Individual industrial solutions with polyurethane elastomers
Definition of polyurethane elastomers
Polyurethane elastomers are versatile materials that are characterized by their excellent physical properties and their adaptability to a wide range of industrial requirements. Thanks to their unique structure, polyurethane elastomers from P+S offer an exceptional combination of elasticity, abrasion resistance and chemical
Consistency.
These properties make our materials the first choice for demanding technical applications in numerous industries. For over 50 years, P+S has been developing individual solutions based on polyurethane elastomers — with the aim of combining maximum performance, quality and sustainability.
Chemical structure of polyurethane elastomers
The chemical basis of polyurethane elastomers is the reaction of Isocyanates with polyols, supplemented by crosslinkers,
which stabilize the material in its final structure and functionalize it relevant to the application. Depending on the requirements,
produce a wide variety of polyurethane systems using this basic reaction.
Compact elastomers are characterized by their particularly high mechanical strength and wear resistance. you
are ideal for heavy-duty machine elements such as rollers, damping elements or technical moldings.
With a very wide range of formulations, P+S offers tailor-made material solutions that are precisely tailored to the technical and
are tailored to the economic requirements of customers — always based on the latest polyurethane-elastomer technology.
Differentiation of polyurethane elastomers manufactured by P+S from other elastomers on the market
Compared to other elastomers, in particular rubber grades, P+S polyurethane elastomers offer a wide range of
technical advantages. These include:
High abrasion resistance:
Polyurethane elastomers show significantly better wear properties than many standard types of rubber. This is particularly advantageous in abrasive applications such as conveyors or stripping systems.
Cellular and compact variants:
The variety of materials ranges from solid, wear-resistant designs to elastic foam structures, adjustable for desired energy absorption — and thus enables individual adaptation to a wide range of requirements.
Individual system development:
While standard elastomers are often only available in certain hardnesses and formulations, polyurethane elastomers allow customized design the material properties.
Technically superior to many rubber qualities:
Although rubber is generally cheaper to procure materials, our high-quality polyurethane elastomers impress with significantly longer lifespan, resilience and performance — especially in highly stressed areas.
Lower tool investment costs:
In contrast to injection molding processes — which involve high initial costs for tools — many polyurethane elastomer components can be produced efficiently using the casting process. This is particularly advantageous in small to medium batch sizes.
Excellent volume compressibility:
Especially in applications with high pressure loads, polyurethane elastomers offer reliable deformation without permanent material damage.
Minimal lateral expansion for foam types:
This property ensures precise transfer of force without unwanted expansion — ideal for precise technical solutions, tight installation spaces and space-saving structures.
Higher Shore hardnesses can be achieved:
While many elastomers have a limited range of hardness, polyurethane elastomers can have hardnesses of up to 60-64 Shore D achieve — a characteristic that is particularly sought after in mechanical engineering.
Polyurethane elastomer production and manufacturing processes
The production of polyurethane elastomers is a precise and controllable process that has a high level of material expertise
and requires technical expertise. At P+S, we rely on flexible low-pressure casting systems And on to the tried and tested
Hot casting process for producing compact and microcellular polyurethane elastomers.
In contrast to classic injection molding processes — which are used for thermoplastic polymers — our
Proceedings on the Reaction of liquid raw material componentsthat react under controlled conditions. Through the exact
Controlling temperature, mixing ratio and demolding time, we achieve high-quality, homogeneously reacted molded parts with
reproducible quality.
Raw materials and components
The selection of raw materials plays a central role in the performance of the subsequent component. For the production of our
We work with polyurethane elastomers with a variety of high-quality components that allow targeted adjustment of
Material properties enable:
- Isocyanates How to form NDI (naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate), TDI (toluene diisocyanate) and MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate)
together with the polyols, the backbone of polyurethanes. These substances react with polyols to form long-lasting, elastic
structures. - polyols: Depending on the area of application, we use polyester, polyether or polycarbonate polyols. These influence
Properties such as hydrolysis resistance, recovery behavior and media resistance. Within these groups are
numerous types of polyols with different chain lengths and functionalities are available. - Networker: Various chemical crosslinkers are used to specifically control crosslinking density —
either on a petrochemical or bio-based basis. - additives: By adding specific additives, polyurethane elastomers can be further individualized:
- colorway
- antistatic agents
- anti-microbiotics
- Hydrolysis protection
- Glide enhancer
This modular selection of raw materials makes it possible to create a tailor-made property profile for every application — economically and sustainably at the same time.
Polymerization processes
At the core of material production is polyaddition: A chemical reaction in which the isocyanates and polyols are added
from crosslinkers, additives and, if appropriate, propellants react to form a solid, elastic plastic. The exact control of this
Reaction is essential for the reproducibility of product properties.
