“In the arena of industrial materials, polyurethane elastomers are like’Transformers’ – both tough and wear-resistant like metal, and flexible and elastic like rubber. But did you know that this magical material is actually divided into three types? Choosing the wrong type can double the cost and halve the lifespan! This article will take you through the performance codes of the three major polyurethane elastomers of CPU, TPU, and MPU, helping you accurately match application requirements and avoid million-level equipment from being scrapped prematurely due to material selection errors…”
Overview of main types
Polyurethane elastomers are mainly divided into the following three types, each with unique performance characteristics:
- Cast-type polyurethane elastomer (CPU)
- Processing technology : using casting molding technology, liquid raw material reaction curing, suitable for complex shaped products
- Core advantages :
- Excellent wear resistance (industry-leading level)
- Excellent balance of strength and elasticity
- Excellent carrying capacity
- Typical applications :
- Industrial roller
- Heavy machinery seals
- Wear-resistant parts of mining equipment
- Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU)
- Processing characteristics :
- Thermoplastic processing mode
- Support reprocessing and recycling
- Performance characteristics :
- Polyether type has outstanding low temperature performance
- Good chemical tolerance
- Environmentally friendly and non-toxic characteristics
- Main uses :
- Material for sports shoes
- Medical catheter
- Cable sheath
- Mixed polyurethane elastomer (MPU)
- Production process : using traditional rubber processing equipment
- Product features :
- Balanced wear and tear resistance
- Wide adjustable range of formula
- Suitable for large-scale production
- Application Areas :
- Car suspension
- Industrial buffer element
- General-purpose mechanical parts
Comprehensive performance comparison
| Performance indicators | CPU | TPU | MPU |
| Processing mode | Pouring molding | Thermoplastic forming | Mixing molding |
| Wear resistance grade | Optimal | Good | Medium |
| Low temperature performance | Excellent | Polyether type performance is outstanding | Conventional |
| Chemical resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Environmental protection characteristics | Meet basic environmental requirements | Completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly | Standard industrial grade |
| Typical applications | Field of heavy industry | Consumer goods/medical field | Automotive/General Industry |
Selection advice
Select the most suitable type based on the key requirements of the specific application scenario.
- High wear condition → CPU priority
- Environmental/medical requirements → Recommended TPU
- Cost Sensitive Mass Production → Recommended MPU
Note: When making actual choices, comprehensive consideration should be given to performance requirements, cost factors, and production conditions. Material experts can also be consulted for customized advice.
