PU-PP-like
PU-PP-like is a flexible two-part polyurethane casting resin (for example PX232 or Uralite PP) tuned to replicate the toughness and living-hinge flexibility of polypropylene in vacuum-cast parts.
Reference datasheet — PU-PP-like is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
PU-PP-like grades and fills
PU-PP-like is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ultra-tough / living-hinge grade | Pick when parts must flex repeatedly (hinges, clips, battery doors) and impact survival matters more than stiffness. | 18 | 24 | 150 | 65 Shore D |
Pigmented / black-through cast | Use pre-pigmented resin when parts must be coloured through so scratches do not show a light substrate. | 23 | 27 | 65 | 72 Shore D |
Flame-retardant | Specify for electrical enclosures and appliance prototypes needing V-0 behaviour at 3 mm. | 24 | 26 | 30 | 78 Shore D |
Mineral / talc filled | Use for stiffer, more dimensionally stable housings where hinge flexibility is not required. | 32 | 15 | 80 Shore D | |
Heat-resistant PP-like | Use where cast parts see paint-bake, under-hood or hot-water exposure above 80 °C. | 32 | 35 | 25 | 80 Shore D |
Glass-fiber / glass-bead reinforced | Choose for maximum stiffness and creep resistance in cast prototypes simulating filled PP. | 40 | 6 | 84 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PU-PP-like is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MED | Medical / skin-contact tested | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilized / light-stable | Grade option |
NATDefault | Unfilled / Natural | Standard supply |
What is PU-PP-like?
PU-PP-like is a flexible two-part polyurethane casting resin (for example PX232 or Uralite PP) tuned to replicate the toughness and living-hinge flexibility of polypropylene in vacuum-cast parts. It gives 28 MPa tensile strength, 70% elongation, Shore D 72 hardness and 1.08 g/cm³ density, and is used where clips, hinges and snap features must flex without cracking; NAT, Tough, MIN, GF, FR, HT, UV, BLK and MED variants cover filled, flame-retardant and medical needs. Maximum service temperature is about 70 °C, the material is gummy to machine (score 55) and, as a thermoset, cannot be heat welded; aromatic grades yellow unless a UV-stable topcoat is used. PU-ABS-like is the stiffer alternative. PU-PP-like has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 55°C (131 °F). PU-PP-like has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 100% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 70% and the elastic modulus is 1 GPa (0.145 Msi).
What is PU-PP-like used for?
- Living hinges
- Flexible clips
- Container/lid prototypes
- Automotive interior trims
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.3%, better than 81% of polyurethane grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 24 MPa (3.48 ksi), worse than 100% of polyurethane grades
PU-PP-like properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polyurethane grades.
Physical4
PU-PP-like has a density of 1.08 g/cm³ (0.039 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of polyurethane grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 55°C (131 °F).
Mechanical11
PU-PP-like has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 100% of polyurethane grades. Elongation at break is 70% and the elastic modulus is 1 GPa (0.145 Msi).
Thermal10
PU-PP-like is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 60% of polyurethane grades. Thermal expansion is 130 µm/m·K (72.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PU-PP-like is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 18 kV/mm (457.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 58% of polyurethane grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PU-PP-like takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 83% of polyurethane grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability6
PU-PP-like's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polyurethane grades); weldability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polyurethane family
Yield strength against density for every polyurethane grade FabDigit runs. PU-PP-like is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PU-PP-like
Is PU-PP-like easy to machine?
Machines and drills easily but is gummy — use sharp single-flute or high-rake tools, high speed with low feed, and air blast to avoid melted swarf and burrs.
Can PU-PP-like be welded?
Thermoset, so no thermal welding: join with PU or cyanoacrylate adhesives, or cast-in inserts and self-tapping screws.
Can PU-PP-like be formed, bent or molded?
Degas both components, mix by weight ratio, cast under vacuum into silicone tooling at ~60–70 °C mold temperature, demold in 20–60 min and oven post-cure 2–8 h at 70–80 °C to reach full properties and dimensional stability.
PU-PP-like chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| aromatic isocyanate prepolymer (MDI-basesome non-yellowing grades use aliphatic HDI/IPDI chemistry | 40 – 55 | 48 |
| catalyst / chain extender / defoamer | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| mineral or glass filler (filled variantstalc, CaCO3, glass beads or milled fibre in MIN/GF grades | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| pigment / UV stabilizer / flame retardan | 0 – 15 | 1 |
| polyol blend (polyether or polyester, Pachain extender + polyol; sets flexibility and hinge performance | ≥ 40 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PU-PP-like?
Sands and primes readily; solvent-based PU or acrylic paints, soft-touch coatings, pad printing and vacuum metallizing all adhere well — degrease and remove silicone mold release first, and use UV-stable topcoats since aromatic grades yellow.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PU-PP-like in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- PP Simulation Resin
How much does PU-PP-like cost?
PU-PP-like is a high-cost polyurethane ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PU-PP-like — frequently asked
What is PU-PP-like used for?
PU-PP-like is typically used for living hinges, flexible clips, container/lid prototypes and automotive interior trims. In short: cast living-hinge resin; highest elongation PU prototype; gummy to machine.
What is the yield strength of PU-PP-like?
PU-PP-like has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 28 MPa (4.06 ksi) — weaker than 100% of polyurethane grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PU-PP-like easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polyurethane grades). Machines and drills easily but is gummy — use sharp single-flute or high-rake tools, high speed with low feed, and air blast to avoid melted swarf and burrs.
Can PU-PP-like be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Thermoset, so no thermal welding: join with PU or cyanoacrylate adhesives, or cast-in inserts and self-tapping screws.
What surface finishes work on PU-PP-like?
Sands and primes readily; solvent-based PU or acrylic paints, soft-touch coatings, pad printing and vacuum metallizing all adhere well — degrease and remove silicone mold release first, and use UV-stable topcoats since aromatic grades yellow.
Can PU-PP-like be formed, bent or molded?
Degas both components, mix by weight ratio, cast under vacuum into silicone tooling at ~60–70 °C mold temperature, demold in 20–60 min and oven post-cure 2–8 h at 70–80 °C to reach full properties and dimensional stability.
What is the maximum service temperature of PU-PP-like?
PU-PP-like is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PU-PP-like cost?
PU-PP-like is a high-cost polyurethane ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- PX 200 / PX 220 series polyurethane vacuum casting resin technical data — Axson Technologies (Sika) (2021)
- Uralite polyurethane casting systems data sheets — H.B. Fuller / Uralite (2020)
- Hei-Cast polyurethane casting resin series — H&K Japan (2020)
- Polyurethane thermoset property ranges — CAMPUS / CES material data (2022)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 plastics test methods — ISO (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.