Polyurethane Abrasion Resistance

One of the top four reasons urethane is requested in industrial applications is due to its abrasion resistant properties. By definition, this means the ability of a material to withstand mechanical action such as rubbing, scraping or erosion that progressively tends to remove material from its surface.

When severe wear is a concern, polyurethane often outperforms rubber, plastics and metals. In many applications, this abrasion resistance allows users to fabricate polyurethane products with less material than other elastomers would require. Other benefits include lighter weight, longer life and reduced maintenance and replacement costs.

What Are The Types Of Abrasion

There are two types of abrasion - sliding and impingement. Sliding abrasion refers to scraping and rubbing, while impingement abrasion refers to particles or objects striking the urethane surface at a high angle. Applications for impingement would be chutes or rebound plates, while sliding would be a sandblast curtain and wheels. Most wear of parts in actual service occurs as a combination of both sliding and impingement.

What Are The Best Formulations For Abrasion Resistance

Our standard polyurethane formulations hold up to the abrasion resistance needed to give your average part optimal life. However, when your application is more aggressive, we offer some specialty formulations that will increase the life and productivity of your part. Regardless of durometer(hardness), they fall into two main categories:

Polyester Urethane Formulations have a higher capacity for sliding abrasion resistance, which makes it ideal for applications like scraper blades and chute liners. Esters work best for angled abrasion applications, such as an abrasive slurry traveling down the chute.
Polyether Urethane Formulations offer excellent impingement abrasion resistance, which makes it the choice for sandblast curtains and bumpers. Ethers have a higher rebound and that is especially important when the part takes an impact head on.

Polyurethanes are an elastomer which makes them ideal for abrasive applications because they yield easily and distribute stresses imposed on them. It is important to note that not just any elastomer can be used successfully. Used under the same conditions, a higher durometer could wear out faster than a softer elastomer. The angle of the particle impingement has a significant effect on which material should be used.

Custom Abrasion Resistant Technical Spec's

Typical Properties Of Compound Formulas

Durometer (ASTM D2240)	Tuff 80A	Tuff-Tex 83A	90A Ester
Tensile Modulus (PSI)
100% Elongation	581	900	1100
200% Elongation	724
300% Elongation	969	1970	2200
Tensile Strength (PSI) (ASTM D412)	5271	6300	7300
Elongation At Break (%) (ASTM D412)	556	500	530
Tear Resistance (lb./in.)
Die C (ASTM D624)	538	550	630
Split (ASTM D470)	90	75	155
Trouser (ASTM D1938)		140
Compression Set (%) (ASTM D395B)	16	35	32
Rebound (%) (ASTM D2632)	22	40	28

**Please note that our Tuff-Tex formulation is also an FDA Dry approved material.

Test Methods

Laboratory abrasion tests are difficult to correlate with end-use applications. Measurement of properties can be helpful, however they do not compare to rates in actual service which can be thousands of times greater due to speed and temperature.

There are at least 25 laboratory abrasion test devices, which explains why it is difficult to correlate with service performance. The most widely recognized test device in the industry is the National Bureau of Standards Abrader, a sliding type abrader. It is important to keep in mind that this test does not tell you how a formula will perform under varying conditions, cut resistance or chunking out.

Let our technical sales staff assist you with choosing the best formulation for your needs. Although it may be necessary to test a couple of durometers to get optimal results, providing us with as much information as possible will ensure success.