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Polyurethane vs. Rubber: A Guide for Roll Coatings
Choosing the Right Material for Your Roll Coating
When it comes to roll coatings, you may ask several questions:
- Should we coat the roll, and if so, with what material?
- Should we choose rubber or polyurethane?
- What are the differences, and is it cost-effective to use one over the other?
- Alternatively, is it more economical to leave the rolls as bare metal?
Polyurethane and rubber are both versatile materials commonly used in various industrial applications. While both offer elasticity and durability, their unique properties make them suitable for different uses. Polyurethane is known for its exceptional wear resistance and flexibility, often outlasting rubber in high-stress environments. Its ability to withstand repeated stretching and compressive forces makes it ideal for tough industries, where longevity is crucial. Rubber is suitable for noise reduction but does not have the same capabilities of polyurethane.
Why Should You Choose Polyurethane Over Rubber?
- When the application requires increased load capacity and friction, polyurethane surpasses natural rubber by far.
- Polyurethane has a wider range (10 Shore “00” to 70 Shore “D”) while rubber is limited to 30 Shore A to 90 Shore A.
- Rubber leaves marks when it comes in contact with other surfaces. However, polyurethane is non-marking whether it has pigment added to it or not.
- If used in a wet environment, rubber can rot over time but polyurethane is durable even when submerged or exposed to wet environments for an extended period of time.
- Formulations are almost unlimited when it comes to polyurethane. Rubber on the other hand will change its properties meaning that engineers have more options based on the properties their application requires.
Although the listed properties above do not begin to cover all the differences and similarities between both materials, it is enough to give you a good idea of what’s best for your roller application. No matter what your priority is, Universal Urethane will produce the best high quality polyurethane rollers that can stand up to and even exceed your particular specifications.