What are Cast Elastomers?
A polymer becomes an elastomer when it possesses elastic characteristics, much like rubber. Polyurethane cast elastomers can be many things. They can be strong, stiff, flexible, tough, resilient, durable, long-lasting and viscoelastic. Polyurethane cast elastomer is a polymer chemical compound in liquid form created between an isocyanate and a polyol. PU polyurethane elastomers are a small but important part of the polyurethane polymer family.
PU polyurethane elastomers are formed by combining an isocyanate such as (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) MDI, or (toluene diisocyanate) TDI, and a polymeric polyol - by changing these and their ratio - the qualities of the polyurethane elastomers are exploited and formulated. Additives such as pigments, flame retardants and/or fillers can also be added to the formulation.
Advantages of Cast Elastomers
- Resistance to abrasion
- High tensile and tear strength
- Resistance to seawater and chemicals (oil, fuel, gas)
- High load-bearing capacity
- oxidation resistance
- transparency
- adhesiveness
- shape retention
- operating temperature (of the finished product) -60C° to 95C °
- wide hardness range
- strong adhesive
- flexible
- electric insulating properties
- noise dampening properties
Polyurethane elastomer is moulded via the reaction injection moulding (RIM) process.
The two liquid components, isocyanate and polyol, are mixed and the chemical reaction of the two, within a mould, cross-link to form an elastomeric solid material.
Also, elastomers are highly mouldable and stable allowing the production of large and/or detailed parts.
Neuthane™ elastomer moulded parts can be highly specified and cast to the most exacting of customer specifications.
