What are Polyurethane rods?
PU rods are cylindrical rods of polyurethane, which can be used in the manufacturing of a variety of products, with a vast number of potential applications. PU rods are often used as an alternative to rubber, which disintegrates faster, and permanently deforms sooner than PU, and would need to be replaced. These rods are often custom made to purpose, and can be hollow or cut to make them even more versatile.
Benefits of Polyurethane rods
Polyurethane rods have several advantages due their long flexible polymer molecules, which make the material incredibly versatile.
Some of the Key commercial benefits of PU rods are:
Abrasion resistance
Outstanding low-temperature performance
High shear strength
High elasticity
High resistance to sunlight and weather conditions
Applications of Polyurethane rods
It is no surprise that these benefits make PU rods useful for a wide range of applications. Here are some of the different ways PU rods can be used in various industries:
1. Automotive Industry
Polyurethane rods are often fixed to the suspension or steering of a vehicle to minimise road bumps. When these suspension bushings wear, they allow more movement in the car, such as poor handling, loose steering, or clunking or rattling noises on loose roads.
PU rods are also used for wheels and casters and wheels, (casters are the brackets around a wheel, often seen on office chairs). Their high load bearing capacity means that they can withstand force better than their rubber counterparts, and their abrasion resistance means that the risk of a scratch or tear is minimised.
With Polyurethane’s vibration absorption qualities it’s no surprise that polyurethane rods also make excellent shock absorbers and noise dampers. Due to their versatility and adaptable durometer (range of hardness), they can be used for anything from keeping out the noise of the road to bumper pad applications.
2. Leisure & Hospitality Industry
Polyurethane rods are often used as supports on Roller coasters, due their high impact resistance, especially if the frames are wooden. The strength of the PU rods reinforce the rollercoaster’s strength and allow them to withstand a higher impact range and force. PU rods are often used in the leisure industry for escalator wheels, due to their excellent resistance against wear and their load bearing qualities.
3. Agriculture
Unsurprisingly, PU rods can be used for wear strips on ploughs. The abrasion resistance, resistance against corrosion and wear, as well as their ability to withstand high impact loads, make them perfect for this purpose.
