Solvents

Polyurethane materials are polar substances, meaning they are affected only by polar solvents. These materials show good resistance to many organic solvents and chemicals. Crosslinked (cured) polyurethane foams cannot dissolve in solvents; they only swell in them. The primary reason for using solvents is to clean equipment used in polyurethane product manufacturing and to clean surfaces if materials are sprayed in the wrong place. Methylene chloride, being a polar solvent, is commonly used in the polyurethane industry.