PUR rod natural

Original Vulkollan® D15 Rods: The high-end elastomer for extreme dynamics

When conventional plastics and standard polyurethanes reach their mechanical and thermal performance limits, it is the hour of Original Vulkollan® D15. As one of the most powerful polyurethane elastomers worldwide – manufactured on the basis of Desmodur® 15 (Covestro) – Vulkollan® rods set the absolute benchmark in terms of mechanical load capacity and durability.

For customised high-tech components in mechanical engineering and conveyor technology, you receive our Vulkollan® rods in the perfectly graded hardness levels 70 Shore A, 80 Shore A and 90 Shore A.

Material properties: Why choose Original Vulkollan® D15 rods?

The protected material Vulkollan® D15 is distinguished by a unique molecular design that gives it physical properties that no standard polyurethane can achieve:

• Highest dynamic load capacity: Minimal self-heating (hysteresis) even under extreme, high-frequency load cycles in continuous use.

• Absolute maximum in abrasion resistance: Unsurpassed wear and tear resistance, ideal for extreme mechanical contact protection.

• Minimal compression set: After strong, prolonged compression, the rod returns almost completely to its original shape – no "flat spot" effect.

• High impact elasticity: Excellent damping capacity across the entire hardness spectrum.

• Good media resistance: Outstandingly resistant to oils, greases, petrol as well as many solvents and ozone.

The Vulkollan® Shore hardnesses compared: 70, 80 or 90 Shore A?

By choosing the right Shore hardness, you tune the elasticity and deformation behaviour of the Vulkollan® rod precisely to your design:

Technical property	Vulkollan® 70 Shore A	Vulkollan® 80 Shore A	Vulkollan® 90 Shore A
Hardness level	Soft	Medium-hard	Hard
Dynamic capacity	Extremely high	Maximum	Maximum
Abrasion & tear resistance	Very high	Extremely high	Absolute maximum
Damping capacity	Maximum	Excellent	Good
Dimensional stability under load	Low / Flexible	Good	Extremely high

Vulkollan® rod 70 Shore A – Maximum damping & flexibility

The softer version offers maximum impact elasticity and deflection. Perfectly suited for flexible coupling elements, extremely stressed damping elements or highly dynamic soft seals.

Vulkollan® rod 80 Shore A – The all-rounder for demanding mechanics

The universal standard hardness in the high-end range. It closes the gap between high load-bearing capacity and pronounced damping capacity. Ideal for heavily loaded roller coverings and stops.

Vulkollan® rod 90 Shore A – Highest load-bearing capacity & wear protection

The hardest Vulkollan® variant in the range. It barely deforms even under extreme static and dynamic pressure and offers the maximum cut, tear and abrasion resistance for absolute heavy-duty applications.

Typical areas of application for Vulkollan® rods

Wherever failures are expensive and maximum service lives are required, the Original Vulkollan® D15 rod is used:

• Heavy-duty rollers, guide wheels and drive wheels in conveyor technology

• Highly dynamically stressed coupling elements and joint discs

• Strippers and doctor blades with extreme cycle times in mechanical engineering

• Shaping dies and punches in sheet metal forming

• Heavily stressed damper, buffer and stop elements

Technical profile & temperature resistance

Vulkollan® D15 retains its outstanding elastic properties over a far larger temperature window than ordinary elastomers:

• Continuous service temperature: approx. -30°C to +80°C.

• Short-term thermal load: up to approx. +110°C / +120°C.

• Behaviour under extreme conditions: Even at low temperatures, the material remains cold-flexible and, compared with standard PU, shows a significantly lower tendency to become brittle.

Delivery forms & available versions

• Diameter range: Available from Ø 5 mm to Ø 150 mm.

• Lengths & cut pieces: Standard length is 1,000 mm. Individual custom lengths, cut pieces or short lengths can be realised on request.

• Colour as a mark of authenticity: Original Vulkollan® D15 is supplied from the factory in the standard colour natural/light yellow. Under the influence of UV light and oxygen, the material characteristically darkens from honey yellow through to dark brown/black. This colour change is a quality feature of the raw material and does not impair the mechanical performance in any way.

• Machining & processing: Vulkollan® rods can be machined excellently (turned, milled) with suitably sharp tools and high cutting speeds and processed precisely into finished components.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Original Vulkollan® D15 rods

Why do Vulkollan® rods discolour brown or black? The darkening is a material-specific property of the Desmodur® 15 component. The visual change caused by UV radiation and light is completely normal, purely cosmetic in nature and has no negative influence whatsoever on the mechanical load capacity, elasticity or abrasion resistance.

What makes Vulkollan® D15 better than standard polyurethane (PUR)? While standard polyurethanes overheat and fatigue severely under high, rapid bending stress or continuous pressure, Vulkollan® D15 remains dimensionally stable and thermally stable. It offers significantly higher mechanical strength, a minimal compression set and a service life many times longer under extreme conditions.

How are Vulkollan® rods best machined? Due to the high toughness of the material, the use of very sharp tools (HSS or carbide) with a large chip space as well as sufficient cooling is recommended for machining (turning, milling) in order to achieve clean surfaces and exact tolerances.