PU Background
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 allows the engineer to replace rubber, plastic and metal with the ultimate in abrasion resistance and physical properties. Polyurethane can reduce plant maintenance and OEM product cost. Many applications using this ultra-tough material have cut down-time, maintenance time and cost of parts to a fraction of the previous figures.
Urethanes have better abrasion and tear resistance than rubbers, while offering higher load bearing capacity.
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 wear improvements being realized.
ADVANTAGES TO POLYURETHANE
Abrasion resistant Parts made of polyurethane will often outwear other materials by a margin of 5 to 50/one when severe abrasion is a factor. It has been proven to be vastly superior to rubber plastics and metal in many applications. Oil and solvent resistant 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 resistant Tear-strength ranges between 500-100 Ibs./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 resistant Polyurethane has outstanding resistance to oxygen, ozone, sunlight and general weather conditions.
Excellent noise abatement properties The hard urethanes are now being used as gears in products where engineers desire sound reduction. 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.
Electrical properties Polyurethane has excellent electrical insulating properties and is used successfully in many moulded wire and cable harness assemblies.
Heat and cold resistant Continuous use above 225°F is not recommended nor is urethane recommended in hot water over 175°F. At low temperatures, polyurethane will remain flexible down to -90°F. A gradual stiffening will occur at 0°F, but will not become pronounced until much lower temperatures are obtained
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What are Ecco soles made out of?
Polyurethane. Polyurethane is one of the best materials used to produce soles on shoes. There are three reasons why Ecco uses Polyurethane. 1. It is one of the longest lasting sole composites that can be used in shoe making. 2. It has what is known as direct energy return. In essence the polyurethane absorbs the shock of taking a step and turns it into energy. Therefore causing a trampoline effect with the shoe. 3. Polyurethane always holds its shape.
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Don't take our word for it .....!
Shoes made with polyurethane are:
lightweight comfortable and ergonomic non-skid ergonomic fashionable in terms of shape and colour foot-friendly sturdy and abrasion-proof can be combined with leather, cork, wood, textiles or felt
as quoted by others Polyurethane in Footwear in Footwear
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