Our Rubber Vulcanizing Capabilities
ELBEX • October 4, 2021
At Elbex, we use several different curing methods to prepare rubber to meet the needs of your unique applications. In its natural, uncured state, rubber is far from being the valuable and flexible material that can be used for extrusions and seals. Vulcanizing is an important process to ensure that rubber has the strength and flexibility you need.
Why Does Rubber Need to Be Cured?
Uncured rubber is composed of long polymer chains that move independently. Because of this, rubber that has not been cured is highly susceptible to temperature changes. When it is cold, the rubber becomes brittle. When it gets warm, the rubber easily becomes deformed. Curing is a process that helps the rubber’s polymer chains crosslink so that the rubber can stretch and return to its original shape when put under stress.
Salt Bath Curing — or Continuous Vulcanization
Salt bath curing, also known as continuous vulcanization, is one of the most efficient methods for hardening and curing rubber. After rubber pieces have been cut into the desired shape, they are given a salt bath. This method has a short cure period, as its heat exchange properties allow curing to take place at high temperatures. Continuous vulcanization also does not cause surface oxidation. Because of these attributes, continuous vulcanization is often used for weatherstripping, tubing, hoses, and electrically conductive rubber compounds.
In addition to salt bath curing, Elbex provides a wide range of value-added services to ensure great results for custom and standard rubber extrusions. From auto cutting to secondary vulcanization, our products will meet your required standards, including ASTM and military specifications. To learn more, contact us today.
The construction industry faces many unique challenges: maintaining structural integrity, dealing with extreme weather, and ensuring long-term sealing. Custom rubber seals for construction projects are essential for dealing with these challenges — and Elbex can deliver the results you need. Our offerings include high-performance construction rubber extrusions, durable construction joint gaskets, custom extruded rubber profiles for construction applications, and specialized high temperature rubber sealing strips for construction joints. Here’s how we can help you find sealing success. Building Resilience: The Core Functions of Construction Extrusions Rubber extrusions play a variety of vital functions in construction. For example, rubber extrusions create superior environmental barriers by filling voids between two surfaces to keep air, water, and sound out of the structure. Construction joint gaskets and expansion joints help structures safely manage natural movement, such as temperature-related expansion and contraction, without damage. Many extrusions also help ensure proper fit and support for other building components and reduce uneven surfaces for greater structural stability. With these and other applications, Elbex engineers collaborate closely with industry professionals to ensure designs and materials meet all regulatory standards and building codes. Specialized Solutions for High-Performance Sealing At Elbex, we can also provide specialized, high-performance sealing solutions. For example, high temperature rubber sealing strips for construction joints can maintain their integrity even in extreme heat environments like roofs and exposed facades. We also produce a wide range of custom extruded rubber profiles for finished structures, such as glazing systems to set and seal architectural facades and fenestration, door and window seals (including D-sections and U-channels for weatherstripping and tight seals), and setting blocks that seat separate materials and reduce vibration. Our specialty applications also come in handy during construction work itself. Custom rubber seals for construction projects, like pipe seals and ramps, protect exposed pipes and cables from damage caused by impacts or load-bearing traffic. This prevents leaks and project delays to keep your work on track. The Elbex Advantage: Customized Expertise and Quality So, why choose Elbex? Our team specializes in custom extruded rubber profiles for construction applications, allowing us to meet nearly any design requirement for seals, gaskets, and profiles. We are dedicated to quality throughout the entire extrusion process, and collaborate with your team to evaluate application needs, select the right materials, and troubleshoot design challenges. We also provide value-added services like cutting, splicing, printing, and taping. By working with Elbex, you can get fully finished and ready-to-install components, while also having confidence that they will deliver superior stability and lasting structural integrity. As experts in construction rubber extrusions and specialized sealing components, the ISO-certified team at Elbex helps ensure the quality, compliance, and longevity of custom rubber seals for construction projects. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and learn more about our sealing solutions.
