Industrial rubber is a much-needed material within several critical industries in Australia. Prevalent in industrial applications like mining, paper, agriculture, transportation, and power generation. Due to its flexibility, durability, and versatility, rubber is a prevalent material, as it is used in many forms and for many different purposes. This blog will outline everything you need to know about industrial rubber.
Atlas Wear Solutions is a leading expert in the industrial rubber industry, and we love providing our high-quality products and services to companies across Australia. Please do get in touch if you would like to speak to our experts.
What is Industrial Rubber?
Rubber is made up of polymers. Polymers can make up both natural and synthetic rubbers – so they are the base of all industrial rubbers used. Originally, rubber is a natural substance derived from latex or in the cells of rubber-producing plants. However, as technology has advanced, it’s much more common to use synthetic materials to create synthetic rubber. This is so we can create the ideal materials needed for specific industries.
Rubber has many unique properties, like the ability to both be stretched to shape and fitted. In several industries, like the medical industry, for example, natural rubber is still preferred. However, in both contexts, rubber is produced on a large, industrial-scale in many different industries.
Different Rubbers Have Different Qualities
There are approximately twenty different chemical types of synthetic rubber, and there are different grades within these types of rubber. Each type of rubber has its own individual properties, advantages, and disadvantages. So, when selecting your industrial rubber, you’ll need to be aware of all of these elements when making your decision. The popular types of synthetic rubber include:
- Natural Rubbers
- Butyl Rubber (IIR)
- Neoprene Rubber
- Nitrile Rubber
- EPDM Rubber
- Viton Rubber
What Are The Types of Industrial Rubber Products?
Industrial rubber is prevalent in many different types of industries. This means that there is a huge amount of products that industrial rubber can be used for, like:
- Lining
- Moulded products
- Anti-vibration mountings
- Adhesives and sealants
- Expansion Joints
- Gaskets
These are just some of the products that are created using industrial rubber.
Rubber Can Be Resistant to Chemicals
Industrial rubber is made to be chemically resistant to specific chemicals. It’s important when ordering industrial rubber to identify what chemicals the material will be exposed to. For example, the rubber seals on fuel tanks may need to be resistant to both diesel and biodiesel fuel. In the mobile industry, you may need to identify rubber resistance to fuel oil and cleaning materials. Your specific needs will vary by industry, but you must pick a material that will be chemically resistant.
Industrial Rubber Can Be Environmentally Resistant
The more environmentally resistant your industrial rubber is, the longer the service life it will have. When selecting the type of rubber you need, you’ll need to bear these elements in mind:
- Water
- Ozone
- Sunlight
- Heat
- Temperature
It’s essential to ensure that the rubber you’re working with is created optimally for the environment in which it will be. This is because the more environmentally resistant it is, the longer it will last.
Rubber Can Be Affected By Temperature
Rubber can remain in its position when it is in an optimal condition. High and low temperatures will affect the rubber properties: too high, and the polymer strength will be affected. Too low, and they can crack and break. Keeping your industrial rubber at the optimal temperature to work properly and maintain its strength and structure is essential.
Industrial rubber is a fascinating topic. Rubber is prevalent in so many industries and for different uses that we as consumers simply cannot underestimate the power and popularity this material has. What was once a natural substance, rubber, has been produced in 20 primary chemical forms, with different grades, properties, and uses. With its unique properties, and its ability to be moulded and enhanced to suit various industries, rubber is a material that won’t be losing popularity anytime soon.
At Atlas Wear Solutions, we love to help our clients find the perfect rubber type for their needs. Please do get in touch to speak to one of our experts today.