Urethane, or 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.
These days, many industrial applications are automated. It means that machines do the work that human workers once did, increasing efficiency and productivity. However, 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, chemical resistance, and superior performance in extreme environments. Pads, rollers, fixtures, coatings, covers, liners, gaskets, etc., are all industrial components made with Hapco materials.
Hapflex™ & 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 Urethanes
Hapco manufactures a range of semi-rigid urethane solutions tailored for industrial applications. These urethanes are ideally suited for manufacturing parts that must endure regular use and demanding conditions. They retain flexibility even in lower temperatures and exhibit strong resistance to organic solvents.
Due to their impressive impact resistance and durability under stress, semi-rigid urethanes are commonly utilized in creating high-wear liners for chutes and hoppers, robust covers for heavy machinery, and protective coatings for various equipment. This blend of resilience and versatility makes them a reliable choice for various industrial needs.
Urethane Elastomers
Also known as urethane rubber, these polymers exhibit both elastic and thermoplastic properties. They are made by reacting a polyisocyanate with a polyalcohol, typically a polyester or a polyether. Urethane elastomers are versatile materials with excellent physical and chemical properties. They can resist tearing, abrasion, and harsh weather conditions, making them popular for industrial applications such as seals, gaskets, and coatings.
Urethane elastomers are available in different hardnesses, ranging from soft gels to stiff rubbers, allowing various 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 Urethanes
Rigid urethane, liquid plastic, or thermoset plastic, as it is commonly known, is a strong and durable plastic 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 Urethanes
This material class is often used in industrial settings for its high durability and strength. Like urethane elastomer, semi-rigid urethane is available in various durometers and is commonly used for shock absorbing, vibration dampening, and noise reduction applications.
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