Sharp edges, constant stress, and high friction in industrial environments can make tearing a constant threat for rubber components. Left unchecked, these tears can lead to leaks, downtime, and costly repairs, which makes understanding the physical properties of rubber elastomers a top priority. At Elbex, our focus on the tear resistance of rubber, combined with our capabilities for selecting elastomers with high tear resistance for industrial applications, helps ensure dependable results for your industrial seals. Defining the Challenge: What is Tear Resistance in Elastomers? Tear resistance in elastomers is an essential quality that allows the rubber to resist the growth of a cut or notch, especially under tension. Though related to tensile strength, tear strength specifically applies to an elastomer’s resistance to cracks. Tear resistance directly impacts a rubber component’s durability, performance, and safety. Tear resistance is vital in high friction environments such as conveyor skirts and equipment bumpers, where components constantly move over rough surfaces. It is also important for seals and gaskets that are compressed against sharp edges, such as metal flanges or structural seams. Parts that are frequently stretched or flexed in dynamic stress environments also need high tensile strength. Material Analysis: Elastomers Known for High Tear Resistance Different rubber elastomers offer different performance levels. In applications where high tear resistance is a priority, natural rubber stands out for its superior tear resistance and high abrasion resistance, making it a common pick for impact zones and other heavy-duty applications. Other good material options include nitrile, which also offers excellent resistance to petroleum-based fluids; and silicone, which pairs tear resistance with temperature stability and vibration dampening — ideal for sealing high-purity or high-temperature environments. With the right formulation, polyisoprene (IR) and styrene butadiene (SBR) can also provide good tear resistance. Elbex's Expert Criteria for Material Selection To understand what will work best for your application, our engineers ask targeted questions to precisely match the compound to your performance needs. For example, knowing if an extrusion is exposed to oil or weathering, or if its main threat is friction or cutting, can affect which material is recommended. We also consider the hardness (durometer) of the rubber. Harder compounds usually have greater abrasion resistance, but a softer elastomer is usually needed to seal irregular surfaces. Our team finds the optimal balance to control costs and achieve the desired level of tear resistance. Why Choose Elbex for High Tear Resistance Applications When you work with Elbex, you get unmatched material knowledge paired with custom extrusion capabilities to give you maximum tear resistance for your application. By overseeing everything from material selection to manufacturing, we can produce custom rubber extrusions, seals, and profiles that have been specifically engineered to prevent tearing. By prioritizing tear resistance in elastomers, Elbex can help you ensure safety, durability, and operational longevity in industrial settings. Contact our expert extrusion engineers today to discuss your project and get results that can withstand the cut.
Extreme heat, constant moisture, and air barrier requirements are common challenges in architectural, manufacturing, and industrial applications. While many materials can’t hold up under these conditions, silicone sheeting offers the perfect solution for these situations thanks to its superior temperature resistance and sealing properties. At Elbex, we specialize in high temperature silicone rubber sheeting, delivering dependable and customizable results for all of your silicone sheeting needs. Here’s a closer look at what we can do for you. The Unmatched Power of High Temperature Silicone High temperature silicone rubber sheeting is essential in applications where other materials would fail or degrade quickly due to extreme heat. This is because silicone is able to maintain its physical properties and sealing effectiveness across a much wider temperature range than other materials. This makes it especially well suited for creating water and air barriers. For example, you’ll typically find silicone in glazing systems, seals, and environmental barriers in architecture and construction thanks to its protective sealing power and energy efficiency. In manufacturing, it is used in pipe ramps, expansion joints, and protective sheeting when extreme heat is a factor. And when a non-reactive material for gaskets or seals is needed for water control applications, silicone is the ideal solution. Elbex's Commitment to Custom Silicone Sheeting Solutions At Elbex, we take pride in making customization our standard. We welcome design challenges that require custom-manufactured products, including silicone sheeting. In addition to our custom capabilities, we often have standard translucent silicone sheeting available in various widths for quick shipment — just call to check our current availability! Regardless of whether you need custom or standard silicone sheeting, you can expect quality work from Elbex. As an ISO Certified facility, our silicone sheeting offers consistent quality and structural integrity for every application. Comprehensive Support for Your Project Needs When you work with Elbex, you get dedicated engineering resources and expert assistance from start to finish. We firmly believe that your success drives our success. By offering guidance and troubleshooting assistance for your designs, as well as in-house tooling for the efficient production of silicone sheeting profiles, we help your project get finished on time and on budget. Even more importantly, we’ll help you choose the correct silicone grade and thickness for your desired performance levels. For projects that require the extreme durability and sealing power of high temperature silicone rubber sheeting, you can count on Elbex. With our comprehensive silicone sheeting solutions and top-quality customer support, we’ll help you start solving your sealing problems today. Contact us to check our current stock or to get started with your custom project.
