---
title: "Elevator Buckets for the Mining Industry: Polyurethane vs. Steel and Rubber"
description: "Discover why TIMOL's polyurethane elevator buckets outperform steel and rubber in the mining industry. Request a custom design quote."
lang: "en"
date: "2026-07-17"
canonical_url: "https://timol.com.ua/en/statti/shneki-pogruzochnye-dlya-gornodobyvayuschaya-promyshlennost"
---
# Elevator Buckets for the Mining Industry: Polyurethane vs. Steel and Rubber

Another stoppage on the processing line: metal elevator buckets wear out and crack before the quarter ends. For engineers, it's crucial not just to replace components but to find a material that truly reduces the frequency of repairs and conveyor stoppages. Polyurethane elevator buckets offer a lifespan 10 times greater than rubber, do not rust, do not deform under load, and effectively absorb rock impacts. In this article, we explore why polyurethane is more advantageous for buckets, which components should be converted to polyurethane, and what benefits this brings to your enterprise.

## Why Polyurethane Outperforms Metal and Rubber in Mining Industry Elevator Buckets

Polyurethane elevator buckets are significantly more resistant to abrasive wear than their rubber and metal counterparts. In the mining industry, buckets are constantly exposed to sharp particles, dust, moisture, and chemical reagents that quickly degrade standard materials. TIMOL's polyurethane boasts wear resistance 10 times greater than rubber, operates in a temperature range from -60 to +100 °C, and is unaffected by frost or sudden temperature changes.

Polyurethane components are immune to corrosion, which is critical in mines and processing plants with high humidity and aggressive additives. The mechanical strength and elasticity of the material prevent buckets from cracking even when accidentally struck by large ore or coal fractions. Unlike steel, polyurethane dampens vibrations, does not create noise pollution in the workshop, and its lighter weight reduces wear on the elevator belt and bearing assemblies.

## Comparison of Wear Resistance and Key Material Characteristics

TIMOL's polyurethane demonstrates the best abrasion resistance in DIN 53516 tests. The table below presents specific characteristics of polyurethane and main alternatives like rubber, caprolon, and steel. For the mining sector, this means that a polyurethane bucket lasts longer and requires less frequent maintenance.

| Material | Abrasion DIN 53516, mm3 | Working Temperature, °C | Density, g/cm3 | Tensile Strength, MPa | Hardness |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------|----------------|------------------------|--------------------|
| Polyurethane (TIMOL) | 20-45 | -60...+100 | 1.05-1.25 | 25-60 | 50A - 70D |
| SBR Rubber | 100-200 | -40...80 | 0.94-1.1 | 8-20 | 40A - 80A |
| NBR Rubber | 80-150 | -30...100 | 1-1.3 | 10-25 | 40A - 90A |
| Caprolon (PA6/PA66) | 30-90 | -40...100 | 1.13-1.15 | 60-85 | 75D - 85D |
| Structural Steel |, | -40...500 | 7.7-7.9 | 370-700 | 120-250 HB |
| Wear-resistant Steel Hardox |, | -40...250 | 7.8-7.85 | 1250-1600 | 370-540 HB |

Abrasion for polyurethane is 20-45 mm3, for SBR rubber, 100-200 mm3. This means that even compared to the best rubber compounds, polyurethane wears 3-5 times slower under the same conditions. Steel lacks a direct DIN abrasion index, but real wear is accelerated by corrosion and impact loads, leading to cracks and loss of bucket geometry. Polyurethane, however, retains its shape and properties even with regular contact with abrasives.

## Which Components and Parts Should Be Converted to Polyurethane Buckets

The key element for replacement is the elevator bucket, bolted to the belt and directly contacting the flow of ore, coal, or gravel. It is particularly advisable to use polyurethane in nodes where the material has sharp edges, dust, moisture, and regular temperature fluctuations. Polyurethane buckets are suitable for elevators of any type that transport abrasive bulk, concentrates, mining mass, as well as for loading and unloading intermediate hoppers.

