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Polyurethane Roller: Types, Advantages and Properties

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Introduction

This article gives detailed insights into polyurethane rollers. Read further to learn more about:

  • What is a Polyurethane Roller?
  • Advantages of Polyurethane Rollers
  • The Polyurethane Polymer System
  • Properties of Polyurethane
  • And much more...
Polyurethane Wheels and Rollers

Chapter 1: Understanding Polyurethane Rollers

Polyurethane rollers are cylindrical components enveloped with polyurethane, an elastomer renowned for its durability. The inner core of these rollers, based on their usage, might be vulnerable to scratches, corrosion, dents, and other types of harm. However, the polyurethane coating offers inherent qualities that safeguard the inner core, notably abrasion resilience and impact durability. These rollers find extensive application across numerous manufacturing sectors, executing tasks such as:

  • Printing
  • Material Transport
  • Squeezing
  • Pressing
  • Laminating
  • Feeding
  • Spreading
  • Coating
  • Grain Milling
Pipe Handling Roller

Among elastomer materials, polyurethane stands out as the most prevalently employed for roller applications. By combining various types and ratios of additive compounds, diverse mechanical attributes are achievable to match distinct needs. Polyurethane's most sought-after qualities include exceptional toughness, high resistance to impacts, effective shock absorption, and great fatigue resistance.

Polyurethane Conveyor Rollers

Polyurethane formulations enable the production of rollers that vary from hard and sturdy to soft and flexible. These rollers are manufactured in a range of hardness levels, tailored to the specific demands of the application. Known for its strength and ability to absorb shocks, polyurethane is among the top choices for roller composition. Furthermore, it is an elastomer that can be thermoformed into an extensive array of shapes.

Chapter 2: What are the advantages of polyurethane rollers?

Polyurethane rollers, along with rubbers such as nitrile and neoprene, are part of a versatile family of elastomeric materials prized for their elasticity and resilience. These materials make polyurethane rollers an ideal solution for diverse industrial applications, including conveyor systems, printing, packaging, manufacturing, and food processing. Compared to traditional rubber rollers, polyurethane rollers provide enhanced mechanical performance, chemical resistance, and longevity. Their superior properties have led them to replace other materials in a wide variety of demanding environments where durability, safety, and efficiency are crucial. The following highlights key advantages of polyurethane rollers as both replacement and original equipment roller coverings:

Polyurethane Pickup Roller

  • Wide range of physical properties - Polyurethane compounds can be engineered with a broad spectrum of hardness (durometer) levels, abrasion resistance, flexibility, and load-bearing capacity. By varying the mix of polyols, diisocyanates, and curatives, manufacturers can tailor polyurethane rollers to specific industrial requirements, such as high-traction conveyor rollers, impact-resistant rollers, and precision guide rollers. This adaptability delivers solutions for challenging environments where rubber or metal fail to meet performance standards.
  • Better durability and abrasion resistance - Polyurethane exhibits significantly higher wear resistance and toughness than conventional rubber materials, making it highly durable in continuous operation. Its resilience to cuts, tears, and abrasion enables polyurethane rollers to perform reliably even under heavy loads and high RPMs. On average, polyurethane rollers last up to four times longer—sometimes over 4,000 hours—before requiring replacement. This extended service life reduces maintenance costs, decreases equipment downtime, and maximizes productivity for industrial users.
  • Superior chemical, oil, and solvent resistance - Polyurethane rollers are formulated for enhanced resistance to chemicals, water, oils, greases, and petroleum-based solvents. This makes them suitable for environments exposed to aggressive agents, such as printing presses, food and beverage processing lines, and pharmaceutical packaging, where conventional rubber would degrade rapidly. Polyurethane's non-porous surface also resists moisture absorption, microbial growth, and chemical leaching, which is essential for compliance in sensitive applications.
  • Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Polyurethane rollers are available in food-grade, FDA-compliant formulas. These materials do not leave residues, odors, or contaminants—vital in food processing, bakery, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Polyurethane's non-marking and hygienic properties help prevent cross-contamination, ensuring products meet stringent safety and cleanliness standards.
  • Non-marking performance and no carbon blacking – Many rubber rollers utilize carbon black for reinforcing strength, but this additive often causes undesirable black marks and streaks—particularly problematic during handling of finished goods, white or light-colored products, and high-quality printing. Polyurethane rollers are engineered to be non-marking, eliminating the risk of surface contamination, product returns, or print defects. This makes them the preferred choice for cleanroom, food handling, packaging, and graphic arts applications.

