Polyurethane Sheet, Rod, Tube & Bushes

Polyurethane sheet, rod, tube, and bush stock forms the raw material for hundreds of industrial applications across mining, manufacturing, and engineering. Elastomers Queensland manufactures and stocks a range of standard dimensions, and casts custom sizes for applications where standard stock does not meet the requirement.

Our cast polyurethane stock materials are manufactured in-house from polyurethane raw materials — not purchased and resold. This means we can produce custom formulations, non-standard hardness grades, and specific polyether or polyester chemistries to suit the application. For maintenance and engineering teams who need a quick fabrication-ready material, standard stock is typically available off the shelf.

Polyurethane vs Rubber and Nylon: Where Polyurethane Wins

Polyurethane sheet and rod stock sits between rubber and engineering plastics (nylon, UHMWPE) in both hardness and application suitability. Understanding where it outperforms both alternatives helps engineers specify correctly the first time.

Against rubber: polyurethane sheet in the 60D–80D range provides the flexibility and impact absorption of rubber while offering three to five times greater abrasion resistance. For wear liners, chute liners, and impact pads where rubber wears out too quickly, polyurethane is the obvious upgrade.

Against nylon and UHMWPE: in applications requiring some flexibility or shock absorption, engineering plastics are too rigid. A nylon bush in a high-impact application will crack; a polyurethane bush will deform and recover. Polyurethane also outperforms nylon in abrasion resistance in most wet applications, and is resistant to the hydrolysis that degrades nylon in prolonged water contact.

The sweet spot for polyurethane stock material is anywhere abrasion resistance, impact tolerance, and controlled flexibility are all required simultaneously — most industrial wear applications fall squarely in this zone.

Sheet Stock

Polyurethane sheet is used for wear liners, chute liners, screening panels, wear plates, impact pads, and custom-cut gaskets. We cast sheet in standard thicknesses and in custom dimensions for applications requiring sizes outside our standard range.

Hardness selection for sheet applications is critical. Soft sheet (40A–60A) is appropriate for impact absorption and noise reduction. Mid-range (70A–95A) suits most general wear liner applications. Hard sheet (60D–80D) is specified where dimensional stability and load-bearing capacity are required alongside abrasion resistance.

Polyether and polyester grades are available. Polyether polyurethane offers superior hydrolysis resistance and is the correct specification for wet or submerged applications. Polyester polyurethane typically provides slightly better abrasion resistance in dry conditions.

Rod and Tube Stock

Rod stock is used as the starting material for bushes, bearings, wear pads, and custom-turned components. Our CNC lathes can machine rod stock to close tolerances for direct-fit replacement bushes and bearing housings.

Tube stock provides wall thickness options for applications where bore size is fixed — slide bearings, pipe-over-pipe wear protection, and roller cores. Custom wall thicknesses and bore diameters are available to order.

Bushes and Bearings

Polyurethane bushes offer a practical alternative to bronze, nylon, and rubber bushes in many applications. The self-lubricating properties of some polyurethane formulations reduce maintenance requirements; the abrasion resistance extends service life in dirty or gritty environments.

We manufacture plain bore bushes, flanged bushes, and split bushes to drawing. For standard sizes, we can often supply from stock rod that is turned to the required bore and outside diameter. Send us your bush specifications or a worn original for measurement.