Urethane Properties & Characteristics

The information below is for general reference only. Please contact our sales department to discuss the best compound and hardness for your product.

Urethane / Polyurethane

Urethane can be processed in hardness' from very soft to as hard as 85D (harder than a bowling ball). The materials can be compounded to perform in temperatures from -90°F to in excess of 200°F. Urethanes offer good electrical properties and excellent abrasion resistance, high load-bearing capacity, high tear strength, oil, solvent and weather resistance. 

When considering the proper material for your new project, we need to consider the proper hardness, whether the project requires abrasion resistance or not, the operating environment (which includes minimum and maximum temperature, exposure to oils and/or chemicals, weather, UV, etc.). We can also compound materials to meet FDA requirements. Materials can be compounded for noise reduction, high or low rebound, elasticity, and high or low surface friction.

Hardness

Urethane can be compounded in a very wide range of hardness' from 10A durometer to 85D+

 

Versatile Designs 

Materials can be used alone or bonded/molded to metal or plastic inserts.

 

Abrasion Resistant 

Polyurethanes often outperform rubber, plastic or metals in many severe wear applications.

 

Impact Resistant 

With even the hardest urethanes, you can achieve significantly better impact resistance than plastics and composites.

 

High Load-Bearing Capacity 

Urethanes have a greater load-bearing capacity compared to other elastomers of equal hardness.

 

Chemical Resistance & Corrosion Resistant

Urethanes offer excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals, oils and greases.

 

Machining 

Harder urethane compounds can be drilled, tapped and machined like metal.

 

High-Flex 

Urethanes allow for long-life parts under repeated flexing.

 

Low Temperature Environments 

Urethane maintains flexibility in low-temperature environments.

 

High or Low Friction Formulations 

The co-efficient of friction can be changed by modifying the formulations. Dry friction is low in harder materials and high in softer materials. Harder materials work well as slides. Softer materials are ideal for feed or drive rollers and wheels.

 

Noise Abatement 

Polyurethanes make excellent sound-deadening and anti-vibration materials.

 

Inserts 

Polyurethanes can be bonded to a wide variety of materials including steel, aluminum and most plastics.

 

Colors 

Almost any color is possible.

 

Weight 

Polyurethanes can be used to reduce a part's weight by up to 50%.