OGL Oil and Gas Extraction 101

Durability and Flexibility
Urethane is a more durable and flexible product than any plastic. While plastics do last a long
time, products made of plastic will wear out before a urethane product does. They are also
more likely to break, abrade, or deteriorate before urethanes will.
One of the most unique aspects of urethane is the material’s elastomeric ability. This means
that urethanes can be stretched or extended significantly. And when released, they will return
to their present size. Plastics cannot do this. In fact, if you attempt to stretch or extend a plastic
piece, it will remain stretched, or it will break.
Abrasion Resistance
Another impressive quality of urethane is the material’s resistance to abrasion. Urethane wheels
and rollers will last significantly longer than the same parts made of plastic. Manufacturers
who use urethane parts in their machines are satisfied with the lifespan of the urethane parts
because they do not break down when friction breaks down other materials.
Cost Similarities
Making parts from plastic or urethane have relatively similar costs. But, what cost less is making
the casts for urethane products. Most of the casts are made out of silicon, which is inexpensive.
However, plastic injection molding is not expensive, but the parts made this way do not last as
long as urethane ones do. So, in the long run, urethane parts are more cost-effective simply
because they have a longer lifespan than their plastic counterparts.
Load Bearing
Urethanes have incredible load-bearing performances. Plastics tend to break when they are
pushed to their limits, but urethanes often surprise engineers with home much they can tolerate.
Their elastomer quality gives them better shock absorption when impacts reach higher levels.
Temperature and Friction
When urethane is put under the stress of heat and friction, it continues to perform. Of course,
like all products, there are temperature limits. One of those is the low-temperature threshold,
and urethanes will continue to respond in temperatures that reach -60°F and more.
Sound and Noise
Urethanes are frequently used to dampen noise. For example, polyurethane foam is often
injected into car doors to reduce road noise. While plastic isn’t necessarily a noisy material,
urethanes are generally quiet because they absorb noise. Plastic can be noisy, especially
crinkly bags and rigid toys made from the material.
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