Mining operations subject equipment to highly abrasive conditions, including constant exposure to slurry, sand, and gravel. These environments accelerate wear on components, often leading to frequent maintenance, unexpected downtime, and increased operational costs. Conventional materials such as steel, rubber, or standard elastomers frequently fail to provide the durability required under these extreme conditions, especially when impact absorption and flexibility are critical.
One of the key challenges in mining applications is achieving a balance between low hardness and high abrasion resistance. While harder materials typically offer better wear resistance, they often lack the resilience needed to absorb repeated impacts. Conversely, softer elastomers provide flexibility but tend to suffer from rapid degradation when exposed to severe abrasion.
Low hardness polyurethane systems based on ETERNATHANE® polycarbonate-based urethane prepolymers have been developed for demanding industrial applications. These materials enable the production of polyurethane elastomers that combine excellent abrasion resistance with high rebound, even at lower hardness levels, making them particularly suitable for mining environments.
Compared to conventional polyether- or polyester-based polyurethanes, ETERNATHANE® polycarbonate-based systems demonstrate superior durability and performance. Their enhanced dynamic behavior allows for efficient energy absorption during repeated impacts, while maintaining structural integrity over extended service periods. This combination is especially valuable in applications where both flexibility and wear resistance are required.
Another critical advantage of these low hardness PU systems is their outstanding resistance to hydrolytic and thermal stress. In mining operations, materials are often exposed to moisture, elevated temperatures, and harsh operating conditions. Polycarbonate-based ETERNATHANE® prepolymers retain a high percentage of their mechanical properties even after prolonged exposure to water and heat, ensuring long-term reliability and consistent performance.
Thanks to this balance of properties, low hardness polyurethane elastomers based on ETERNATHANE® are well suited for components such as mining screen panels, chute liners, and wear-resistant flexible pads. By extending service life and reducing maintenance needs, these materials help improve operational efficiency while lowering overall costs in extreme mining applications.
Download the technical document to explore the formulation approach and key performance properties of ETERNATHANE® low hardness polyurethane systems for mining applications.
