Choosing the right option for your industrial roller applications has always been a challenging decision as there are a lot of options out there. But let’s take a look at the performance of polyurethane and rubber and which would serve you best:

Similarities

• They both have elastic properties (elastomers)
• They are fairly resistant to acid
• Both adhere to metal cores
• They are both machinable

Differences

• Abrasion resistance: When the application requires increased load capacity and high friction, polyurethane surpasses natural rubber by far.

• Durometer: Polyurethane has a wider range (10 Shore “OO” to 70 Shore “D”) while rubber is limited to 30 Shore A to 90 Shore A.

• Marring of products: Rubber leaves marks when it comes in contact with other surfaces. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is non-marking – whether it has pigment added to it or not.

• Wet environments: If used in a wet environment, rubber can rot over time but polyurethane is durable even when submerged or exposed to wet environments for an extended period of time.

• Chemical composition: Fillers can be added to the rubber is to change its properties, but when it comes to urethane, the formulations are almost unlimited. This means engineers have more options based on the properties their application requires.

Although the above-listed properties do not begin to cover all the similarities and differences between both materials, it is enough to give you an idea of what’s best for your roller applications. No matter what your priority is, Plan Tech can produce high-quality polyurethane rollers that can stand up to and even exceed your particular specifications!