Rubber extrusion don’t differs so much of plastic extrusion. Basically, the main difference is the curing process or vulcanization of the rubber during the extrusion process.
As plastic extrusion, in rubber extrusion process the rubber is forced through a die of the desired cross-section under pressure from an extruder. Then, the rubber part normally must be vulcanized before it is usable.
The processes of vulcanization or curing takes place at the last step of the extrusion process. This aids the rubber extruded profiles to maintain its shape and acquire necessary physical properties.
Exist different types of rubber extrusion processes:
- Continuous in-line cure extrusion: The rubber material travels through a curing tunnel that raises the product to the appropriate vulcanizing temperature.
- Off-line cure extrusion: The warm rubber is driven through the die and then exposed to high-pressure steam in order to achieve the appropriate vulcanizing temperature.
Rubber extrusion advantages
- Huge variety of shapes.
- Economical process.
- Flexible and lightweight products.
- Minimal wasted material.
- Highly efficient process.
In Gestión de Compras has extensive experience in the design, development and manufacture rubber parts and profiles by extrusion.
Our factories can produce a wide variety of cross section profiles inclusive customized, on different materials and according to technical specification from the customer.
MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS
Our suppliers are capable to produce custom parts with almost any type of rubber. Some of them such as, EPDM or neoprene, can be extruded like dense rubber or like sponge rubber.
- Butyl Rubber.
- EPDM, EP, EPT.
- Fluoroelastomer/FKM or Viton.
- Neoprene (CR).
- Nitrile rubber (NBR).
- PVC-dual durometer.
- Silicone (VMQ).
Large quantity of rubber parts can be manufactured by this process such as profiles, cords, strips, hoses, cable jacketing, tubing, windshield seals, channels and fenders, profile for sealing doors, window glazing channels, clamp cushions, hatch cover gaskets, silo hatch seals and watertight seals. These rubber parts are widely used in aerospace, architectural, automotive, material handling, ...
For this process as well as all where are involved rubber, do not lend themselves well to the same level of tolerance that can present processes with rigid materials. Some factors involved on extrusion rubber tolerances are: temperature, cure time, die tolerance and shrinkage.
STANDARD AND CERTIFICATES
We have the means to ensure our products comply the general regulation and the specific certificated regulations in manufacturing products that requires them:
- ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
- TS 16949, ISO 13485, ...
- OHSAS 18001.
- ISO 3302-1.