ZYfire polyurethane lined pipe has emerged as a technologically superior material for abrasion control in slurry pipelines.  Polyurethane lining has both chemical and mechanical advantages over alternative materials, such as rubber lining, high density polyethylene, and hardened steel.  Some of the benefits of this type of lining include extremely long life (projected to be up to 20 years or more), lower maintenance costs, and the ability to ensure an environmentally sound system. Many key mining companies around the world have selected polyurethane lined pipe as the only material suitable for transporting slurry and tailings and are enjoying very successful operation.

Key advantages of Polyurethane

Wide Hardness Range – Your part may be compounded in any hardness range from 10 Shore A (similar to a gum eraser) to 85 Shore D (similar to nylon)

Abrasion Resistance – In applications where severe wear is a problem, polyurethane offers outstanding durability when compared with rubber, plastics or even metals. The savings in replacement parts, labour and equipment downtime can far exceed the cost of a Polyurethane part for your application. Whether your component suffers from scuffing, sliding, or particle impingement abrasion, we can optimise our materials for either type of abrasion.

High Load-Bearing Capacity – Polyurethane can be custom formulated to resist deformation under high pressure with low creep and compression set properties.

Chemical Resistance – Polyurethane compounds have excellent resistance to most aliphatic-based oils and solvents, as well as animal and vegetable oils and fats.

Hydrolytic Stability – Polyether-based Polyurethane has superior hydrolytic stability. They absorb practically no water (barely 0.3% to 1% by weight) and are suitable for applications requiring immersion.

Bondability – Polyurethane cast polyurethane bonds readily to metal or virtually any other material, whether rigid or flexible. Cast bonding systems can be designed to produce bonds that are often stronger than the polyurethane itself.

Tear Resistance – Polyurethane can approach 120 kn/m (Die C Tear). This unusually high value accounts for its widespread use on drives, pinch rolls, belts, liners, seals, bumper and load pads.

Highly Resistant to Impact – While conventional plastic materials can become brittle as they become harder, Polyurethane retains elasticity and strength over the complete range of hardness.

Controlled Resilience – Unlike conventional rubber, Polyurethane does not have to be softened to make it resilient. Polyurethane can be custom formulated to give hard polyurethanes similar resiliency as much softer materials, making Polyurethane an excellent material for shock/vibration absorption.

Sunlight, Ozone, Weather Resistance – Polyurethane is substantially inert in the presence of ozone and oxygen. It is more resistant than natural and synthetic rubber to sunlight and weather.

Friction Coefficients – Polyurethane can be formulated to offer various coefficients of friction that will remain permanently in your compound. This is usually not possible with other elastomers which may continue to cure, harden, or soften over their usual life, with resultant change in the coefficient of friction.

Temperature Resistance – Polyurethane can be formulated to operate at up to 150 deg C. While polyurethanes are not recommended for high-temperature applications, the limiting temperature depends on the service the part is to perform.

Electrical Properties – Polyurethane is an excellent insulating material. Polyurethane can be also formulated to be electrically conductive. Polyurethanes are found in many anti-static applications.