Understanding how synthetic rubber is made allows manufacturers to produce a wider range of products for use in both industrial and consumer markets. From tubing to tires, o-rings to gaskets, and sneakers to basketballs, synthetic rubber is an indispensable material used in the manufacture of countless goods and products around the globe. Knowing how synthetic… Read more »
Quick Guide to Silicone Rubber
In What Industries Is Silicone Rubber Used? Silicone rubber is used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer products. The material has excellent thermal and electrical properties as well as good resistance to extreme temperatures. It also exhibits very low gas permeability, making it ideal for applications requiring insulation or… Read more »
Rubber Parts for Medical Applications
Rubbers used in manufacturing medical-grade o-rings, tubing, seals, and like parts found in medical applications and devices are subject to different quality standards than rubbers used in other industries. Though rubber is a natural product, most rubbers on the market today are made of different elastomers, and synthetic polymers with elastic properties. Food-grade and medical-grade… Read more »
What You Need to Know About EPDM Chemical Compatibility
EPDM chemical compatibility with fluids is critical for achieving reliable, long-lasting performance in any sealing application. The material’s chemical compatibility and other unique resistance properties make EPDM well-suited for a wide range of industrial products. The high-density synthetic rubber, or elastomer, is composed of three monomers—ethylene, propylene, and a small percentage of diene—from its name—EPDM… Read more »
Pocket Guide to Rubber Engineering Terms
Rubber materials are vital to modern industrial societies. And, as with any industry, rubber engineering has its own language of common terms used to define its products and processes. Though “rubber” originated from the natural milky white latex sap derived from the rubber tree, today’s rubbers are made of synthetic elastomers, a type of polymer… Read more »
How is Mass Loaded Vinyl Used for Soundproofing Applications?
Mass-loaded vinyl soundproofing is used in industrial, commercial, and residential environments to create sound barriers between walls, flooring, ceilings, partitions, and other surfaces. Commonly referred to by its acronym, MLV, mass-loaded vinyl is an acoustic material often installed during construction or remodeling where soundproofing is needed or required.
Which Is Better: EPDM or TPO Roofing?
The question, “What is TPO roofing versus EPDM roofing?” is not an uncommon one asked in the commercial roofing industry. The short answer is that there are two kinds of synthetic rubber roofing membranes used widely in commercial roofing systems to seal roofs. Which material is better is another question, with the application of one… Read more »
3 Reasons Rubber Products Fail
Proper rubber testing is crucial to avoid catastrophic gasket failure or seal failure during the operation of heavy-duty manufacturing and industrial applications. Rubber components are, in general, known for their durability, elasticity, strength, and reliability. Today, the vast majority of rubber products are made of elastomeric polymers, synthetic compounds that hold similar properties as natural… Read more »
What You Need to Know About Quality Control
In the manufacturing of rubber products, Quality Control (QC) is increasingly essential for producing high-quality parts. Rubber manufacturers utilize QC as a quality management system to ensure their products meet or exceed customer satisfaction first and cost-effectively improve production and efficiency continually. Where QC was once designed to focus almost entirely on customer expectations, which… Read more »
Elastomer 101: The Basics of Rubber
The demand for industrial rubber products touches near every industrial sector. Rubber’s unique properties supply many performance-demanding applications, and it’s no wonder that the current market value of $106 billion in 2018, and an expected growth rate of 6% through 2027. It is widely used in the construction and infrastructure projects, and in terms of… Read more »