Polyurethane - A Flexible, High Tensile Strength, and Elastic Material
Polyurethane refers to a class of polymers composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. In contrast to other common polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene, polyurethane is produced from a wide range of starting materials. This chemical variety produces polyurethanes with different chemical structures leading to many different applications. These include rigid and flexible foams, varnishes and coatings, adhesives, electrical potting compounds, and fibers such as spandex and polyurethane laminate (PUL). Foams are the largest application accounting for 67% of all polyurethane produced in 2016
A polyurethane is typically produced by reacting an isocyanate with a polyol. Since a polyurethane contains two types of monomers, which polymerize one after the other, they are classed as alternating copolymers. Both the isocyanates and polyols used to make a polyurethane contain two or more functional groups per molecule.
Global production in 2019 was 25 million metric tonnes, accounting for about 6% of all polymers produced in that year. Polyurethane is a commodity plastic. (source: Wikipedia)
Brandonite® 1200-60A is a polyurethane based thermoset elastomer that combines the following properties:
- High tensile strength - up to 5,000 PSI
- Outstanding elasticity - 500-600%
- Low compression set and high tear strength
- Excellent resistance to abrasion and tear
- High resistance to seawater, oils, chemicals, and UV degradation
Due to its versatile, liquid-castable properties, Globe's flexible, high strength & elastic material can be used to produce components of almost any size or geometry with significantly lower tooling costs compared to traditional compression molded rubber products.
Globe employs a unique processing method that eliminates knit-lines and drastically reduces the presence of voids. Now, one-piece gaskets or seals can be made in virtually any size or shape without the risk of compromising strength along knit-lines or compression zones.
Some of the Possible Applications for this Material Include:
Precision Gaskets & Seals - Globe has developed a new family of super high-strength compliant material that is ideal for demanding gasket and sealing applications. This material will not take a “set,” and yields a tensile strength of 4,500 PSI while having a fairly low durometer, 60A. This material can be bonded onto a variety of materials, including 316 stainless steel and titanium.
How tough and reliable is this material? It is used as the gaskets for missile hatches on all US Navy submarines.
Shock and Vibration Mounts - Globe can design and manufacture isolation mounts and vibration dampeners for a variety of applications using our advanced, low-durometer, high-strength Brandonite® 1200-60A dampening material. This material has superior bonding strength when cast or bonded to metallic (i.e., stainless steel, INCONEL, titanium, etc.) and non-metallic (including ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) structures or casements. With low durometer, yet high tensile and shear strength, this material can withstand repetitive stress and vibration.
Custom Components - Brandonite® 1200-60A can be modified to increase or decrease certain physical properties such as tensile strength, rebound, durometer, or elongation to best fit performance needs. Defense applications aside, this mold-resistance, high-performance polymer naturally lends itself to marine, agricultural, tropical, and water/sewage treatment applications available in both FDA and non-FDA approved grades.
Mooring Systems - Brandonite® 1200-60A has superior strength and resiliency capabilities in submersible applications which makes it ideal for surface and bottom mounts, buoys, tethers and other mooring system components.
Air Handling Systems - Globe makes high-tolerance, durable, and flexible air duct systems for the most demanding applications. We can reinforce these flexible ducts with rings made from aluminum or steel to prevent compression. These ducts can be made from a wide variety of materials, ranging from N-buna rubber to high-strength urethanes.
How tough are these duct systems? Globe provides critical air handling components on all Virginia-class submarines.