Industrial rubber has a wide variety of applications in various sectors today, such as pharmaceutical, food, medical, and aerospace. This is because of its various properties like electrical resistance, compression set, flexibility, and aging resistance. These properties impact the performance of the rubber in various ways.
For example, compression-molded silicone rubber is used in medical devices that need to be sterilized at high temperatures. This is due to high temperature resistance and low compression set properties, without which it would crack and get damaged.
Let us now continue exploring the impact of the other properties on industrial rubber below.
Which Properties Matter Most for Industrial Rubber and Why?
Properties like flexibility, aging resistance, water resistance, and compression set, among others, matter for industrial rubber. Let’s explore them in detail below.
- Chemical and Solvent Resistance
Industrial rubber can resist degradation from chemicals or solvents since it’s often used in stressful environments. Its applications include sealing components in high-pressure systems, lining bulk-material equipment, and on conveyor belt surfaces.
Consider the resistance of different industrial rubber types, like EPDM, silicone rubber made from compression molding, and Neoprene, as seen below:
| Industrial Rubber | What It Can Resist |
| EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) | Various chemicals, including Acetamide, Ammonia and Acetaldehyde. |
| Compression Molded Silicone | Concentrated sulphuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, Bromine, Hydrogen Peroxide, solvents. alkalis |
| Neoprene | Oils of Various types and chemicals like Acetone, Acetylene, Acrylic Acid, and Alkyl Chlorides |
Table 1: Resistance of Industrial Rubber Types
- Flexibility
The flexibility of industrial rubber is due to the pi electrons in double bonds present between the carbon atoms. These bonds lead to increased flexibility, stretchiness and resistance to cracks or degradation.
Take a look at the table below to get an idea about the flexibility of different types of industrial rubber.
| Industrial Rubber | How Flexible Is It |
| EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) | Moderate |
| Silicone Rubber Prepared From Compression Moulding | High |
| Natural Rubber | High |
Table 2: Resistance of Industrial Rubber Types (EPDM, Viton, Neoprene)
This flexibility allows industry professionals to mold these types of rubber into different shapes and sizes for various applications. For instance, compression moulded silicone rubber is used to manufacture medical devices and seals for high-temperature applications.
Similarly, natural rubber and EPDM rubber are used to manufacture the following:
i) Natural rubber: industrial and automotive seals
ii) EPDM rubber: outdoor seals, weatherstripping elements
- Compression Set & Temperature Resistance
The tendency of industrial rubber to reset to its natural shape is known as compression set property. It is vital in ensuring that gaskets maintain their seals over time without losing structural stability.
For example, industrial silicone rubber parts maintains its compression set for a temperature range between -60 to + 250 degrees Celsius. However, they need to be post-cured after that, so you need to have a good post-curing agent with you.
Alternatively, EPDM maintains its compression set for a temperature range between -40 to + 150 degrees Celsius. Industry professionals use these ranges as parameters before using them for weather stripping, dynamic seals and medical devices, to name a few applications
- Ageing Resistance
Industrial rubber undergoes a lot of strain when it’s used. For example, rubber gaskets used for weatherstripping and car door gaskets are exposed to UV light, heat and ozone. Alternatively, compression molded silicone rubber is used for medical devices requiring high-temperature sterilisation, and thermal barrier seals used in engines. In such instances, their resistant nature due to the double inter-atomic bonds prevents degradation of these seals and gaskets over time.
- Water Resistance
Water resistance is another key property of industrial rubber, since it is used for various waterproofing applications. Its waterproofing capability prevents water from entering and damaging engines and other devices. The reason behind this property is its molecular structure and intermolecular force. For example, silicone rubber has a helical molecular structure and a low intermolecular force. Additionally, its methyl groups are located externally and can rotate freely, making it highly water repellent.
Two other types of industrial rubber commonly used for waterproofing are Nitrile rubber and EPDM. These industrial rubber types are used for the following waterproofing purposes:
i) EPDM: Roofing membranes, plumbing system gaskets
ii) Nitrile Rubber: Waterproof rings, fuel seals
- Electrical Insulation
The high-binding energy of silicone rubber parts is due to siloxane bonds that make them resistant to electrical degradation. This property ensures that people do not get electrocuted, which prevents loss of life during industrial operations. So it’s used for applications like cable jacketing, wire insulation, spark plug boots and grommets since it prevents electricity leakage.
Wrapping Up
Properties like electrical insulation, chemical and solvent resistance and ageing resistance are vital for the optimal performance of industrial rubber. But these are not the only properties that impact the performance.
Some others include the gas permeability, flame retardancy, flex fatigue resistance and vibration absorption, to name a few. These properties determine how the rubber functions in the presence of gases, fire, and heavy vibrations.
So you should explore them carefully before you choose one of the industrial rubber types for your own purposes.
Make The Right Choice Today
Consult a reputed manufacturer of compression molded silicone rubber and other types of industrial rubber near you for quote today!