Buckets are manufactured using the free casting method, which allows for products with minimal internal stresses and precise geometry. TIMOL produces buckets according to standard sizes or custom drawings, ensuring a perfect fit to the belt and mounting holes. Installation is done with standard bolts through holes provided in the bucket design. To enhance durability, it is important to evenly tighten the fasteners and check for misalignment on the belt.

> **Engineer's Tip:**
> If particularly abrasive or large-fraction materials are transported in the mine or plant, I recommend ordering buckets with the maximum possible wall thickness and polyurethane hardness around 60 Shore D. This will help avoid punctures and extend the maintenance interval.

## Service Life and Impact on the Enterprise

Switching to polyurethane buckets significantly reduces the number of emergency stoppages caused by wear or breakage of the working part. Thanks to wear resistance 10 times greater than rubber, polyurethane buckets last much longer even in the toughest conditions. This reduces costs for spare parts procurement, lowers the risk of conveyor downtime, and prevents productivity loss due to unplanned repairs.

The lighter weight of the polyurethane bucket (density 1.05-1.25 g/cm3) reduces stress on the belt and bearings, directly affecting the longevity of the entire elevator assembly. Since polyurethane dampens vibrations and does not create additional noise, equipment operation becomes more stable, and the noise level in the workshop decreases. For mining enterprises, this means not only savings on parts but also stability in the production cycle.

## Features of Operating Polyurethane Buckets in the Mining Industry

Polyurethane does not absorb moisture and does not degrade under the influence of most acids, alkalis, mineral salts, and reagents commonly encountered in mineral extraction and processing. Even with prolonged exposure to solutions or splashes, the polyurethane bucket retains its geometry, does not swell, and does not crack. Importantly, the material maintains elasticity and impact strength throughout the entire working temperature range, from -60 to +100 °C.

The impact resistance of polyurethane allows the bucket to withstand accidental impacts from large rock pieces or metal foreign inclusions without cracking. This is especially valuable for nodes where it is impossible to completely avoid oversized materials. Additionally, polyurethane does not corrode, unlike steel, and therefore does not require additional anti-corrosion protection or painting. The bucket's lifespan is determined only by the intensity of work, not environmental impact.

Learn more about other polyurethane solutions for the mining sector on the [“Mining Industry”](/galuzi/gornodobyvayuschaya_promyshlennost) page.

## Selecting Hardness and Manufacturing Features for Specific Tasks

The choice of polyurethane hardness for the bucket is determined by the nature of the load, transportation speed, fraction size, and operating temperature. For the mining industry, a range of 60 Shore D is optimal, providing enough resistance to wear while remaining elastic enough to absorb impacts. For particularly aggressive environments, harder or softer compounds within 50 Shore A, 70 Shore D are permissible.

Manufacturing polyurethane buckets using the free casting method allows for consideration of all the customer's node features. TIMOL accepts drawings, sketches, or even samples of worn parts, manufactures molds, and casts buckets of the required geometry. This is important for non-standard nodes or replacing imported components that are difficult to find on the market. During design, all requirements for seating, holes, wall thickness, and fastening type are considered.

## How to Order Polyurethane Elevator Buckets for Your Conditions

To achieve optimal results, TIMOL will manufacture buckets according to standard sizes or custom drawings for your specific task. For calculations, you need to provide data on the type of load, fraction size, operating temperature, dimensions, and method of attaching the bucket to the belt. The design is adapted to the specific elevator or installation node. You can view the range and submit a manufacturing request in the [“Elevator Buckets” catalog](/katalog). Additional technical consultations on material and hardness selection are available in the [information section](/informatsiya).

## Conclusion

Polyurethane elevator buckets ensure longer service life, reduce emergency stoppages, and provide stability in transporting abrasive loads in the mining industry. If you want to select hardness, calculate lifespan, or order buckets according to custom drawings, contact TIMOL through [contacts](/contacts) for engineer consultation and manufacturing tailored to your conditions.