Solid Rubber
Solid Rubber Extrusion
ASG supply a whole host of solid rubber extrusions in many profiles, from simple cords to complex ribbed or contoured parts. Solid Rubber extrusions are designed to do a number of jobs including surface or product protection, as a seal against air, gas, fluid and dust or to simply create an aesthetically pleasing edge trim or buffer. All our solid rubber extrusions are made to order, manufactured using samples or drawings provided by our customers from which a tool or ‘die’ is made, a sample produced for approval prior to the final order being completed.
What is Solid Rubber Extrusions?
An ‘Extrusion’ is where raw material, in this case, solid rubber is turned into a specific, usable shape using an extruder machine that works using high pressure and a die (a shaped tool). This machine pushes raw solid rubber material through the die creating the finished profile, in continuous lengths, with a consistent cross-sectional shape running throughout. Solid rubber extrusions can be made as a ‘solid’ shape such as a cord, or ‘hollow’ where a hole runs through the entire length of the extrusion just leaving the outer wall. Some of the most commonly used solid rubber extrusions are D-sections, P-sections, door seals, window seals, U-channels and cords, many of which can be supplied with a self-adhesive finish. Solid rubber has most of the same properties as its sponge and foam versions, but without the cushion and bounce, offering a more durable and resistant material.
Why use Solid Rubber Extrusions?
There are many different forms and profiles of solid rubber extrusions which can be found used within many applications for sealing against air, gas and liquid, cushioning against vibrations & rattles and as surface protection. Extrusions are perfect for applications where off the shelf seals or gaskets will not fit and a bespoke profile or shape is required and the quickest and simplest way to create lengths of identical products even when manufactured in bulk. Solid rubber extrusions are available in a range of material grades and hardnesses, each with its own desirable properties and are an important component found in many industries such as electrical, engineering, automotive, aerospace, building & construction and food and beverage production.
Different Grades
Advanced Seals & Gaskets work with a wide network of material manufacturers and suppliers, giving our customers more choice when looking for sold rubber extrusion, our most popular grades include:
Neoprene (CR) is most suitable for use where there is exposure to grease, oil, acids, ozone and even seawater.
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is great for use in outdoor applications, this material is resistant to water, UV, ozone, weather, abrasion, alkalines, ketones and diluted acids.
Nitrile (NBR) rubber is a popular solid material for use within the automotive industry where there is contact with petroleum, oil and grease.
SBR (Styrene-butadiene rubber) is a cost-effective, commercial-grade, general-purpose rubber with good abrasion resistance, tensile strength and low compression set. (not sure use with petrol and chemicals).
Silicone (SI) is an excellent electrical insulation material that can operate at high and low temperatures. Silicone rubber performs well when exposed to UV, weathering, ozone and moisture, and is available in a range of colours.
Viton rubber materials are manufactured for more demanding applications where there are harsh chemicals and high temperatures present. Viton rubber offers resistance to fluids, oils, acids and petroleum-based liquids.
For samples, datasheets or to discuss your extrusion options further, please give a member of our sales team a call.
Benefits of Solid Rubber Extrusions
The type of solid rubber extrusion used will depend on the industry, environment and application it is going to be used in and what it will be exposed to. Depending on the material used, some of the benefits offered by solid rubber include:
- Popular for internal, external, marine & automotive sealing applications
- Can be used with high or low temperatures and with harsh chemicals
- Variety of grades, colours, hardnesses available
- Impermeable to water, dust, air and gases
- Resistance to oils, petroleum fluids, acids, ketones, chemicals, greases and fats.
- Excellent resistance to ozone, weathering and ageing
- Offers tear, abrasion and impact resistance
- Extrusions create bulk quantities of identical products
- Bespoke products can be easily created using solid rubber materials