How does polyurethane behave in different climates?

Polyurethane plastic has superior durability compared to its rubber counterpart, as well as a higher load-bearing capacity and resistance to environmental degradation. This makes it suitable in a range of conditions, including cold, hot and wet climates.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we provide bespoke rubber products to clients operating across several industries. Our team is here to support you with choosing rubber or polyurethane for your specific offshore application to ensure it performs optimally in harsh environments whilst maintaining a long and effective lifespan.

Our essential guide to polyurethane also provides more information on polyurethane uses, as well as its properties and benefits.

Polyurethane plastic in different climates

Polyurethane plastic is used in applications in a range of environments and different climates because of its exceptional versatility, high operating temperature range of 40°C to 120°C and superior resistance to water, chemicals and weathering.

Hot climates

Polyurethane is often chosen in hot climates, particularly in heavy industry and engineering sectors, because of its range of strong properties. It shows versatility across applications, performing well in offshore and wind energy components exposed to sun and heat, automotive parts near engines and construction materials exposed to prolonged sun light.

Within its operating range of around 80°C to 100°C and depending on the Shore hardness, polyurethane has excellent thermal stability and maintains reliable performance in these conditions. Under this heat, polyurethane maintains elasticity which helps absorb shock, vibration and dynamic loads, which reduces the risk of sudden failure.

Polyurethane is also resistant to abrasion, oils, fuels and chemicals, meaning it outperforms many rubber materials in wear resistance and chemically aggressive environments. Its abrasion resistance means it is ideal for rollers, conveyor systems and seals in high-friction environments, whilst its oil, fuel and chemical resistance means it resists swelling and degradation from hydrocarbons better than many rubbers, making it particularly valuable in oil and gas, automotive and aerospace.

Polyurethane plastic can be engineered to suit specific thermal conditions which allows for tailored solutions across industries. A polyether-based system means polyurethane products are better for heat and moisture, whilst other additives help to improve thermal stability and oxidation resistance.

Cold climates

Polyurethane plastic is used in cold climates because it performs reliably in demanding outdoor and industrial environments due to its ability to retain flexibility, impact resistance and mechanical strength at low temperatures. Since polyurethane can withstand freezing temperatures, dynamic loads and continuous mechanical strength, it is useful in offshore and wind energy and aerospace.

In sub-zero conditions reaching -30°C or lower – depending on formulation – polyurethane retains elasticity, meaning the risk of cracking is lower compared to other rigid plastics and some rubber materials. The strong impact resistance of polyurethane ensures it maintains toughness under sudden loads in cold temperatures and absorbs shock without fracturing, even if there is a significant temperature drop, making it extremely valuable in industries like automotive, construction and offshore and wind energy.

The consistent mechanical performance of polyurethane in low temperatures means it retains much of its tensile strength and tear resistance, ensuring predictable performance in critical components like seals, rollers and bushings.

Polyurethane plastic performs reliably in outdoor performance, especially in applications with prolonged exposure to cold air, wind and fluctuating temperatures. It can be customised for extreme cold conditions, with formulations like polyether-based polyurethane making it easy to tailor the material for enhanced low-temperature flexibility.

Wet climates

Polyurethane plastic is used in wet climates because of its durability and excellent resistance to water and hydrolysis, which allows it to maintain reliable mechanical performance in damp, humid and water-exposed environments, such as offshore and wind energy, oil and gas and marine industries. Polyurethane is implemented into applications used in these industries because it provides long-term reliability and corrosion protection.

Polyurethane naturally resists water ingress and does not degrade easily in wet conditions, which is a critical property of polyurethane for wet climates. This resistance means that polyurethane maintains its structural integrity in marine, offshore and outdoor applications. It is also resistant to mould and microbial growth, making it less prone to biological degradation than other organic materials and is suitable for long-term use in damp or submerged conditions.

As well as maintaining mechanical properties when wet and allowing for customisable formulations for moisture-heavy environments, polyurethane plastic is also resistant to oils, fuels and mild chemicals, and abrasion and erosion. This means it performs well in wet, high-wear environments, such as slurry handling or marine contact, commonly found in offshore and wind energy components, marine equipment and protective coatings.

Selecting the right Shore hardness for your application

Shore hardness measures how soft or hard a polyurethane plastic material is, typically on the Shore A (flexible) to Shore D (rigid) scales. When selecting the right Shore hardness for your application, it is important to match the material with the application’s demands, and these differ by industry.

The preferred hardness for certain industries include:

• Oil and gas / offshore: 90-95 Shore A → Shore D
• Marine: 80-95 Shore A
• Wind energy: 85-95 Shore A
• Automotive: 70-95 Shore A
• Aerospace: 80 Shore A → Shore D
• Construction: 85-95 Shore A
• Leisure: 70-90 Shore A

Softer polyurethane (70-80 Shore A) is better for flexibility, sealing and vibration damping, commonly found in automotive comfort parts and leisure applications. A medium hardness (80-90 Shore A) is versatile and part of the general-purpose range since it balances durability with flexibility across multiple industries. Harder polyurethane (90+ Shore A/Shore D) is best for high-load, high-wear environments, like oil and gas, offshore and wind energy and construction.

Choosing rubber or polyurethane

Choosing rubber or polyurethane for your project is entirely dependent on the application.

Rubber excels in vibration damping, noise reduction and low-cost flexibility, but polyurethane generally remains superior for high-stress applications because it has a higher load-beating capacity, tear strength and chemical resistance. Whilst polyurethane lasts longer than rubber, it is stiffer and more expensive.

To ensure you select the right materials for your bespoke project, it is important to work with expert rubber manufacturers on your project from the outset.

Aquaseal Rubber can provide bespoke polyurethane plastic

Polyurethane plastic is used across several industries. For example, the motorsport industry uses polyurethane products and polyurethane is important in the automotive industry overall. Whilst critical in these sectors and numerous others, polyurethane plays an essential role in the safe operation of offshore wind farms in the UK and abroad, as well as the transportation of fluids in oil and gas and aerospace sectors.

At Aquaseal Rubber, our team are here to support you through every stage of your project, helping you to understand how polyurethane plastic behaves in different climates so you select the right material and Shore hardness for your application. As expert rubber manufacturers UK and global customers choose to collaborate with, we can exceed your expectations in any project.

Contact us to see how we can apply polyurethane plastic solutions to your next project, no matter your requirements.