Urethane, also known as polyurethane, is a polymer commonly used in industrial applications. Its flexibility and durability make it ideal for manufacturing various industrial products such as conveyor belts, gaskets, industrial coatings, and adhesives. Urethane’s ability to resist wear and tear makes it suitable for industrial machinery.
Industrial applications involve the equipment and tools used in the manufacture of products. Unlike humans, industrial equipment rarely gets a break. Specific components must perform under high stress and repeated abuse in production machinery. It results in higher maintenance costs and downtime for repairs.
Common applications for industrial equipment
Some of the most common applications for industrial equipment include:
- Manufacturing assembly lines
- Conveyor systems
- Robotics
- Material handling
These days, many industrial applications are automated. It means that machines are doing the work that human workers once did, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity. But, industrial components need to withstand the demand of the work.
Many of Hapco’s urethane and epoxy formulations are well suited to these applications because of their durability, abrasion and chemical resistance, and superior performance in extreme environments. Pads, rollers, fixtures, coatings, covers, liners, gaskets, etc. are all industrial components made with Hapco materials.
Hapco Hapflex™ and Hapcast™
Hapco’s Hapflex™ and Hapcast™ are commonly used for making industrial fixtures. A fixture is a part-holding or support device used during assembly, painting, gluing, drilling, machining, bending, polishing, post-curing, etc. All fixtures are built to fit a particular part or shape, and their purpose varies depending on the application. When used to retain a part’s shape at elevated temperatures, the fixture is often just a duplicate half of the original mold. In this case, a material with a higher service temperature, like Hapcast, should be used.
Many fixtures have a more open design, allowing access to the part while keeping it stable simultaneously. The Hapflex™ 500 Series materials are flexible and grip very well, making them better suited to fixtures with few contact points to a part. This series is also widely used for gaskets, non-slip coatings, grips, dampening pads for shock and vibration absorption, and other applications requiring flexibility and durability.
The Hapflex™ 600 Series are semi-rigid, hybrid elastomers that can take a large amount of repeated use, making them a perfect choice for assembly fixtures, pulley wheel and roller coatings, stamping pads, covers, linings, and just about anything that takes a serious beating.
Semi-Rigid Urethane
Along with our flexible urethane and epoxy materials, Hapco also offers semi-rigid urethane options for industrial applications. These semi-rigid formulations are known for their impact-resistant properties and strength under pressure.
In fact, they have been used as high-wear liners in chutes and hoppers, covers for heavy machinery, and protective coatings on equipment. Additionally, semi-rigid urethane may be preferable in some cases because of its low-temperature flexibility and resistance to organic solvents. In short, semi-rigid urethane is a reliable choice for industrial components that must withstand repeated use and harsh conditions.
Urethane elastomer
Urethane elastomer, also known as urethane rubber, is a type of polymer that exhibits both elastic and thermoplastic properties. They are made by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyalcohol, typically a polyester or a polyether. Urethane elastomers area versatile material with excellent physical and chemical properties. It can resist tearing, abrasion, and harsh weather conditions, making it a popular choice for industrial applications such as seals, gaskets, and coatings.
Urethane elastomer is available in different hardnesses, ranging from a soft gel to a stiff rubber, allowing for a wide range of uses in the automotive, construction, medical, and electronics industries. In addition to their durability, urethane elastomers have a low compression set and good resistance to chemicals and oils.
Rigid urethane
Rigid urethane, also known as thermoset plastic, is a strong and durable material often used in construction and manufacturing. It has a high impact strength, meaning it can withstand force without breaking or cracking. Its rigid structure gives it an excellent load-bearing capacity, making it a suitable choice for structural support.
High impact semi-rigid urethane
High impact semi-rigid urethane is a material often used in industrial settings for its high durability and strength. Like urethane elastomer, semi-rigid urethane is available in a range of durometers and is commonly used for shock absorbing, vibration dampening, and noise reduction applications.
Durable. Flexible. Resistant to Wear and Tear.
These are just a few properties that make Hapco products ideal for industrial applications. Our materials are rigid and can withstand even the most demanding conditions.
Contact us and request a quote today.
