The full name is polyurethane. A polymer compound. This was made by O. Bayer in 1937. Polyurethanes are available in two types, polyester and polyether. They can be made into polyurethane plastic (mainly foam), polyurethane fiber (known in China as spandex), urethane rubber and elastomer.

Soft polyurethane (PU) is mainly a thermoplastic linear structure, which has better stability, chemical resistance, resilience and mechanical properties than PVC foamed materials, and has smaller compression and deformation properties. Insulation, sound insulation, shock resistance and anti-virus performance. Therefore used as packaging, sound insulation, filter materials. The rigid PU plastic is light in weight, soundproof, superior in thermal insulation performance, chemical resistant, good in electrical properties, easy to process, and low in water absorption. It is mainly used in structural materials for construction, automotive, aerospace, and thermal insulation. The performance of polyurethane elastomer is between plastic and rubber. It is resistant to oil, abrasion, low temperature, aging, high hardness and elasticity. Mainly used in the footwear industry and the medical industry. Polyurethanes can also be used to make adhesives, paints, synthetic leathers, and the like.

Polyurethane appeared in the 1930s. After nearly 80 years of technological development, this material has been widely used in the home field, construction field, daily necessities, transportation, and home appliances.