Technical molded parts (gears, bushings)

In addition to typical soft elastomeric parts (covered in various previous applications), high-hardness PU competes with polyamide (nylon), UHMWPE and metals in technical engineering parts: gears for industrial equipment that require silence and shock absorption, bushings for articulations in agricultural and heavy equipment, friction shoes in machine belts, support parts in rotating systems, components in textile and paper machines, specific parts in mining equipment. PU advantages over polyamide: superior impact resistance, better oil and chemical resistance, capability to operate in humid environments without swelling (polyamide absorbs water), and machinability. Disadvantage: lower elastic modulus than polyamide in applications requiring high rigidity. Specialized market with high added value, sustained growth from substitution of metal parts with polymeric parts in applications where weight, silence or chemical resistance are differentiators.