Rubber Product Design Assistance

ELBEX • February 18, 2016

'Early Supplier Involvement' is a strategy that every design engineer should employ whenever they are presented with the opportunity. Granted it can be rewarding to have hands-on control with a product from concept to production, but the cost and time advantages of bringing in the supplier at the forefront are just too numerous to pass up. 

It should be noted that the overall design is still the brainchild of the engineer, it's just that the supplier can effectively determine how to most efficiently use our products in your project. Elbex is proud to provide design assistance on your new, custom, or retrofit applications. 

What is Design Assistance? 

Quite simply put, our design assistance helps an engineer tap into the knowledge and experience Elbex has gained from the past 25 years in the silicone sheeting and extruded rubber products fields. Every application is unique and we have worked in a variety of industries from appliances to automotive to industrial, manufacturing, mass transit, and more. 

With design assistance we calculate your needs, consider our means, and together arrive at the ultimate solution for production efficiency, cost, and performance. After a customer contacts us with a request for quote, our engineering team responds with a plan of attack that may include plant visits, field support, and tooling and engineering presentations (at Elbex). Both teams evaluate the information and decide what is best moving forward.  

Benefits of Design Assistance 

Antiquated designing practices involved a lot of 'trial and error' when developing a product. Engineers would throw ideas at the wall to see what sticks and then contact the supplier. Sending out multiple orders for prototypes until finding the ultimate solution was an waste of time and materials. Even the final manufacturing conclusion may have been mired by inefficiencies in production or the failure to explore a more viable material option. Engineers, supervisors, and management simply 'went with it.' 

Today, quality suppliers like Elbex offer design assistance whenever a client may need it for our rubber extrusions and other products. The advantages of design assistance actually help both parties involved. The buyer can get their product to market faster by knowing the most efficient manufacturing methods, materials, and alternatives before the first prototype is ever created – making only slight tweaks before production. The end design is the most cost and labor efficient to manufacture. 

Subsequently the supplier isn't burdened with impossible rubber extrusion profiles design orders from a designer. Tolerances that are unnecessarily tight, multiple setups that could have been avoided, and just more time spent in production than needed are eliminated when both sides come together in the design stage. 

Taking the Next Step 

Our engineering team is eager to assist whether you are looking at creating a new application or just want to inquire if there is a better production route for an existing product. We value our relationships in all the industries we serve including the construction and industrial sectors in NW Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nevada. Please fill out our contact form , request a quote , or call (877) 302-0423 to kick off what is sure to be a blossoming partnership.

Custom Rubber Extrusions for Construction Durability: Sealing Success with Elbex

By David Garman • December 19, 2025
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.

Tear Resistance of Rubber: Partnering with Elbex for High-Performance Industrial Seals

By David Garman • December 12, 2025
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.

Why Elbex is Your Source for High Temperature Silicone Rubber Sheeting: Built to Endure

By David Garman • November 28, 2025
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.