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Cast Polyurethane Springs
Highly Resilient & Reliable
Springs are simple, but beautifully complex when it comes to their versatility and usefulness. Steel alloys are the most commonly used spring materials, but steel is not appropriate for all spring applications.
PSI Urethanes manufactures polyurethane springs that are designed for special applications where steel wire springs are not well-suited, including applications in which corrosion, magnetism, and vibration are present.
Urethane springs are often preferred over their rubber and metal equivalents.
What Is the Function of a Spring?
The most basic definition for a spring is: a device that stores mechanical potential energy. When it is compressed or stretched, it exerts an opposing force that is relatively proportional to its change in length. Springs come in a variety of types and can serve a variety of purposes, with a single spring potentially serving more than one purpose. Common purposes include:
- Storing energy for part of a functioning cycle;
- Forcing a component to maintain contact with, engage with, or remain clear of another component;
- Counterbalancing a weight or thrust;
- Returning a component to its original position after displacement;
- Reducing shock or impact;
- Permitting freedom of movement between aligned components without disengaging them
Three Common Types of Springs
Die Springs
Compression Springs
A compression spring is a helical spring that offers resistance to a compressive force when applied axially. Urethane compression springs can be made in the shape of tubes, cylinders, rectangular pads, and sheets. These springs squeeze together to create a load, this can be found in suspensions.
Disc Springs
Disc springs (also called Belleville springs or washers) are conically-shaped and are designed to be axially loaded. On the outer periphery, they are supported by one force, and an opposing force at the center of the disc. Urethane disc springs can be used singly or in stacks to achieve the desired travel and load. Disc springs are unique in that they can generate high force even with a very small spring length, and with minimal movement when compressed.
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Advantages of Urethane Springs
As noted previously, urethane springs are ideal for environments wherein corrosion, vibration, and magnetism prevent the use of conventional steel springs. Where steel and rubber springs fail, urethane springs excel. They can typically maintain their effectiveness and withstand temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees F to 225 degrees F, in addition to offering the following advantages:
- Shock absorption
- Oil, solvent, and corrosion resistant
- Abrasion resistant
- Protection against galling/marring
- Long service life, but easy to replace
- High load-carrying capacity
- Non-magnetic
- Easily bonded to mating parts
Advantages of Urethane Springs
As noted previously, urethane springs are ideal for environments wherein corrosion, vibration, and magnetism prevent the use of conventional steel springs. Where steel and rubber springs fail, urethane springs excel. They can typically maintain their effectiveness and withstand temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees F to 225 degrees F, in addition to offering the following advantages:
- Shock absorption
- Oil, solvent, and corrosion resistant
- Abrasion resistant
- Protection against galling/marring
- Long service life, but easy to replace
- High load-carrying capacity
- Non-magnetic
- Easily bonded to mating parts
Applications of Urethane Springs
Custom Urethane Springs From PSI Urethanes
Industries Utilizing Urethane Springs
Many industries rely on urethane springs for their needs, including:
