Preface

Polyurethane [PU] is a class of polymers built up of carabamate linkages, which provide special characteristics to the material. It is the outcome of pioneering research work of Otto Bayer and his coworkers in 1937 at I.G. Farben laboratories, in Leverkusen, Germany. Initial PU consisted of foams and fibres, while today, innovations and researches in the past decades have brought colossal changes in the world of PU. Attention is focussed on green PU such as from non-isocyanate technologies, from biobased polyols and isocyanates, PU hybrids, PU composites and so on. PU find versatile applications as foams, adhesive, surface coatings, and sealants, to name a few. The enchanting and worthy world of PU beckoned us to bring forth the book titled "Polyurethane". The book is divided into three sections: structures, properties and characterization of PU, applications of PU and a separate section on Biobased PU, covering the research and development in these areas. Each contributed chapter handles new and interesting topics introducing the reader to the wider known and unknown applications of PU such as PU for medical, urological stenting practice, carriers of antituberculosis drugs, orthopaedic, fuel binder, extraction of metals, grouting technologies, crashworthiness, isolation for covered conductor, treatment of industry wastewater, cast elastomers, alkanolamide PU coatings and foams, and others. The book aims to cater a larger audience comprising of readers from polymer chemistry, materials chemistry, and industrial chemistry.

It is an immense pleasure to see the book "Polyurethane" in its final shape; the credit goes together to the authors, contributors, and the technical staff of InTech Open Access Publisher, particularly, to Mrs. Marija Radja and Mr. Vedran Greblo, Editor Relations Consultants, the funding agency Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India for Senior Research Associateship (Under Scientists' Pool Scheme, CSIR). Without their help and dedication, it would be impossible to have this book published so efficiently. Time has come to thank them all.

> **Eram Sharmin and Fahmina Zafar, Ph.D.**  Senior Research Associates, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, A Central University, New Delhi, India

**Section 1** 

**Introduction** 

**Section 1** 
