---
title: "Polyurethane Lining: A Wear-Resistant Solution for Industry"
description: "Polyurethane lining: 10 times higher wear resistance, wide temperature range, custom manufacturing. Consultation and orders at TIMOL."
lang: "en"
date: "2026-09-21"
canonical_url: "https://timol.com.ua/en/statti/futrovka-poliuretanom"
---
# Polyurethane Lining: A Wear-Resistant Solution for Industry

When the lining of a screen or gravity pipe wears out faster than a quarter ends, the enterprise faces not only material losses but also unscheduled downtimes. Switching to polyurethane lining provides 10 times longer lifespan, minimal interventions, and protection of components even in the harshest abrasive flows. In this article, we will explore why polyurethane lining has become the standard for wear-resistant surfaces, how to choose the right parameters, and organize installation for your component.

## What is Polyurethane Lining and Why It Is Used

Polyurethane lining involves applying a protective layer or insert made of cast polyurethane elastomer on the working surfaces of equipment subjected to abrasive wear, impacts, or chemical exposure. Polyurethane lining is used in areas where rubber or steel quickly deteriorates, such as screens, gravity pipes, bucket elevators, concrete mixer scrapers, and sieves.

The free casting technology allows TIMOL to manufacture polyurethane linings of any geometry, from large plates to complex inserts for drums and guides. The material retains elasticity and wear resistance in a temperature range from -60 to +100 °C, making polyurethane lining applicable in all 12 industrial sectors, from mining to food processing.

Thanks to high production flexibility, polyurethane lining is selected for both new components and for restoring the resources of already operating equipment. The lining protects the metal base from direct contact with abrasives, significantly extending service life and reducing the number of emergency stops.

## Advantages of Polyurethane Lining Compared to Steel, Rubber, and Caprolon

Polyurethane lining provides 10 times greater wear resistance compared to standard rubber and better withstands impacts and abrasive loads than steel or caprolon. The secret of its effectiveness lies in the resilience of polyurethane: abrasive particles do not cut grooves but bounce off the surface, resulting in minimal wear even when working with fine fractions.

Unlike steel, polyurethane does not corrode and dampens impacts and vibrations, significantly reducing noise levels in the production shop. Rubber often loses to polyurethane in wear (DIN 53516 for polyurethane, 20-45 mm³ vs. 100-200 mm³ for SBR rubber), while caprolon, although having an acceptable wear rate (30-90 mm³), does not absorb impact and is brittle under dynamic loads.

Polyurethane lining is used for sieves, scrapers, plates, lining sheets, guides, gravity equipment, and screen components. The surface can be smooth or ribbed, depending on technological requirements. Installation is done either by mechanical fastening (bolts, anchors) or by gluing to a prepared metal surface.

## Choosing the Hardness of Polyurethane for Lining and Its Impact on Resource

The optimal choice of hardness for abrasive and wear-resistant parts is 80-95 Shore A. In this range, polyurethane retains resilience, absorbs impacts, and best resists abrasive wear. Too hard materials (Shore D) are not suitable for lining as they lose resilience and are prone to chipping under the action of hard particles.

Hardness selection depends on the type of abrasive, flow speed, layer thickness, and part geometry. For screens and sieves, polyurethane closer to the upper limit of Shore A is used, while for seals and gaskets, lower values are preferred. TIMOL selects the hardness and type of material for each specific technical task, considering the component's features and customer requirements.

Free casting allows for the production of linings according to individual drawings, ensuring the required hardness, geometry, and layer thickness for specific industries: from mining to agriculture. High-quality metal preparation is a mandatory condition for the long service life of polyurethane lining.

> **Engineer’s Tip:**
> Before applying polyurethane lining, pay special attention to preparing the metal surface: sandblasting and applying an adhesion primer significantly increase the bonding strength and durability of the lining, especially in screens and gravity pipes.

