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Technical Data

Shore Hardness Scale

Technical Data

Polyurethane is an extremely versatile elastomer used in countless applications worldwide. Polyurethane’s mechanical properties can be isolated and manipulated through creative chemistry which creates a number of unique opportunities to solve problems with performance characteristics unequaled in any other material. Our understanding of how to seize these opportunities allows Precision Urethane to provide “Flexible Solutions Through Polymeric Innovation.”

Polyurethane allows for the manufacture of very precise tailor-made parts that protect this kind of equipment. Adding polyurethane overlay to cone bits increases the lifespan of the cone bits. The lifespan of the steel cables is also increased because the urethane reduces steel on steel friction.  

Cast urethanes are compounded using one of two base urethane materials, ester urethane or ether urethane. Esters and ethers can be further broken down into two subcategories, TDI (toluene di-isocyanate) and MDI (methylene diphenyl di-isocyanate). TDI’s are typically cured with MOCA (MBOCA) while MDI’s are typically cured with TMP’s. Depending on what physical properties are required, other curatives can be used to offer peak performance of the final urethane component. The formulation can be manipulated to achieve the true physical properties required by the engineer for the desired part or roller. For example, other additives can be combined with the cast urethane formulations to enhance desirable characteristics such as improved or reduced coefficient of friction. A wide range of durometer can be accomplished from 20 Shore A to 70 Shore D as well as different tensile strengths, oil resistance, or compression sets depending upon the urethane formulation. 

Benefits of polyurethane include improved abrasion resistance, cut resistance, higher bond strength, and non-marking materials among many others. 

For polyurethane molded part applications, formulations can be made that will provide several advantages versus metal machined parts. These advantages include low cost repeatability, lighter weight, and often longer wear than metal.

Polyurethanes are one of the most versatile plastic materials, with extreme flexibility and durability. Formed through a chemical reaction, polyurethanes can be custom engineered to the needs of specific applications and adapted to address a wide variety of product challenges. Many products could be improved by the use of polyurethane over another material, such as plastic or rubber. 

  • Polyurethane has better abrasion and tear resistance than rubbers, and higher load bearing capacity.
  • Polyurethane has superior impact resistance, elastic memory, and excellent wear properties.
  • Very wide range of hardness and modulus to chose from.
  • Extremely durable and tough when compared to other engineered materials.
  • Excellent Impact, abrasion, cut, and tear resistance.
  • Typically out performs mild steel up to 10x in abrasive applications.
  • Typical out performs rubber compounds up to 4x in abrasive applications.
  • Superb resilience with exceptional elastomeric memory.
  • Will not chunk out like rubber.
  • Have very high load bearing capabilities.
  • Great materials for dampening sound and vibrations.
  • Excellent chemical resistance to solvents, petroleum products and other materials.
  • Wide working temperature range (–30 deg. C to 100+ deg. C depending on formulation).
  • Good temperature stability.
  • Good to Excellent UV and Hydrolytic stability depending on formulations.
  • Great electrical insulating properties.
  • Excellent Dynamic properties for severe flex fatigue applications.
  • Stretches up to 650% of its original length prior to failure.
  • Non-marking on nearly any surface.
  • Permanently bonds to metal, wood, cloth and other structural elements and substrates.
  • Nearly any shape or configuration imaginable is possible to manufacture.
  • A wide array of colors is available.
  • Dual durometer parts are easily made to gain different properties within one part.
  • Relatively low tension and compression set properties.
  • Lower tooling costs than other molding processes.
  • Economical for prototypes and low-volume production.
  • It is easy to see why urethanes are so popular.  If you have an application where one of these properties or benefits is crucial to your design please contact us and we will be happy to assist you in specifying the right polyurethane for your application.