    Food Grade Polyurethane

  • Exceptional load-bearing and impact strength – Polyurethane rollers maintain structural integrity under high loads and repeated impact, making them well-suited for conveyor idler rollers, drive rollers, and material handling rollers in heavy-duty sectors like mining, automotive, and warehouse automation. Their flexibility with toughness helps absorb vibrations, reduce noise, and prevent damage to delicate goods during transport or processing.

Ease of processing and customization

Polyurethane is easy and cost-effective to process compared to many elastomeric materials. Its manufacturing methods—whether open casting, injection molding, or extrusion—require only basic mixing equipment and no complex or high-temperature curing. This allows for quick turnaround when manufacturing custom rollers and sleeves in diverse shapes, diameters, and hardness levels, accommodating small- to large-scale production runs. The ability to produce custom polyurethane roller covers for specific dimensions or specialty functions (e.g., anti-static, high-friction, or color coding) adds unique value for OEMs, repair shops, and industrial engineers focused on precision and versatility.

Do not mark products and surfaces

Unlike rubber roller linings that contain carbon black as filler and reinforcement—often responsible for visible streaks or scuff marks on finished goods and delicate surfaces—polyurethane rollers are engineered to prevent surface marking. Their non-marking property is essential for industries such as electronics, printing, pharmaceutical production, medical device assembly, and food handling, where product appearance and cleanliness are paramount. As a result, polyurethane rollers play a critical role in quality assurance and contamination control.

High resistance to water, oils, and environmental factors

Polyurethane's molecular structure provides outstanding protection against water intrusion and oil absorption, preserving performance in both dry and wet processing environments. This water and oil resistance is indispensable where rollers frequently encounter washdowns, cleaning agents, food-grade lubricants, or corrosive liquids—common in bottling plants, commercial bakeries, industrial laundries, and printing operations. Polyurethane also offers strong resistance to ozone, UV exposure, and many chemicals, reducing the risks of swelling, hardening, or crumbling seen with other elastomers over time.

Key applications and user considerations

When evaluating or selecting industrial rollers, facilities managers, engineers, and plant operators should weigh the unique advantages of polyurethane rollers for their specific use case. Common factors include required load capacity, resistance to abrasion and chemicals, operating temperature range, and food or medical-grade compliance. Polyurethane rollers are widely used in material handling equipment, conveyor systems, printing presses, textile machinery, woodworking equipment, and automated packaging lines. Their ability to be customized for hardness, surface texture, core material (aluminum, steel, or plastic), and functional coatings ensures optimal performance tailored to any production challenge.

When purchasing polyurethane rollers, look for reputable suppliers offering technical expertise, precision manufacturing, and high-quality formulations. Consider manufacturers who can provide detailed specifications, engineering consultation, and ongoing support to help enhance your plant’s efficiency and product quality.

Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers

    Mouse Over Company Names to see their previews

    Chapter 3: What is the Polyurethane Polymer System?

    The engineering involved in polyurethane rollers primarily occurs during the creation of the elastomer lining. This material consists of four key components: the polyol compound, the diisocyanate compound, the chain extender or curatives, and various additives.

    Polyurethane Elastomer

    The combination of polyol and diisocyanate compounds results in the formation of prepolymer resin. This process creates a simple polymer chain through the reaction of a polyol component (a carbon-chained molecule with alcohol groups on both ends) with a diisocyanate component (a molecule with isocyanate groups on both ends). The reaction produces a molecule with a reactive alcohol on one end and a reactive isocyanate on the other. The alcohol end connects with another isocyanate group or terminal, while the isocyanate end of the chain reacts further with chain extenders or curatives such as hydroxyls and amines. This ongoing process results in the creation of a long, chained polyurethane molecule.

