Polyurethane Coatings, Binders and Adhesives Explained
A practical guide to the three polyurethane families Leeson formulates and manufactures, what each one is used for, and how specifiers choose the right system for a surfacing, bonding or waterproofing project.
What is a polyurethane system?
Polyurethane is formed when an isocyanate reacts with a polyol. By changing the ratio of those two components, the additives and the curing conditions, the same chemistry can produce a rigid insulation foam, a flexible membrane that stretches by several hundred percent, or a tough structural adhesive. That versatility is why polyurethane is used across construction, transport, sport and manufacturing rather than being tied to a single trade.
In practice a finished installation is never just the resin. It is a system: substrate preparation, primer, the polyurethane itself, the aggregate or facing material, and the cure window that the contractor can realistically work within. Leeson has formulated these systems in Warwick since 1986, supplying one and two component products to contractors, panel manufacturers and OEM production lines, and testing material combinations in house before they are recommended for a project.
Coatings, binders and adhesives
Each family solves a different problem, and the specification depends on the substrate and the duty the finished surface must survive.
Polyurethane Coatings
Liquid-applied coatings cure into a seamless, elastomeric membrane. They are specified where a surface must resist abrasion, weathering, chemicals or water ingress, and where joints and seams would otherwise be the first point of failure.
Resin bound stone carpet, high-friction anti-skid surfacing and waterproof membranes.
View productsPolyurethane Binders
Binders are the reactive resin that holds aggregate or rubber crumb together. Their tensile strength, elongation and cure speed decide how a wet pour, shock pad or running track performs under impact and footfall.
Rubber crumb binders, safety tile binders, shock pad binders and structural spray systems.
View productsPolyurethane Adhesives
Structural adhesives replace mechanical fixings and weld lines, spreading load across the whole joint. One and two component systems are matched to line speed, substrate and the temperature the finished panel will see in service.
Panel and insulation adhesives, vehicle panel bonding, wood lamination and general assembly.
View productsHow to choose the right polyurethane system
Four questions settle the majority of specifications. Answering them before a product is named avoids rework, because the primer, the grade and the installation method all follow from them.
- 01
Define the substrate — concrete, asphalt, timber, metal or composite each need a different primer and surface preparation.
- 02
Define the duty — traffic loading, impact, chemical contact and the service temperature range rule out unsuitable grades early.
- 03
Define the cure window — a two hour traffic-ready system suits night-time road works, while a slower binder suits machine-applied shock pads.
- 04
Define the compliance route — BBA certification, fire classification and safety surfacing standards are specified at design stage, not after installation.
Where a project falls outside the standard range, our technical team can formulate a bespoke system or run a UV and adhesion test on a customer's own aggregate, rubber or facing material. Product sheets, brochures and certificates for every system are available in the resource library.