Polyurethane elastomers are versatile engineering materials. They are synthetic rubber polymers produced by the polymerization of a hydroxyl (OH) radical and an NCO group from two different compounds. Some examples of NCO groups are:
- Toluene Di-Isocyanate (TDI)
- Diphenyl Methane Di-Isocyanate (MDI)
- P-Phenylene Di-Isocyanate (PPDI)
Fenner Precisions' chemists can custom formulate an elastomer solution for a customer's unique application. Liquid cast polyurethanes offer a broad range of properties including:
- MDI-Ester - Abrasion resistance with high cut and tear properties. This material is FDA approved.
- TDI-Ester - Solvent resistance and abrasion resistance.
- MDI-Ethers - High resilience, better impingement type abrasive resistance, hydrolysis (water) resistance, with excellent low-temperature properties.
- PPDI - Ester/Ether - Premium-grade material with exceptional properties.
In addition, Fenner Precision's Winthane polyurethane products offer:
Abrasion Resistance
Winthane wear resistant liquid cast polyurethane often outwears rubber, plastics and even metals in severe applications. The savings in replacement parts, labor and equipment downtime can far exceed the cost of a Winthane part for your application. Whether your component suffers from scuffing, sliding, or particle impingement abrasion, our chemists can optimize our materials for either type of abrasion.
High Load-Bearing Capacity
Winthane can be custom formulated to resist deformation under high pressure with low creep and compression set properties.
Chemical Resistance
Winthane compounds have excellent resistance to most aliphatic-based oils and solvents, as well as animal and vegetable oils and fats.
Hydrolytic Stability
Polyether-based Winthane polyurethane has superior hydrolytic stability. They absorb practically no water (barely 0.3% to 1% by weight) and are suitable for applications requiring immersion.
Bondability
Winthane cast polyurethane bonds readily to metal or virtually any other material, whether rigid or flexible. Cast bonding systems can be designed to produce bonds that are often stronger than the polyurethane itself.
Tear Resistance
Winthane polyurethane can approach 1200 lbs per linear inch (Die C Tear). This unusually high value accounts for its widespread use on drives, pinch rolls, belts, liners, seals, bumper and load pads.
Highly Resistant to Impact
While conventional plastics materials can become brittle as they become harder, Winthane retains elasticity and strength over the complete range of hardness.
Wide Hardness Range
Your part may be compounded in any hardness range from 10 Shore A (similar to a gum eraser) to 75 Shore D (similar to nylon).
Controlled Resilience
Unlike conventional rubber, Winthane does not have to be softened to make it resilient. Winthane can be custom formulated to give hard polyurethanes similar resiliency as much softer materials, making Winthane an excellent material for shock/vibration absorption.
Sunlight, Ozone, Weather Resistance
Winthane is substantially inert in the presence of ozone and oxygen. It is more resistant than natural and synthetic rubber to sunlight and weather.
Friction Coefficients
Winthane polyurethane can be formulated to offer various coefficients of friction that will remain permanently in your compound. This is usually not possible with other eleastomers which may continue to cure, harden, or soften over their usual life, with resultant change in the coefficient of friction.
Temperature Resistance
Winthane polyurethane can be formulated to operate at -38°C (-40°F) and retain most of its elastomeric properties. Others will operate dependably at 121°C (250°F) and intermittently at 149°C (300°F). While polyurethanes are not recommended for high-temperature applications, the limiting temperature depends on the service the part is to perform.
Electrical Properties
Winthane polyurethane is an excellent insulating material. Depending upon the formulation, its volume resistivity is in the range of 1010 to 1011 ohm-cm. With proprietary additives that were developed at Winfield Industries, Winthane urethanes can be also formulated to be electrically conductive. Winthane urethanes are found in many anti-static applications such as film transport rollers, copier transfer rollers and charger rollers.
