatings as topcoats, and one- and two-pack polyurethane dispersion coatings as sealers and topcoats. It also includes a section on the health effects of isocyanates.

Polyaspartic coating technology has found utility in a variety of coating applications, including corrosion protection and flooring topcoats, as these coatings are based on aliphatic polyisocyanates and aliphatic diamines. This article describes the chemistry of polyaspartic esters and curing characteristics and performance properties of polyaspartic coatings. It also provides information on curing corrosion protection coating systems, polyaspartic floor coatings, and safe-use recommendations for handling isocyanates.

Two-component polyurea elastomeric coating/lining systems are the newest technology in the protective coating/lining industry and a wide variety of applications have been developed. These include coating/lining applications over concrete, geotextile membranes, various metals for corrosion and decorative areas, and some plastics. This article discusses the formulation basics of polyurea technology and compares the technology to that of polyurethane and polyurethane/polyurea systems. It addresses performance issues and describes application processing considerations and safety practices of polyurea coating/lining systems.

This article provides background information on the chemistry, coating properties, resin types, applications techniques, and performance characteristics of fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) resins. It describes the formulation methods of FEVE resins, namely, solvent-based coating formulations, water-based coating formulations, and powder coating formulations. The basic concerns to be addressed when formulating and using FEVE coatings are also discussed. The article concludes with a section on health and related safety regulations.

This article discusses the coating systems categorized by the generic type of binder or resin and grouped according to the curing or hardening mechanism inherent within that generic type. It focuses on the properties, advantages, and limitations of various autooxidative cross-linked resins, thermoplastic resins, and cross-linked thermosetting resins. The autooxidative cross-linked resins include alkyd resins and epoxy esters. The article examines the two types of coatings based on thermoplastic resins: those deposited by evaporation of a solvent, commonly called lacquers, and those deposited by evaporation of water, a class of coatings called water-borne coatings. The coatings that chemically cross link by copolymerization, including epoxies, unsaturated polyesters, urethanes, high-temperature curing silicones, and phenolic linings, are also described.

This article describes elastomeric coatings that are suitable for painting flexible plastic substrates. It focuses on coatings systems that find utility in automotive exterior applications, where the requirements of appearance and durability are most severe. The article discusses acrylic polyols, condensation polymers, vapor curing systems, water-based coatings, and coatings for thermoplastic olefins.