Consulting with a rubber supplier or rubber manufacturer when choosing or designing a rubber product for an application ensures that the application has the essential design features necessary for the application to function properly. Rubber is a unique material—it’s not only a natural material but is a common synthetic material derived from thermosetting or thermoplastic… Read more »
Seal failure can cause serious problems for production and performance in mechanical or hydraulic systems. Without functioning seals, fluids and lubricants will seep out, contaminants can enter, or the required pressure will not be maintained. If seal failure occurs, the machinery or engine could seize up, and the entire system could go offline and lead… Read more »
Material applications for silicone rubber are often thought of as a sealant. True, the material is used for o-rings and gaskets, but it is much more versatile. Silicone rubber grommets and tubing are examples of the many other products and components that are made from the material. Silicone rubber is a highly-resistant elastomer, i.e., a… Read more »
Polyurethane and rubber are two common elastomeric materials used in the manufacturing of products in many industrial sectors. The automotive industry, in particular, relies on each of these materials for many parts—gaskets, tires, belts, and hoses—for example. When it comes to a vehicle’s suspension, polyurethane vs. rubber bushings are often compared for their similar mechanical… Read more »
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) and Viton are two thermoset elastomeric polymer materials that are used in applications across many industrial sectors. Though there are differences between the two, each material is noted for its very good compression strength, flexibility, and weatherability. However, what makes EPDM rubber sheeting a popular roofing material and Viton a… Read more »
Gaskets and o-rings are those familiar mechanical seals placed between separate substrates in order to prevent leakage when the substrates are connected. High-temperature seals may be more well-known than low-temperature ones, but in either instance, the sealant must meet material requirements to withstand extreme temperatures, immense pressure, and constant wear. Therefore, it’s important to know… Read more »
Silicone rubber is the most common synthetic polymer on the market today. It is a durable, resilient, and versatile material with applications ranging from silicone o-rings, gaskets, numerous sealants, and cable insulation to bottle nipples, tires, conveyor belts, and implants. Products and components manufactured with silicone rubber are used in such industrial sectors as aerospace,… Read more »
Gaskets are those familiar, if not indispensable, rubber components that are used in all industrial, manufacturing or mechanical processes. A gasket provides the sealing and cushioning material that fills the space between two mated parts or surfaces to prevent leakage or seepage of various lubricants, fluids, gases and fumes, and-or to join objects together under… Read more »
O-Rings are an integral component in most industrial and mechanical systems. Because o-ring material selection is driven by an industrial or mechanical system, that system will define which material is best suited to fulfill the application requirements of the O-Ring. Therefore, the best O-Ring material is the material best-suited for the application. Today, the familiar… Read more »
When it comes to selecting Buna vs. Viton for your sealing applications, material needs will be determined by its intended application. Viton and Buna are two durable, elastomer materials commonly used in sealing applications for O-rings and gaskets. O-rings and gaskets are seals that are compressed in an area between two or more surfaces that… Read more »
