PUR for prototyping imitates PP properties.

A new polyurethane for casting durable functional prototypes of automotive parts provides polypropylene-like properties and a demold time of only 15 to 30 min. RenPiM 6460 polyurethane is available from the RenShape Solutions Tooling Group of Huntsman Advanced Materials (formerly Vantico), Auburn Hills, Mich. The new material was used recently to make 20 air-intake manifolds by Rapid Prototype Co., Auburn Hills, Mich. These manifolds are subjected to airflow and dynanometer testing to record horsepower and torque on an actual running engine. RenPiM 6460 has a Shore D hardness of 80, flex modulus of 181,000 psi, notched Izod impact strength of 1.1 ft-lb/in., elongation of 8%, and HDT of 282 F. Rapid Prototype finds cast urethane less expensive than stereolithography or SLS (selective laser sintering) for producing multiple prototype parts. Tel: [phone], www.renshape.com