How to Choose The Right Material for Your Custom Rubber Components
A wide range of rubber materials is available and these have varying properties. It is important, therefore, to consider how your custom rubber components will be used and then to select the most appropriate material. This will ensure that your components last for a long time, perform at peak efficiency and are cost-effective.
Understanding Rubber Material Basics
Rubber was initially only available in its natural form after harvesting from trees and plants. Now it is supplied in two basic types that have different properties and are suitable for various applications:
- Natural rubber is ideal for applications that require flexibility due to its elasticity and high tensile strength.
- Synthetic rubber offers specialised properties depending on its type. Nitrile, for example, is resistant to chemicals and oils, neoprene is durable and resists weathering, and silicone can withstand extremes of temperature.
No one material will have all the essential properties so it’s a matter of achieving a balance.
Factors Influencing Material Selection
To choose the correct type of rubber, you need to assess all the factors relating to your application and then choose the most suitable material.
Determine the:
- operating conditions that include what the rubber will be exposed to, temperature extremes, pressure, chemicals, UV light and ozone
- required tensile strength, hardness, elongation and tear resistance
- durability and longevity needed, which will be affected by the physical forces to which it is subjected
- regulations and standards you need to comply with, which will be particularly relevant for food processing and pharmaceuticals.
You need to choose a material that will provide adequate resistance to temperature, pressure and chemicals. It must have the require flexibility, strength and durability, and may need adequate conductivity and resistivity for electrical applications.
Common Rubber Materials and Their Applications (Detailed Breakdown)
There are a number of rubber materials available and each one has certain attributes that make it suitable for particular applications. By assessing what your application demands, you can then choose the material that best meets those demands.
Natural rubber was the only form of rubber available for a long time and it remains an excellent choice for a number of applications. It has high tensile strength, excellent elasticity and resists cutting and tearing. It also has good compression recovery and so may be used for seals where there are large closing and compression forces.
Rubber in its natural form can, however, be more expensive than synthetic versions and is also prone to cracking, degradation and a loss of elasticity when exposed to natural light for prolonged periods. It should not, therefore, be installed in an environment where it is subjected to excessive UV rays.
Solid rubber can be manufactured from a variety of materials and can be supplied as sheets, cut strips or complex gaskets and can be used for sealing or edging applications.
Sponge rubber may be used to create watertight seals to stop water penetration and is ideal for sealing applications where compression forces are low.
Nitrile rubber is a synthetic rubber with good mechanical properties and the ability to resist high temperatures and petroleum-based oils, hydraulic fluids, fuel and silicone greases.
Neoprene rubber is a general purpose synthetic rubber that is available in sponge or solid form. It is durable, has good chemical resistance and moderate resistance to UV rays and oils.
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a versatile synthetic rubber that has excellent resistance to weathering, UV rays, ozone and chemicals. It may also be subjected to extreme temperature ranges without deforming.
Silicone rubber is an ideal material for applications that experience extreme temperature ranges, being able to withstand temperatures between -55 and +300⁰C. It should only be used in static applications since it is prone to abrasion and tearing, with poor tensile strength. It can be pigmented to any RAL colour and so is often used for rubber seals that match a company’s branding, that identify hazards or are used in food safe environments.
Viton is used in diverse applications where high quality sealing is necessary due to its excellent chemical resistance and varied temperature range.
PVC is a common plastic that is relatively inexpensive and has good resistance to chemicals.
Styrene-butadiene is a general purpose synthetic rubber that offers a cost-effective alternative to natural rubber. It should not have contact with chemicals or UV rays but has high abrasion resistance and compression set.
The Role of Additives and Compounding
Natural rubber is extremely useful but synthetic rubber compounds extend the scope. By vulcanising and adding materials such as petroleum by-products, the resulting compounds are able to resist higher temperatures, greater pressure and the effect of chemicals, becoming more flexible, durable and cost-effective.
Rubber compounds now play a significant role in custom rubber components and extend the choice available to users.
Working with a Custom Rubber Manufacturer
Custom rubber is a complex subject and it’s best to work with a specialist manufacturer to be sure of the right outcome. At Gulf Rubber, we work closely with all our customers to assess their applications and decide what they need. Then we design and manufacture a component that will exactly meet those needs.
Work with a custom rubber manufacturer should start at the early stages of product development. That way, all elements of a product can be developed together and adaptations can be made where necessary to ensure a successful development.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
When choosing the material for a custom rubber component, the biggest pitfall is often a lack of preparation. Failing to assess the environment for a component will mean you can’t know what it has to deal with and so can’t choose materials that are suitable.
Adopting a DIY approach is usually a mistake because you may not understand the capabilities of all materials and so may not choose the most suitable one. What a properly selected and designed component provides is reliability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Choosing the cheapest option, usually a standard component, won’t do this and will probably work out more expensive long-term due to poorer performance and a shorter life.
At Gulf Rubber, we can advise you on the best course. Get in touch today and we’ll ensure you avoid all the pitfalls.