    The mechanical properties of the polyurethane depend on the formulation of the prepolymer resin and the curatives used. Additives can enhance specific properties of the polyurethane, such as curing time, machinability, color, and UV protection. However, careful proportioning of additives relative to the amount of resin in the mixture is crucial, as improper ratios can weaken the final product's properties.

    Chapter 4: What are the components of polyurethanes?

    In the previous chapter, we briefly covered the process of making polyurethane and explored the roles of the four different components. This chapter will delve into the various chemicals used in polyurethane production and their impact on the final properties of the product.

    • The Polyol - A polyol is an organic molecule containing one or more hydroxyl (OH) group(s). Polyols used in urethane casting are either polyether or polyester types.
      Polyol Molecule

      • Polyether: Polyethers are characterized by good resilience, high impact resistance, low heat build-up for dynamic applications, hydrolysis resistance, and good low-temperature performance. Common types of polyether used for polyurethane rollers are PTMEG and PPG. Of the two, PTMEG offers superior quality but is more expensive.
      • Polyester: Compared to polyether, polyesters have good abrasion resistance, heat aging resistance, oil resistance, solvent resistance, good shock absorption properties, and better tear resistance.
      • Specialty polyols: The most common are polycarbonate and polycaprolactone polyols. These two polyols are also sometimes classified as polyesters. Polycarbonates are used as engineering materials due to their strength and toughness. On the other hand, polycaprolactone gives the polyurethane good water, oil, solvent, and chlorine resistance.

    The Diisocyanate

    Similar to polyols, diisocyanate compounds contribute to the resin component of the polyurethane system. Diisocyanates are categorized into two primary types: aliphatic and aromatic.

    • Aliphatic Diisocyanates - The most popular characteristic of these types is that they are non-yellowing. This makes them suitable for rollers where color stability is required. The most common ADIs are hexamethylene (HDI), hexamethylene (HMDI), and isophorone (IPDI).
    • Aromatic Diisocyanates - These types are further divided into NDI, TDI, and MDI.
    • Naphthalenic Diisocyanates (NDI) - NDIs offer superior performance and long service life for dynamic applications. One downside of NDIs is their high melting point, which makes them difficult to process. Moreover, they are highly reactive; this results in lower storage stability. Thus, they are usually manufactured with special equipment at the custom molder.
      NDI Molecule

    • Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) - In contrast with MDIs, this type is popularly used for high-hardness applications such as guide rollers. Typical forms of TDIs used on an industrial scale are the 2,4 and 2,6 isomers at an 80/20 blend. Producing proportions other than 80/20 requires an additional process.
      TDI Molecule

    • Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) - MDIs are known for imparting high resilience and impact strength to polyurethane casts. That is why MDIs, paired with either polyethers or polyesters, are used in dynamic, high impingement applications such as wheels, grains milling rollers, and the like. The most common isomer used in casting is purified 4,4 isomers.
      MDI Molecule

    • Curative - Curatives are mixed with the polyol and diisocyanate prepolymer to form a solid or semi-solid elastomer. There are two basic types of curatives: hydroxyls and amines.
      • Hydroxyls (Diols): These curatives have hydroxyl groups (OH) at the molecule terminals that link prepolymers. The standard hydroxyl curative is 1,4-butanediol (BDO); it is commonly used in MDI prepolymer systems at room temperature.
      • Amines: Aside from hydroxyl groups, amine groups (NH2) can also bond on the terminals of the prepolymer. The widely used amine curative was 4,4-methylene bis (2-chloroaniline) (MOCA) as the base curative for TDI prepolymer systems. However, this type was then identified as a carcinogen by OSHA. Other amine chain extenders are now being used such as 4,4-methylene bis (3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline) (MCDEA).

    Chapter 5: What are the properties of polyurethane?

    Polyurethane is considered an engineering material due to its exceptional properties, primarily stemming from its high elasticity. The following are some key properties of polyurethane that are particularly relevant for roller applications.

    • Hardness - Hardness is the relative resistance of a material to localized surface deformation. It is usually determined by measuring the depth of indentation on the material by a standard indenter, ball, or presser foot.
      Shore Hardness Scale

      Materials are graded according to their hardness relative to one another. For elastomers, hardness is characterized by the Shore Hardness Number. This is measured by a durometer. There are 12 different Shore Hardness Scales; each scale has its indenter configuration, profile, and force applied. The Shore scales used for polyurethanes are Shore A and D. Shore A scale measures the hardness of soft, semi-rigid polyurethanes, while Shore D measures hard rubbers and rigid polyurethanes. However, keep in mind that high hardness does not correspond with high rigidity or strength.

