General Info
Polyurethane is a unique material that offers the elasticity of rubber combined with the toughness and durability of metal. Because urethane is available in a very broad hardness range (eraser-soft to bowling-ball-hard), it can replace rubber, plastic or metal while providing improved abrasion resistance and physical properties. Urethanes have better abrasion and tear resistance than rubbers, while offering higher load bearing capacity. When compared to plastics, urethanes offer superior impact resistance, while offering excellent wear properties and elastic memory. Urethanes have replaced metals in sleeve bearings, wear plates, sprockets, rollers and various other parts, with benefits such as weight reduction, noise abatement and improved wear resistance.
Polyurethane is available in polyester and polyether formulations. Depending on your application it is important to consider the strengths of these formulations. Polyester offers outstanding sliding abrasion resistance for bulk material handling applications like chute liners, while Polyether has excellent cutting abrasion resistance for applications like sandblast curtains. Polyether will perform better in wet applications due to its hydrolytic stability and has better low temperature performance. Polyester offers better overall chemical resistant than Polyether. Polyester offers higher tensile strength, better cut and tear resistance and is ideal for shock absorption and vibration dampening applications.
Important Note: Boedeker Plastics does not stock thermoset polyurethane shapes (sheets, rods, or tubes). All thermoset polyurethane shapes and parts are quoted on a custom basis and may be subject to longer lead times and minimum order quantities.
Machining Polyurethanes - Machining is challenging due to the elastic nature of the material. For more information on machining polyurethane download our polyurethane machining guidelines.
For complete Technical Information on Polyurethane - Download our Polyurethane Technical Guide
Download Hardness Scale & Mechanical Property Chart
Click For More Information on the Complete Line of Polyurethane Products
Key Properties
- Abrasion resistance - Polyurethanes often outwear other materials (rubber, plastics and metal) by many times in many applications when severe abrasion is a factor.
- Oil and solvent resistance - Polyurethane has excellent resistance to oils, solvents, fats, greases and gasoline.
- Load bearing capacity - Polyurethane has a higher load-bearing capacity than any conventional rubber. Because of this characteristic, it is an ideal material for load wheels, heavy duty couplings, metal-forming pads, shock pads, expansion joints and machine mounts
- Tear resistance - The tear-strengths of various Polyurethanes range from 100 to 1000 lbs./linear inch, which is far superior to rubbers. As a result, urethane is often used as drive belts, diaphragms, roll covers, cutting pads, gaskets and chute liners.
- Weather resistance - Polyurethane has outstanding resistance to oxygen, ozone, sunlight and general weather conditions.
- Noise abatement/reduction - Hard urethanes are now being used as gears in products where sound reduction is desired. The soft urethanes are used to replace rubbers for improved sound/vibration dampening.
- Flex-Life - Most formulations offer extremely high flex-life and can be expected to outlast other elastomer materials where this feature is an important requirement. Dust boots, bellows, diaphragms, belts, couplings and similar products are made from urethane for this reason.
Limitations
- Polyester Base not recommended below -40F
- Polyether Base not recommended below -100F
- Polyester Base will not perform as well as Polyether in Wet Applications
- Polyester Base is more chemical resistant than Polyether Base
Applications
- Belts
- Metal Forming Pads
- Wear Strips
- Bumpers
- Gears
- Bellows
- Machinery Mounts
- Cutting Surfaces
- Sound-Dampening Pads
- Chute & Hopper Liners
- Prototype Machined Parts
- Gaskets
- Seals
- Rollers
- Roller Covers
- Sandblast Curtains
- Diaphragms
Resin Trade Names
- MP300 Polyester Based
- MP600 Polyester Based
- MP750 Polyester Based
- MP850 Polyester Based
- MP900 Polyether Based
- MP950 Polyether Based
- MP160 Polyether Based
- MP175 Polyether Based
Manufacturer Trade Names
Boedeker Plastics, Inc. stocks & supplies plastic sheet, rod, tube, film and custom profiles and machine parts from these shapes that are produced from plastic resin. In many cases the manufacturer of the shape has their own product trade name. If your specification calls for a specific resin grade or manufacturer trade name, we can supply a shape made from that resin to meet your specification or suggest an equal. If you require a specific resin or brand it must be specified at the time of order.
Available Sizes
Important Note: Boedeker Plastics does not stock thermoset polyurethane shapes (sheets, rods, or tubes). All thermoset polyurethane shapes and parts are quoted on a custom basis and may be subject to longer lead times and minimum order quantities.
PRECISION-CAST SHEETS
Cast sheets are ideal for fabrication into a wide variety of products. Standard sheets are available in 12" square up to 48" square sheets in the following thicknesses: 1/32", 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4" and 2". Other sizes and thicknesses are available upon special order. Tolerances are: 1/32 to 3/16, +.010"; 1/4 to 3/8", +/-.015"; 1/2 to 1-1/4", +/-.025"; 1-1/2" and over, +/-3%.
FABRIC-BACKED SHEETS
Standard sheets are available integrally cast onto duck cloth (.048" thick), permitting easy cementing to metal or other surfaces. This composite converts effectively to large roll coverings or chute and bin liners. Bond strength between the fabric and the urethane is excellent, and there is no strikethrough to the exposed side of the fabric. Sheet is stocked in 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", and 9/16" overall thicknesses up to 48" square. Custom sizes and thicknesses are available upon special order.
BARS
Bar stock is popular for metal forming uses. The precise size eliminates the need for a matched female die. The material becomes the contact surface in forming, bending or shaping metal without scratching or marring the finished product. Bar stock is also used as press-brake pads, bumper pads, and wear strips, and is machined into a great variety of prototype parts. Standard sizes are available 48" long and in thicknesses of 1" square, 2" square and 2" x 3". Custom sizes are available.
RODS
Cast rods are used for guide, drive and pinch rollers and outwear conventional rubber rollers 20 to 1. They are excellent for bulge forming. Rod stock is used for prototype parts like gears, bearings and bushing, and is easily machined to close tolerances. Standard rods are 36" long and are available in diameters of 1/4", 3/8". 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4", 2", 2-1/4", 2-1/2", 2-3/4", 3", 3-1/4", 3-1/2", 3-3/4", 4", 4-1/4", 4-1/2",4-3/4", 5", 5-1/2" and 6". Custom sizes are available upon request.
TUBES
Cast tube stock makes excellent roll covers when press fitted over metal cores. They are also converted into gaskets, seals and rings. Tubes are well suited for prototype parts. Standard cast tubes are 36" long and are supplied in several diameters (custom sizes are available upon request): Inside Diameter 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 1-3/4", 2", 2-1/4", 2-1/2", 3" Outside Diameter 2" 2-1/4" 2-1/2", 2-3/4", 3", 3-1/4", 3-1/2", 3-3/4", 4"
Available Colors
- Amber
- Clear
- Black
- Multiple Colors
