In recent decades, polyurethane elastomers have been used in various applications in mining, oil and gas and other industries due to their wide range of excellent properties.
In general, there are two main and important types of polyurethane elastomers, which are called polyester and polyether. Both polyester and polyester elastomers have excellent properties including wear resistance, load bearing properties and many other useful properties such as tensile strength and tear resistance.
Properties of polyurethane elastomers
surface hardness
Polyurethane elastomer materials have a wide range of surface hardness from 10 Shore A, which is as soft as an eraser, to 85 Shore D, which is as hard as a golf ball.
abrasion resistance
In applications that are subject to heavy wear, polyurethane elastomers are extremely durable compared to rubber, plastic, or even metals.
Load bearing capacity
Polyurethane elastomers are capable of bearing more load than conventional elastomers with the same hardness.
mechanical properties
Polyurethane elastomers, when at their highest hardness, have a much better impact resistance than all plastics.
Low temperature properties
Many polyurethane elastomers are flexible at very low temperatures and have excellent thermal shock resistance.
Resistance to dry heat
While many polyurethane elastomers are only suitable for continuous operation up to 80°C, intermittent use up to 100°C is possible.
Resistance to oxygen and ozone
Parts made of polyurethane are highly resistant to destruction by atomic oxygen and ozone.
Resistance to oil, grease and chemical resistance
While many rubbers and plastics are resistant to a certain number of solvents, oils and chemicals, polyurethane elastomers are resistant to a wide range of these materials and, apart from strong acids, alkalis and some solvents. They are strong, resistant to other materials.
Resistance to mold and fungus
Polyurethane elastomers have a very good resistance against fungus and mold and prevent their growth.
Machinability
Polyurethane elastomers can be machined with normal turning equipment.
The ability to connect to other materials
Polyurethane elastomers have the ability to bond to most metals, wood, rubber and many plastics.
Tensile properties
Polyurethanes are known for their high elongation properties, tensile strength and high modulus.
Tear resistance
Polyurethanes have very good tear resistance.
Flexibility properties
The wide range of polyurethane material grades in flexibility has given us the ability to use these parts in applications with low return properties as well as in applications with fast return.
Resistance to cracking
Polyurethane elastomers have good resistance to cracking.
Electrical properties
Some polyurethanes have very good insulating properties.
Water resistance
Water absorption in polyurethane elastomer parts is very small and these parts have a very good resistance to water.
>Flame resistance
Many grades of polyurethane elastomers are non-flammable and with compounds they can be designed for self-extinguishing or non-flammable applications.
Resistance to sunlight
Polyurethane elastomers have the best resistance to gamma rays among all elastomers.
Friction characteristics
The friction of polyurethanes against non-lubricated surfaces decreases by increasing their surface hardness.
Noise reduction
Polyurethane parts have very little noise in their working environments.