    • Abrasion Resistance The two types of abrasion are sliding and impingement; sliding is one surface passing over another, while impingement, or slurry abrasion, includes the impact of particles. Sliding abrasion can be two-way or three-way, with two-way being two surfaces meeting and three-way being two surfaces separated by dry particles. Both types of siding abrasion experience high strain that creates tears in the surface of materials.

      With impingement abrasion, the paths of the particles impacting the surface of a material can be perpendicular or at an angle. The attacks of the particles strike specific areas, causing high strain and breaking off small bits of the surface.

      Regardless of the type of abrasion, polyurethane is highly capable of resisting both sliding and impingement. Since it has a low friction coefficient and high strength, it is unaffected by sliding abrasion. With impingement abrasion, it absorbs the energy from the particulate attacks, distributes the stress, and immediately recovers without any signs of damage.

      Polyurethane is blended to produce a low coefficient of friction, high tear strength, and elasticity, properties that help it withstand abrasion. The composition of its resin produces its exceptional abrasion resistance. Among the polyol compounds for making polyurethane, polyesters have the best tear and abrasion resistance.

    • Tear Strength - Tear strength is the ability of polyurethane to withstand tensile forces that rip the material apart and tear through its body. The different types of tear tests can vary depending on how the force is applied, the microscopic structure of the material, and is correlated with abrasion resistance. The highest level of tear strength for polyurethanes is found with polyester polyurethanes. The tear strength for polyurethane is as high as 1000 pounds per linear inch using the ASTM D-624, Type C test.

      Polyurethane tear strength is measured in pounds per inch of thickness. The testing for tear strength is dependent on the application for which the polyurethane will be used. Tear strength tests have been established by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). There are three ASTM tests used to determine the tear strength of polyurethane, which are:

      • ASTM D-624, Type C - measures resistance to tearing
      • ASTM D-1938 – measures resistance to cut or tear growth
      • ASTM D-470 – measures resistance to cut or tear growth
        Tear Strength Test

    • Impact Strength - In addition to abrasion resistance, polyurethanes possess good impact strength because of their excellent resilience. The polyurethane lining used in rollers can elastically deform to absorb an impact and return to its shape. It does this while dissipating the energy throughout the structure of the roller.
    • Fatigue Resistance - Polyurethane has high fatigue resistance because of its flexural strength. It can elastically deform under cyclic conditions without failing. This makes it suitable for high-speed applications such as printing and milling. The only problem with polyurethanes used in these conditions is their low-heat dissipation, especially for thicker roller linings. High heat can eventually accelerate creep, which weakens the material.
    • Thermal Aging Resistance - Thermal aging is the gradual degradation of elastomers under conditions of high temperature and oxygen abundance. It is characterized by a loss of strength and elasticity. This irreversible process dictates the operating temperature limits of the material.
      Thermal Aging Effects

      Polyurethane exhibits good thermal aging resistance when formulated with certain compounds such as PPDI and CHDI. Typical polyurethanes have a maximum operating temperature of about 90 to 100°F (32 to 37.7°C). Special but more expensive formulations can reach 302° F (150°C).

    • Friction - Polyurethanes‘ coefficient of friction (COF) tends to correlate with their hardness. The two properties have an inverse relationship, when COF increases, hardness decreases. Since the hardness of polyurethanes is easily manipulated through blending, the desired COF can also be attained.
    • Machinability - Machinability is a property observed in hard polyurethanes. This property allows polyurethanes to be shaped into perfect geometries. This is particularly useful for polyurethane rollers since they must undergo machining to create the desired profile, especially for crowned rollers.
      Polyurethane Roller Machining

    • Chemical Resistance - The chemical resistance of polyurethanes depends on the type of polyol used in their polymer system. Ether-based systems are more resistant to water, making them suitable for wet applications. Ester-based, on the other hand, are best against oils, solvents, and most petroleum compounds.

