Many manufacturing industries employ rubber extrusion technology to turn rubber materials into specifically shaped products. The process involves pressing a softened and pressurized rubber compound through a shaped die to create a wide range of custom products. One of the common products made by this process is gaskets. The process also helps make rubber seals, tubing, connectors, and vibration reducers.
Although the rubber extruding process has many pros, it does have a few cons as well.
ProsÂ
The rubber extruding process allows manufacturers to produce products in different shapes and sizes, helping them meet their customers’ specifications. Other advantages of the rubber extruding process include the following:
Efficient and Economical
Rubber extruding machines are proficient in maintaining greater accuracy, allowing manufacturers to reduce material wasted during the process. Minimal material waste helps to increase material efficiency and reduction of disposal costs. The waste materials can also be reused, reducing raw material expenses and helping you save money. Maintenance and production costs are relatively less compared to other rubber processing methods.
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Long Lasting Quality Products
Many industries use high-quality rubber and blending compounds to create durable and long-lasting products. The products can also be custom-made to meet a myriad of requirements, including resistance to harsh or extreme conditions.
FlexibilityÂ
Extruded rubbers are not limited in shape or length and can be cut to fit any application. The products produced can be flexible and lightweight depending on their design and choice of rubber used.
Brand Recognition
Producing high-quality extruded products for clients can help you boost brand recognition. Continuously selling gaskets made of quality rubber materials to your customers can help you earn trust in your company. Increased visibility helps your brand become recognized, improving customer traffic and sales.
ConsÂ
Though there aren’t many, here are a few difficult factors of the rubber extrusion process:
Size Variance
One of the few disadvantages of rubber processing through extrusion is size variances in products. Hot rubber frequently expands as it exits the extruder. The precise degree of expansion can be challenging to predict since it depends on various process-related factors.
Although the process can result in slight size changes, there are several ways to limit this issue and produce the exact product.
Limits in Level of Product HardnessÂ
Rubber products are subjected to simple and standardized indentations that are vulnerable to errors during Shore hardness measurements. Many rubber products have a durometer scale of Shore 70A.
Yet manufacturing companies invest in several standard testing methods to ensure specific applications produce different hardness levels and fit for their customers.
Product Limitations
The rubber extruding process can limit the types of products it can produce at a time. Some rubber products require a die with a specifically designed opening containing the cross-section of the finished material. Although, manufacturers can use different extrusion equipment to provide alternatives in rubber production.
Rubber Extrusion
Despite the rubber extrusion process having very minor drawbacks, it remains the best rubber processing method. When researching different rubber manufacturers to identify the best one, consider the knowledge and expertise of the company. A company with highly trained experts can produce the best-extruded rubber products.
