Polyurethane vs. Hypalon
Comparing Polyurethane and Hypalon the U.S. Navy Finds:
1993 Carderock Division Naval Surface Warfare Center
By Jason T. Marshall and Malcolm W. Whitford Combatant Craft Department
| Polyurethane | Hypalon | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (oz/yd2) | 40.0 +/-2 | 41.0 +/-3 |
| Tensile Strength (lbs/in) | Warp=820 Fill=635 What is Warp/Fill? | Warp=600 Fill=550 |
| Tearing Strength (lbs) | Warp=84 Fill=92 What is Warp/Fill? | Warp=80 Fill=80 |
| Puncture Resistance (lbs) | 285 | 225 |
| Coating Adhesion (lbs/in) | 39 | 16 |
| Abrasion Resistance cycles | Pass @ 5,000 | Pass @ 4,500 |
| 1993 Carderock Division Testing Results performed on the polyurethane and hypalon fabrics available at that time | ||
“Urethane coated fabrics have several attributes (stronger bonds, cleaner production, and weight savings) that make them an attractive replacement.”
In Addition:
- Improved Bonding Process
- “The heat weld yields a very strong and reliable join... may be used as soon as it has cooled to handling temperatures.” View Original ⇢
- Improved Repairability
- “Urethane-based adhesives allows usable bonds to be produced in 5 hours with a full cure in 24 hours. 7 days are required to allow Hypalon adhesive to fully cure” View Original ⇢
- Industry Opinion Favors Urethane
- “Industrial claims concerning urethane are striking. ‘X’ Corporation claims the switch in 1988 has cut the number of boats returned for maintenance by 70%.” View Original ⇢
- Government Experience Favors Urethane
- “Within the past two years, the United States Coast Guard has approved urethane-coated fabrics as an acceptable substitute for neoprene coated nylons.” View Original ⇢
- Successful Mission Completion Favors Urethane
- “Urethane coated fabric tubes can save weight while increasing strength, simplify supply problems concerning repair adhesives, allow quicker repairs and reduce potential health issues during manufacture.” View Original ⇢
2001 Carderock Division Naval Surface Warfare Center, Combat Craft Division
Lori L. Fanney (Navy Standard RIB Project Engineer)
- Improved Air Retention
- “The most readily notable difference of the polyurethane coated tubes is their superior air retention capability.” View Original ⇢
- Improved Fabric Performance
- “Tubes constructed of polyurethane coated fabric exhibit better key physical properties than tubes constructed of Hypalon coated fabric...better tensile strength, tearing strength, puncture resistance, coating adhesion, and abrasion resistance.” View Original ⇢
- Improved Service Life
- “The expected service life of a Hypalon tube is five years: the expected service life of a comparable polyurethane tube is seven to eight years.” View Original ⇢
- Improved Weight to Performance Ratio
- “Because polyurethane tubes are constructed using a heat-welded joining process, a lower overall tube weight can be achieved using comparable weight coated fabric.” View Original ⇢
