How To Determine What Type Of Rubber You Need For Your Next Project

Rubber is a material that can be produced from plants or can be produced synthetically. It is often used in a variety of materials, and you may need to have rubber parts manufactured for your new product. However, there are several types of rubber to choose from that all come with their own properties.

Natural Rubber

Natural rubber is the original type of rubber and comes from a tree. It is often used in various products such as:

  • Adhesives
  • Tires
  • Roofing
  • Gloves
  • Insulation
  • Flooring

This type of rubber has a very high tear and tensile strength. It is very resistant to abrasion and extreme weather. It is also resistant to water swell.

Silicone Rubber

This is another type of rubber that is suitable for very extreme weather conditions. It is also resistant to UV rays, fire, and the ozone. It is highly malleable. Best of all, when you need a material that is not bio-reactive, silicone is typically the best option. For example, silicone would be great for rubber used in the creation of medical products. The products often made using silicone include:

  • Implants
  • Baby care products
  • Respiratory masks
  • Makeup
  • Food storage products
  • Instruments

One of the downsides of silicone is that it is more expensive than other types of rubber.

SBR Rubber

If you need rubber that is very hard and durable, SBR rubber is one option to consider. With this type of rubber, your product will be more resistant to abrasion, compression set, and water swell than other rubber products of a similar price. It is most often used for:

  • Shoe soles
  • Seals
  • Cutting boards
  • Certain specialized gaskets

This type of rubber can be exposed to hydraulic fluids and is therefore often used for seals in hydraulic systems. In the past, it was also used to make chewing gum.

Fluorosilicone Rubber

For a highly specialized application, you might need something like Fluorosilicone rubber. This type of rubber is very resistant to petroleum oils and synthetic lubricants. As a result, they are often used in aerospace applications.

EPDM Rubber

If you will need excellent insulation and protection from vibrations, such as if you are creating a product that will be used in the automotive industry, EPDM rubber is a good option. 

Determining the type of rubber your business might need can be very challenging. There are several other types of rubber, such as butyl rubber and nitrile rubber, but once you choose the right type of rubber, you will be able to create a product that is more long-lasting. For more information, contact a rubber parts manufacturing service near you.


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