When selecting or developing a rubber product for an application, consulting with a rubber supplier or manufacturer is essential to ensure the product has all the necessary design elements. Unique among rubber compounds, Rubber can be derived from either natural or synthetic sources, including thermosetting and thermoplastic elastomers.
Most items sold under the rubber umbrella are, in fact, elastomers. Rubber tolerance, chemical compatibility, the requirements for a rubber’s material’s resistance, and the additional procedures needed to finish the product can all be broken down by a rubber manufacturer or rubber supplier. It knows it is crucial when designing or selecting a rubber product for a given use.
1. Where does Rubber come from?
Rubber is a polymer that exhibits elongation and contraction. It can be produced as well as found in nature. Rubber products have been in use by humans for millennia. Public recognition of its use as an essential industrial raw material occurred in the 19th century.
Essential aspects of rubber design to be aware of and consider when placing an order are:
2. Acceptance of Rubber
With each passing day, the demand of rubber products in the market is also increasing. With the advancement of technologies in the market, starting from gas pipes to all other household issues are available in the market to person the person is willing to drive.
Tolerance tables supplied by the Rubber Manufacturers Association show that a good rubber producer will do their best to ensure that the finished product falls within those limits (RMA). The tolerance tables are a valuable tool for rubber manufacturers to connect with their clients in various fields.
3. The Principle of Chemical Compatibility
Various thermosetting and thermoplastic customers are used in the production of rubber products. These materials are tailored throughout the show for final products that require certain qualities. One important quality is the ability to resist a wide range of substances.
An environment’s corrosiveness can be considered when developing a rubber product or component. The appropriate material for a given task is guaranteed by checking for chemical compatibility. Ensure the item you’re using is suitable for its intended chemical environment.
4. The measure of the Toughness or Resistance of a Material
The hardness of Rubber products and similar elastomers is a crucial design factor in establishing the material’s durability. The durometer measures how challenging something is. A durometer is both a unit of measurement and the name of the instrument or gauge used to determine a material’s hardness, which can lead to some confusion.
If you want to know how tough a rubber or elastomer is, you need a Shore durometer. The durometer is used throughout production to guarantee the material achieves the appropriate hardness for a specific usage, such as a gasket or tire. A material’s ability to withstand localised deformation in the presence of a force is a crucial property. When requesting samples from rubber products manufacturers, resistance is an important quality to look for in the raw materials.
Processes for achieving the desired form include Forming, Trimming, Deburring, and Hollowing.
- When producing molded rubber products or parts, a mould cavity is created that accurately represents the final rubber product’s geometry. Tolerances in dimensions, or the slight changes in size that occur when a part is cut, can impact the final form.
- Minor variations in molded rubber items might originate from the cavity size of a mould, expected shrinkage during curing or cooling, or the shrinking of the base elastomeric compound.
- Secondary processes, which occur after mounding, are crucial design elements. Rubber products are frequently used in various applications, and these processes can all lead to dimensional variation in the final product.
- Tolerance-friendly geometries of rubber parts are advantageous to secondary operations, and mass manufacturing will have less dimensional variation and be more cost-effective; therefore, keep this in mind when purchasing from or designing for a rubber manufacturer or supplier.
Conclusion
Consulting an expert as soon as possible in the design process will ensure that your rubber product has all the features you need. It, in turn, can help save resources down the road. If you need assistance determining which rubber product design characteristics and tolerance bands are best for your specific application, our specialists are here to help.