    Chapter 6: What is the manufacturing process?

    The manufacturing of a polyurethane roller is a straightforward process that includes fabricating the roller core, balancing, blending polyurethane, bonding, building, curing, machining, and quality testing. This process is similar to that used for other types of rubber rollers. The key difference lies in the cover-building stage, where the polyurethane resin is in liquid form.

    Roller Manufacturing and Repair

    • Roller Core Fabrication and Preparation - Steel is the most common type of material for making roller cores. Steel roller cores are formed through a series of sheet rolling, milling, cutting, and welding processes. The main part is the outer cylinder, which holds the polyurethane. It is typically formed through rolling and welding processes completed in steel mills, which supply steel pipes and tubes as feedstock materials to polyurethane roller manufacturers.

      Polyurethane rollers have a solid core or a keyway and space for bearings, which are designed for one or both ends of the roller. Bearings reduce friction against the static and rotating parts. The configuration, mounting, and type of bearing can vary depending on the design of the roller.

      All dimensions of a polyurethane roller must be accurate to attain the required diameter, roundness, and balance of the roller. After fabrication, the roller core is subjected to secondary processes such as blasting, lapping, and cleaning to remove any traces of corrosion and contaminants.

      Roller Core

    • Roller Balancing - A roller core can become imbalanced in two ways: static and dynamic imbalance. Static imbalance is described as the roller rolling to its heavy side when made to rotate freely. Dynamic imbalance is the generation of a rocking motion or vibration when the roller is rotated to its operating speed. Polyurethane rollers are usually inspected and corrected for dynamic imbalance. Dynamic balancing is done by testing the roller with a computer-controlled dynamic balancing system. It determines the location and amount of counterweight needed to ensure proper balancing.
    • Polyurethane Preparation - The components of the polyurethane polymer system were tackled in chapters two and three. As previously mentioned, polyurethane is a combination of chemicals, namely polyols, diisocyanates, curatives, and additives. Specific formulations are used to create a product with the desired mechanical and chemical properties.
      Polyurethane Mixing Machine

    The formulation can be done through different processes. These are known as the single shot, prepolymer, and quasi-prepolymer processes.

    The single-shot process involves having all components in separate chambers. These will then be blended by a mixing head and poured or injected into the mold.

    The second option is the prepolymer process. This process is carried out by mixing the polyols and diisocyanates before pouring them into the mold. This process helps dissipate the heat produced from the exothermic reaction of the compounds.

    Last is the quasi-prepolymer process. Quasi-prepolymers consist of polyols partially reacted with the diisocyanate compounds. This simplifies the formulation process since the quasi-prepolymers are less viscous and require low processing temperature.

    • Bonding - Bonding is the process that involves adhering the rubber cover to the surface of the roller core. It is done by using a chemical bonding agent that strongly adheres to the outer surface of the roller core. Once the bonding components are applied, the polyurethane building process can begin. The building is the process of covering or lining the rigid roller core with a rubber compound.

      Other rubber compounds used for roller linings are in the form of calendered sheets and strips. They are joined to the roller core by plying and extrusion. Polyurethane formulations are available as liquid mixtures. Thus, the processes of building polyurethane are casting and injection molding. Both of these methods use liquid resins.

      Casting involves placing the roller core into a mold where the polyurethane polymer is poured. The process of casting is an economical method for manufacturing polyurethane rollers and is much less expensive than injection molding.

      Injection molding requires expensive dies that must be machined and configured to the shape of the desired polyurethane roller. It involves a great deal of time and the use of expensive machinery and equipment.

      Casting Polyurethane Rollers

    • Curing and Cooling - Curing is the process of creating cross-links between the chained molecules of elastomer compounds. This makes the rubber more stable, enabling it to resist the effects of heat, cold, and solvents. Curing is done by applying heat to the system, which initiates the bonding of the curative agents. In some polyurethane polymer systems, curing can also be done at room temperature. After heating, the polyurethane is allowed to cure for several minutes or hours. Finally, the polyurethane roller is cooled and released from the mold.

      Other polyurethane systems employ an additional curing process known as post-curing. Post-curing further improves the mechanical properties of the cast, as well as its temperature aging resistance.

