Polyurethane elastomers behave like rubber and can be used for the same purposes.
However, Polyurethane has a number of advantages over rubber, although we cannot ignore their disadvantages as well.
Polyurethane has better load bearing capacity, which in contrasts to rubber makes it more suitable for dense structures like heavy duty wheels.
Polyurethanes are more resistant to cuts and depending on the ingredients and application, to abrasion as well than rubber.
Unlike rubber, polyurethane is resistant to dirt.
Polyurethanes do not contain any filler, so even coloured components leave no smudges on bright surfaces.
They are highly flexible and elastic. The shock absorption properties allow for the production of very small
springs with high load bearing capacity, useful in, for example, tools.
Resistance to fat and mineral oils makes polyurethane a perfect coating for rolls exposed to these substances,
used in sheet metal machining, while most rubbers tend to swell and get damaged quickly in contact with oil.
Polyurethane elastomers are much less prone to ageing than rubber and their friction wear rate is comparable to rubber.
Its properties make polyurethane a better solution in dry environments with normal ambient temperature.
However, some advantages of polyurethane can turn into disadvantages.
The lack of fillers causes problems with excessive heating, which can result in melting, especially in the case of fast-rotating wheels and rolls.
Also, the isolating properties may lead to unpleasant static charges, for instance in contact with plastic foil packaging.
Asma however, has electrostatic agents that can eliminate this effect.
Rubber is more resistant to acids and lye as well as hot water.
Price also matters- polyurethanes are made of expensive, high-quality materials and the process is time and labour-consuming.