Polyurethane elastomer injection molding techniques
P+S does not process polyurethane elastomers by injection molding. Our focus is on low-pressure casting and hot-casting processes, which can be used to produce significantly more individual molded parts and higher material properties — even in small series and special formats.
Polyurethane elastomers in the transportation industry
Polyurethane elastomers meet high load capacity and durability requirements in the transportation industry. The P+S materials offer tailor-made solutions for transport applications that enable efficient power transmission and vibration damping.
Transport crowds &
move
Vulkollan® and Diepothan® are ideal for transport rollers and drive components. They offer high abrasion protection and excellent grip, making them perfect for continuous shift work. Their elasticity and hardness guarantee stable strength under changing conditions.
Isolate & decouple vibrations
Vulkocell® and Diepolast® are ideal for vibration and body sound insulation. They offer precise damping characteristics and are compressible, ideal for compact structures and mobile devices, adapted for maximum efficiency in the installation space.
Dampen masses & absorb energy
Diepocell® is the right choice for applications that need to absorb energy. It offers robust buffer elements and is volume-compressible to adapt to installation space and load profile, and is also suitable for global operating conditions.
Polyurethane elastomers in the engineering industry
Polyurethane elastomers are in demand in mechanical engineering due to their adaptability and robustness. They withstand high temperatures and aggressive environmental influences. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, from seals to high-volume dampers.
Seal sensitive areas
Vulkollan® and Vulkocell® provide durable sealing solutions for dynamic applications. Their self-lubricating capacity and load capacity make them ideal for changing pressure conditions and compact designs.
Wipe off materials and media
Vulkollan® and Diepothan® are perfect for scrapers and scrapers. Their elasticity and wear resistance ensure clean processes in industrial environments, from food processing to metal processing.
Spring masses & store energy
Vulkocell® and Diepothan® offer customizable spring elements for mechanical systems that reduce vibrations and store energy. They save space and are individually adaptable, ideal for complex designs.
Polyurethane elastomers in agricultural industry
Technical components made of polyurethane elastomers are particularly popular in the manufacture of agricultural vehicles and machinery, as they are extremely robust and chemically resistant. They are resistant to moisture and microbes and can withstand the harshest conditions.
Dampen masses & absorb energy
Diepocell® is ideal for damping large masses - this can be used very profitably, especially in the manufacture of agricultural machinery and equipment. It provides energy-absorbing elements that function reliably even in harsh conditions and extend the life of the equipment.
Spring masses & store energy
Vulkocell® and Diepothan® offer durable spring elements for agricultural technology. They are adaptable in terms of hardness and geometry, ideal for changing environmental conditions and compact designs.
Sustainability and environmental aspects
Sustainability is not a trend, but part of our responsibility — even in the production of high-performance polyurethane elastomers. Our solutions not only impress with their technical performance, but also with a resource-saving and future-oriented development approach. The high robustness and long lifespan of our polyurethane elastomers ensure sustainable use in a wide range of applications. Where possible, we use bio-based raw materials and only use REACH and RoHS compliant components and coatings. In addition, a large proportion of the energy used for production comes from alternative sources. Ours EcoVadis certification confirms our commitment to transparency, responsibility and sustainability along the entire value chain.
recycling options
The recycling of polyurethane elastomers is only technically possible to a limited extent. Nevertheless, we are constantly working on innovative solutions to extend the life cycle of our materials. One example of this is Upcycling foam waste, which are reused in other industrial systems. The vast majority of retired elastomers are currently used as a energy recovery supplied — a process in which thermal energy can be recovered and used efficiently.
Energy efficiency in production
The production of polyurethane elastomers is associated with a high energy requirement, as high temperatures are required during processing. Nevertheless, we are able to make our use of energy more and more efficient. With heat exchangers throughout the production process valuable process heat is recovered. At the same time, we cover a large part of our electricity consumption alternatively produced energy. Even the complete conversion to LED technology The lighting of our production facilities contributes to increasing energy efficiency.
conclusion
polyurethane elastomers offer an exceptional combination of resilience, versatility and efficiency — over many years in the transport industry, mechanical engineering and agricultural technology. Their high abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and dimensional stability make them the ideal solution for numerous industrial applications. At the same time, we place great value on sustainable raw materials, energy-efficient processes and innovative recycling approaches — all in line with a responsible future design.
Are you looking for a durable, adaptable and sustainable material for your application? Then rely on our expertise in P+S polyurethane elastomers.
Contact us — we will be happy to provide you with individual and solution-oriented advice.