You will surely have happened, going to the supermarket checkout or to the doctor’s office for a visit, to come across chairs and stools with the seat and backrest made of a material, usually black, which does not have any type of covering. Well, that material will be the subject of this article. Let’s start immediately with the name: polyurethane.
Polyurethane is a resistant and versatile material, widely used in the seating production sector. It can be used to make accessory parts, entire components but also padding.
Obviously, this is not the only sector of use. We often find it also in the construction sector, where it is used as insulation. Let’s see, however, how it is used in the sector of our expertise.
The article will cover these points:
1. What type of material is polyurethane?
2. Expanded polyurethane for padding
3. Chairs and stools in integral polyurethane
1. What kind of material is polyurethane?
It is a plastic material that can take on various shapes and compositions. In fact, there are rigid or flexible polyurethanes.
Polyurethane is created by the union of two elements: isocyanate and polyol. These two components are brought into contact with each other and mixed using special equipment, and their composition is then modified based on the needs of use.
In this way we create an extremely resistant and long-lasting material, which also has anti-mold, hypoallergenic and anti-mite characteristics.
In our sector, we mainly use two types of polyurethane, cold-foamed polyurethane and integral polyurethane. These two different types of polyurethane are used to make padding to be upholstered or to create seats and backrests for chairs and stools.
2. Expanded polyurethane for padding
Expanded polyurethane or cold foam is often used for seats and backrests padding.
The choice to use expanded polyurethane padding for chairs is not a coincidence. In fact, the benefits of cold foam as padding in chairs and stools are many and we will now list them for you.
Why use expanded polyurethane padding for an office chair
The padding of office chairs, generally and historically, has always been made of sponge. It certainly offers a good experience of comfort but is less innovative and durable than the level offered by polyurethane.
In fact, the sponge tends to deform and wear out more easily over time. After a while, you find yourself practically sitting on the internal wood; this obviously results in a decrease in comfort and the possible appearance of physical pain, especially after several hours of use. Cold-foamed polyurethane, on the other hand, allows us to offer our customers more durable padding designed to promote ergonomics and the well-being of the person.
A polyurethane padding perfectly follows the contours and movements of the person during its use and is able to return to its original shape when the user gets up.
The expanded polyurethane is then covered with fabrics, leathers and imitation leathers, depending on the customer’s preferences.
3. Chairs and stools in integral polyurethane
However, the situation is different for chairs and stools where the polyurethane is not covered, but directly becomes the surface on which the user will rest. This type of polyurethane is called integral, it is a polyurethane mixed and combined to create a compound suitable for the production of backrests, seats and other components, such as headrests, lumbar supports or armrests.
Polyurethane chairs and work stools are often the perfect solution for industrial areas where a durable product is needed that is extremely resistant to the ‘’bad weather’’ typical of production areas. In fact, integral polyurethane, even if it comes into contact with chemical agents or dirt in general, does not get ruined and is very easy to clean.
This type of polyurethane is harder than cold-foamed polyurethane, but it is still more comfortable, elastic and resistant to stress than common polypropylene.
Polyurethane in our seats
Now that we have understood the importance of this material, let’s see where it is used in our seats.
Our most high-performance office chairs, such as the Dynamic model or the Juke model, to name a few, have polyurethane foam padding. Therefore, they offer a very high level of comfort and are perfect for working at a video terminal.
Speaking of integral polyurethane, there are many of our work stools in which the seat and backrest are made with it. Examples include our models 1900 or 1150. For an even more complete offer, we have also created the antistatic version, which enriches our very important Gref line.
If you were not familiar with this very important material, we hope to have shed some light on it and explained its advantages well.
If you still have any doubts about it or are interested in purchasing a seat, contact us through the request form. We will provide you with all the support you need to clarify and find the solution that best suits your needs.
Se non conoscevi questo importantissimo materiale, speriamo di aver fatto un po’ di chiarezza a riguardo e di avervi spiegato bene i suoi vantaggi.
Qualora doveste avere ancora qualche dubbio a riguardo oppure doveste essere interessati all’acquisto di una seduta, contattateci attraverso il form di richiesta. Vi forniremo tutto il supporto necessario per fare chiarezza e trovare la soluzione più adatta alle vostre necessità.