    • Machining - This process smooths the surface of the cast polyurethane rollers by removing protruding areas and flashings. Grinding is the typical process; it is done by rolling the polyurethane roller against an abrasive wheel. Other machining processes can be involved, such as cutting and laser engraving to produce surfaces with customized profiles.
    • Polyurethane Compound Quality Testing - Most large-scale polyurethane roller manufacturers have in-house testing capabilities to monitor the quality of cast polyurethanes on their roller products. Polyurethanes are tested to evaluate their basic properties, such as hardness, abrasion resistance, and tear strength. Other test methods are utilized for more specific applications, such as accelerated aging and heat resistance tests for high-temperature applications.
      Hardness Test

    Chapter 7: What are the leading machines for producing polyurethane rollers?

    In the United States and Canada, there is a wide range of machines available for producing polyurethane rollers. These machines are crucial for the mass production of polyurethane rollers, which play a significant role in industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and material handling. They contribute to enhanced efficiency and productivity in these sectors. Below, we provide information on many of the leading machines for producing polyurethane rollers.

    Model: Spin-Casting Machine SC3000

    Manufacturer: Unicast Company

    Characteristics: The SC3000 is a high-precision spin-casting machine designed for efficient and accurate production of polyurethane rollers. It guarantees uniform material distribution and a superior surface finish.

    Model: Polyurethane Injection Molding Machine E-DM

    Manufacturer: EMI Corporation

    Characteristics: The E-DM series is engineered for polyurethane injection molding, allowing for the production of rollers with complex designs and consistent quality.

    Model: PU Roller Extrusion Machine XJL-120

    Manufacturer: JCTIMES

    Characteristics: The XJL-120 is an extrusion machine tailored for polyurethane rollers, providing continuous production capabilities with adjustable dimensions and hardness levels.

    Model: Linden Polyurethane Casting Machine Series

    Manufacturer: Linden Industries

    Characteristics: The Linden Polyurethane Casting Machine Series provides precise control over material mixing ratios, temperature, and curing time, ensuring consistent quality in polyurethane roller production. These machines are versatile, allowing for the creation of various roller sizes and hardness levels to meet specific industry needs.

    Model: PU Extruder DX Series

    Manufacturer: Delta Engineering

    Characteristics: The Delta Engineering PU Extruder DX Series is designed for continuous polyurethane extrusion, making it perfect for high-volume production of polyurethane rollers. These machines feature advanced controls for temperature and pressure, ensuring precise roller dimensions, uniform density, and an excellent surface finish. Additionally, they come with user-friendly interfaces for efficient operation and maintenance.

    Please note that the availability and popularity of these specific models and their manufacturers may change over time. For the most current information on polyurethane roller production machinery, it is recommended to contact the manufacturers directly or consult with industry suppliers specializing in polyurethane roller equipment.

    Chapter 8: What are the uses for polyurethane rollers?

    The selection of polyurethane rollers for industrial applications is primarily based on their durability and the availability of a wide range of durometers. Unlike the expensive and time-consuming tooling required for manufacturing rubber rollers, polyurethane casting utilizes aluminum molds that can be easily formed and shaped to the precise dimensions of the designed roller.

    Despite their straightforward production process, polyurethane rollers offer exceptional durability, resistance to abrasion, and come in various sizes to accommodate all types of roller applications.

    Conveyor Rollers

    The choice of polyurethane rollers as conveyor rollers is due to their noise abatement and abrasion and solvent resistance. In packaging and shipping, conveying systems are the foundation of efficient and smooth operations. Materials have to move quickly without being damaged or mishandled. Polyurethane rollers are an important part of the effortless conveyance of parts, tools, customer orders, and equipment. Their noise suppression properties assist in keeping the work environment stress free for workers.

    Idler rollers are a crucial component of a conveyor roller system, playing various roles to aid in the movement of materials along a conveyor belt. There are two main types of idler rollers: carrying rollers, which transport materials, and return rollers, which support the conveyor belt during its return phase.

