Rubber Products
Rubber products are used in almost every industry and can be found in just about every home. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and thicknesses. Noted for their malleability, ability to absorb vibration and sound, and resistance to moisture and heat extremes, rubber products can be used for endless amounts of applications.
Quick links to Rubber Products Information
Process of Rubber Products
While there are variations in specific rubber molding methods, all rubber manufacturers use heat and pressure to form molded rubber products.
The three most common methods in the rubber molding process are:
- Injection Molding
- Compression Molding
- Transfer Molding
Each of these rubber molding methods is different, but all involve pouring liquid rubber material into a mold where it is cured in an oven and cooled, creating the finished product. Some processes, like the one that will be discussed in the paragraph below, involve more than just rubber materials, but glass, metal, or fabric as well. Rubber is an excellent material for situations that require a material to give and return to its original shape. Varieties of rubber used in these products vary, but most commonly is either natural or synthetic. Synthetic rubber types include silicone, neoprene, and nitrile. Specific industries that benefit from rubber products include the automobile, appliance controls, lawn and garden, sporting goods, medical, electrical, governmental, and recreational industries.
Materials Used in Rubber Products
A specific type of rubber product is bonded rubber. There are a few basic elements that are required for rubber bonding products; a bonding agent, a rubber, and a substrate. One of the most well-known bonds is the rubber bonded to the metal combination. When bonded to metal, the options are limitless. Aluminum and steel are two of the many metallic substances utilized with rubber in multiple applications and industries. Other metals that are strong and durable include titanium, brass, and copper.
However, aluminum bonding is the most popular because it has the additional benefits of being cheap and lightweight. The adhesives used to bond the metal and rubber together vary on the combinations, although water-based adhesives are used more often than industrial adhesives because of their environmentally friendly attributes.
Applications for Rubber Products
Common bonded rubber applications include small machining parts like gaskets and gears as well as automotive parts such as steering wheel parts and brake pads. Medical manufacturers also utilize these materials for certain surgical instruments.