Polyurethane - Features and Benefits

Tough Solutions for a Demanding World

Outstanding Physical Properties

Polyurethane bridges the gap between rubber and plastic on the hardness scale. It can be produced in hardness ranging from 20 Shore A to 85 Shore D allowing it to be utilized for many different applications.

Polyurethane has excellent abrasion resistance and has out performed ordinary rubber and plastic sometimes by a factor of as much as 8 to 1. For applications in which wear is a problem, substituting existing parts with one made out of polyurethane can reduce the frequency of replacement. This in turn means less down time and greater productivity.

Polyurethane has significantly better impact resistance than structural plastics. It has load-bearing capacity for compression comparable to cast steel which is greater than natural rubber. Polyurethane also has high tensile strength.

The customization of these physical properties can produce a product that is optimally suited to many different applications.


Excellent Environmental Properties

The physical properties of polyurethane are very resistant to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and aging. Studies have shown that, upon weathering at ambient conditions for 12-15 years, the tensile strength, elongation and hardness of polyurethane changed less than 10%.

Polyurethane has excellent long term stability in water and is resistant to swelling and deterioration in temperatures as high as 80ºC. It is also very resistant to mold, mildew and fungus growth, which make is it an excellent choice for applications in which there is exposure to a moist environment.

Polyurethane is resistant to oil and solvents and outperforms metal in chemical resistance. It is also resistant to radiation and is stable under high vacuum conditions.

These properties allow polyurethane to be used in some of the harshest of environments with minimal deterioration.


Other Features and Benefits

Polyurethane can be bonded to metal, wood or fabric giving these materials a protective layer and therefore extending the life of the substrate.

Polyurethane can be used to reduce noise levels in manufacturing facilities. By having machinery such as ductwork and feed chutes lined with polyurethane, clatter and banging will be reduced.

Polyurethane coatings and parts can be manufactured in a number of different colours. Colour can improve the esthetics of structures or equipment.

 

 

Elastochem Specialty Chemicals Inc.
37 Easton Road, Brantford, Ontario, Canada. N3P 1J4
Phone: 519.754.1678 Fax: 519.754.4487 Canada & USA: 1-877.PUR.CHEM

ISO 9001:2008 Registered

Copyright © 1999 - 2010 Elastochem Specialty Chemicals Inc. All rights reserved ELASTOCHEM© is a registered trademark of Elastochem Specialty Chemicals Inc.