Elastomers are rubber-like polymers that stretch much more than other types of materials and return to shape when the force is removed, similar to a spring. When distorted by external forces, elastomers resist flow like a viscous liquid, resisting motion much like a damper or dashpot.
The versatility of polyurethane cast elastomers provides the ability to achieve an optimum set of physical properties required for a specific application. This flexibility of properties allows urethane cast elastomers to be tailor-made for use in some of the most demanding industries and markets.
Cast polyurethanes are cost-effective and dependable elastomers that combine some of the performance advantages of high-tech plastics, metals and ceramics along with the resiliency and flexibility of rubber.
- Cast polyurethanes are known for their load-bearing capacity, impact strength, abrasion resistance, resilience and excellent resistance to oil and grease. Polyurethanes are often chosen where resistance to the effects of sliding, stretching, load-bearing, impacting, cutting and tearing, compression, torsional forces, and aging are involved.
- Cast polyurethanes are tough, elastic materials that can be depended upon to retain their original shape and properties for a long service life.
- Components manufactured using cast polyurethane can be found everywhere. They are prevalent in all phases of mining, agricultural equipment, material handling, as well as the oil and gas industry. Even in recreation, cast polyurethane is the leading product of choice for the manufacturing of roller skate wheels, golf ball covers, bowling balls, scuba fins and nearly any other item one could imagine.
- Polyurethane can be bonded to many substrates such as steel, aluminum, fiberglass and plastic.
- Polyurethane can be formulated to specific chemical and temperature resistance and can be molded in various durometer hardnesses.
- Unlike plastic, polyurethane is non-brittle, making it a good material choice that will not crack or break under impact or shock loading.
- Polyurethane can be formulated to be highly resilient, returning most of the energy imparted to the urethane back to the source or to be very dissipative, converting most of the impact energy into heat, raising the temperature of the urethane component.