    • Trough - A common type of carrying roller is a set of trough idler rollers in the shape of a trough, with a trough frame on the load side of the conveying system. They have a central idler and two wing idlers, with central idlers coming in several widths. The wing idlers of a trough idler come at 20°, 35°, and 45° angles.
      Trough Idler

    • Impact Idlers - Impact idlers are used for conveyor belts that have loads dropped on them. Polyurethane rollers designed for impact have a ring shape to buffer and absorb the weight of heavy loads and reduce the amount of damage to the conveyor belt. The center roller for an impact idler is longer, while the wing idlers are shorter at 20° angles to handle the dispersal of the load material and make materials available for inspection.
    • Flat Idlers - Flat idlers are the most common form of idlers and are found supporting nearly every type of conveyor belt. They are designed for high-speed conveying processes and come in different lengths to match the width of the conveyor. Flat idlers are designed to withstand the weight and impact associated with production and shipping operations.

      On the return side, flat return idlers are used to support the return of the conveyor belt. They have a steel support rod and lifting brackets to keep the belt from stretching, deforming, and slacking.

    Industrial Casters

    Industrial polyurethane-coated casters are robust and durable, capable of supporting loads of up to five tons. They offer greater capacity than rubber wheels and are constructed from high-density, thick polyurethane. These casters are preferred for their ability to handle exceptionally heavy loads without damaging floors or other surfaces.

    Similar to polyurethane rollers used in conveying systems, industrial polyurethane casters operate quietly and feature a larger footprint, which helps reduce stress on flooring. Their longevity is attributed to their elasticity, providing ergonomic benefits and enhancing their durability.

    Polyurethane Industrial Casters

    Conclusion

    • Polyurethane rollers are cylindrical rollers covered by a layer of elastomer material called polyurethane. The layer of polyurethane has intrinsic properties that protect the inner roller core, such as abrasion resistance and impact strength.
    • Polyurethane rollers have several advantages over ordinary rubber rollers. Some of these advantages are versatility, durability, simpler processing, and water and oil resistance.
    • There are four components that make up polyurethane. These are polyols, diisocyanates, chain extenders or curatives, and additives.
    • Polyurethane is regarded as an engineering material because of its excellent properties. Most of these properties are attributed to its highly elastic nature.

    Leading Manufacturers and Suppliers

      Mouse Over Company Names to see their previews

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1: What is a Polyurethane Roller?

      Chapter 2: Advantages of Polyurethane Rollers

      Chapter 3: The Polyurethane Polymer System

      Chapter 4: Components of Polyurethanes

      Chapter 5: Properties of Polyurethane

      Chapter 6: Manufacturing Process

      Chapter 7: Leading Polyurethane Roller Producing Machines

      Chapter 8: Uses for Polyurethane Rollers

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      Rotational Molding

      Rotational Molding

      Rotational molding, commonly referred to as "rotomolding", is a plastic casting technique used to produce hollow, seamless, and double-walled parts. It uses a hollow mold tool wherein the thermoplastic powdered resin is heated while being rotated and cooled to solidify...

      Rubber Injection Molding

      Rubber Injection Molding

      Rubber injection molding is when uncured rubber is transformed into a usable product by injecting raw rubber material into a mold cavity made of metal. The applied pressure produces a chemical reaction like...

      Rubber Molding

      Rubber Molding

      Rubber molding is a process of transforming uncured rubber or an elastomer into a usable product by transferring, compressing, or injecting raw rubber material into a metal mold cavity...

      Rubber Overmolding

      Rubber Overmolding

      There are several methods to perform rubber overmolding, and each method has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. The choice of method typically depends on the design and material requirements of the product being...

      Silicone Rubber Molding

      Silicone Rubber Molding

      Silicone rubber molding is a method for shaping, forming, and fabricating silicone rubber parts and products using a heated mold. The process involves compressing or injecting silicone rubber into a mold...

      Thermoplastic Molding

      Thermoplastic Molding

      Thermoplastic molding is a manufacturing process that works to create fully functional parts by injecting plastic resin into a pre-made mold. Thermoplastic polymers are more widely used than thermosetting...

      Grommet Edging

      Grommet Edging

      A grommet edging is a flexible rubber or plastic strip that covers rough and sharp surfaces found in openings and edges of panel walls to protect the passing electrical cables, wires, and other sensitive components...

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