Have you ever been frustrated by the premature aging of equipment components? Are you searching for a material that can withstand high-intensity wear while offering exceptional impact absorption? The limitations of traditional rubber materials are driving the adoption of a high-performance alternative—polyurethane elastomers (also known as polyurethane rubber). Combining the elasticity of rubber with superior mechanical strength and durability, polyurethane elastomers are rapidly becoming the material of choice in industrial applications.

As a polymer material, the core advantage of polyurethane elastomers lies in their unique ability to merge high mechanical strength with rubber-like elasticity. This distinctive combination makes them exceptionally resistant to wear, tearing, and impact, while also providing excellent rebound properties. Consequently, polyurethane elastomers are widely used in industrial components such as rollers and wheels, as well as in automotive parts and sports equipment.

However, polyurethane elastomers are not without their drawbacks. Environmental factors such as UV exposure and high temperatures can degrade their performance. Therefore, in practical applications, it is crucial to carefully select the appropriate formulation and additives based on specific environmental conditions and performance requirements.

To better understand the advantages of polyurethane elastomers, we compare them with several common elastic materials, focusing on three key metrics: elongation at break, tensile strength, and impact absorption.

Elongation at break is a critical measure of a material's extensibility. Polyurethane elastomers typically exhibit elongation rates between 300% and 700%, meaning they can stretch several times their original length before breaking. More importantly, they maintain high elongation while delivering outstanding mechanical strength and wear resistance, making them ideal for applications requiring both elasticity and high stress tolerance.

In comparison, general-purpose rubbers like ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) offer similar elongation rates (300%–600%) but often fall short in tensile strength and impact absorption. Silicone rubber and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) also demonstrate high elongation, but polyurethane elastomers generally outperform them in weather resistance and hardness adjustability.

A newer material known as rubber-like resin (RLR) boasts even higher elongation rates (300%–1000%) and exceptional impact absorption, suggesting potential for broader applications. However, material selection must always consider environmental conditions, molding methods, and additional performance metrics such as weather resistance and hardness.