## Comparative Table: Polyurethane Lining vs. Rubber, Steel, and Caprolon

| Parameter | TIMOL Polyurethane | SBR Rubber | NBR Rubber | Caprolon (PA6/PA66) | Carbon Steel St3/St45 |
|-----------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|
| Abrasion DIN 53516, mm³ | 20-45 | 100-200 | 80-150 | 30-90 | |
| Working Temperature, °C | -60...+100 | -40...80 | -30...100 | -40...100 | -40...500 |
| Density, g/cm³ | 1.05-1.25 | 0.94-1.1 | 1-1.3 | 1.13-1.15 | 7.7-7.9 |
| Tensile Strength, MPa | 25-60 | 8-20 | 10-25 | 60-85 | 370-700 |
| Hardness | 50A-70D | 40A-80A | 40A-90A | 75D-85D | 120-250 HB |
| Wear Resistance Relative to Rubber | 10 times higher | 1 (baseline) | 1 (baseline) | | |

According to DIN 53516 tests, TIMOL polyurethane lining has an abrasion index of 20-45 mm³, which is 3-5 times better than SBR rubber (100-200 mm³) and NBR (80-150 mm³), and also surpasses caprolon (30-90 mm³) due to its resilience and impact resistance. Steel does not mitigate abrasive wear but only withstands impact loads.

## Installation and Operation of Polyurethane Lining

The installation of polyurethane lining is carried out using various methods depending on the component design: mechanical fastening (bolts, anchors, flanges), adhesive joints, or insert elements. For plates, sieves, and scrapers, bolted connections are recommended as they simplify replacement and repair. For lining bucket elevators or gravity equipment, cast sheets and inserts, precisely made to customer size, are often used.

Proper surface preparation is key to quality adhesion: the metal surface is cleaned by sandblasting, treated with a primer, and only then is polyurethane applied. This ensures reliable bonding and long service life even in the most aggressive environments. The layer thickness is selected based on the load, with thicker layers for mining equipment and thinner for food processing units.

In operation, polyurethane lining requires no special maintenance. It is sufficient to periodically inspect the layer's condition and replace individual inserts in case of localized wear. Repairability is high: only the worn segment can be replaced without stopping the entire component or line. This significantly reduces downtime and optimizes repair costs.

## Where Polyurethane Lining Is Used: Components, Loads, Industries

Polyurethane lining is used where components come into contact with sand, ore, grain, sugar, or abrasive substances. The mining and metallurgical industries use polyurethane for lining screens, sieves, gravity pipes, and concrete mixer scrapers. In the food industry, polyurethane protects equipment from wear by grain, salt, or sugar, ensuring cleanliness and durability.

In agriculture, polyurethane lining is installed on gravity systems, bucket elevators, and guides, where constant contact with grain mass quickly wears out rubber or metal. In machine building and pipe rolling production, polyurethane is used for lining rollers, guides, and transport drums. Overall, polyurethane lining is implemented in 12 industrial sectors where maximum resistance to wear and impact is required.

More technical details and material information can be found in the [reference information](/informatsiya) section on the TIMOL website, and examples of products in the [polyurethane products catalog](/katalog).

## Custom Lining Manufacturing: Stages, Requirements, Advantages

The process of ordering polyurethane lining begins with a technical task or drawing. TIMOL engineers analyze working conditions, select hardness, type of polyurethane, and optimal layer thickness. Manufacturing is done by free casting, allowing for precise geometry and high surface quality even for complex parts.

All products are made to the size of the customer's component, taking into account installation specifics, whether it is a separate insert or seamless pipe lining. To place an order, it is sufficient to provide a drawing, sample, or description of the component. The engineering team helps determine load points, fastening methods, and provides support at all stages: from metal preparation to on-site installation.

The finished lining is delivered in a form convenient for installation: in sheets, blocks, parts, with holes for fastening. This reduces replacement time and allows for quick restoration of the component without stopping the entire line.

## Practical Conclusion: Why Switch to Polyurethane Lining

If components in your line wear out earlier than planned and downtimes due to part replacement become regular, polyurethane lining is the solution that offers 10 times greater wear resistance compared to rubber. The free casting technology, wide temperature range from -60 to +100 °C, and the ability to manufacture to drawing make polyurethane universal for most industrial tasks. Contact TIMOL specialists for material selection and lining calculation for your component: it is an investment in stable operation and savings on repairs. You can submit a request through [factory contacts](/contacts) or view the assortment in the [catalog](/katalog).