Materials
General guidance on how rubber, polyurethane and silicone behave in different conditions. The ranges are typical for each material; material, hardness and surface are set separately for every application.
Rubber
Depending on the polymer, rubber resists oil, ozone, hot water or acids. Choosing the right polymer matters more than choosing the hardness.
| Hardness | 30–95 Shore A |
|---|---|
| Service temperature | −40 / +120 °C (+200 °C with FKM) |
| Tensile strength | 8–25 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 200–600 % |
Common grades
- NBR
- EPDM
- SBR
- CR
- FKM
- NR
- HNBR
Typical uses
- Conveyor and transport rollers
- Textile padder and squeeze rollers
- Seals, bellows and diaphragms
- Anti-vibration mounts
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is the most wear- and cut-resistant elastomer. At the same hardness it carries far more load than rubber.
| Hardness | 60 Shore A – 75 Shore D |
|---|---|
| Service temperature | −30 / +90 °C |
| Tensile strength | 25–50 MPa |
| Abrasion loss (ISO 4649) | 25–50 mm³ |
Common grades
- PU-MDI
- PU-TDI
- PU-NDI
- PU-PPDI
Typical uses
- Offset and flexo printing rollers
- Sheet levelling and conveying rollers
- Wheels, tyres and bushes
- Mining screens and scrapers
Silicone
Silicone stays flexible from −60 °C to +230 °C, and its release surface works with adhesives, films and food.
| Hardness | 20–80 Shore A |
|---|---|
| Service temperature | −60 / +230 °C |
| Tensile strength | 5–10 MPa |
| Food contact | Confirmed per project |
Common grades
- VMQ
- HTV
- LSR
- FVMQ
Typical uses
- Lamination and heat-seal rollers
- Corona treater rollers
- Food-line seals and profiles
- Oven and dryer seals
Side by side
This shows the general trend. For rubber the result depends heavily on the polymer: NBR handles oil, while EPDM handles hot water and steam.
| Property | Rubber | Polyurethane | Silicone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abrasion resistance | Good | Excellent | Fair |
| Load capacity | Good | Excellent | Fair |
| Tear strength | Good | Excellent | Fair |
| High temperature | Good | Fair | Excellent |
| Low temperature | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Oil and fuel | Very good | Very good | Fair |
| Hot water and steam | Very good | Poor | Very good |
| Ozone and UV | Good | Very good | Excellent |
| Food contact | Fair | Good | Excellent |
Which material should I choose?
My roller wears quickly. Should I switch to polyurethane?
Where wear, impact and load resistance are critical, polyurethane is often a strong choice. But it does not suit every environment equally; with heat, hot water or chemical exposure another material may fit better. We decide after reviewing the operating conditions with you.
How do you choose the hardness?
We look at what the part does, its load, speed and contact surface. Pressing and traction elements need to conform to the surface; transport and bumper applications need to hold their shape under load. If you have the existing part, we use it as the starting point.
What do I need for a part that touches food?
For food and similar special uses, material suitability and the required certification are settled before the project starts. In your request, tell us which product the part touches and at what temperature.
I have no drawing. Can I still get a quote?
Yes. You can send a sample, the existing part, or dimensions and photos. When needed, we visit your facility to evaluate the requirement on site.
Send us the dimensions and photos of your part.
Roller, wheel or technical part: let us review the application and the price proposal together.