Extruded Rubber Expansion Joints: Mastering Movement with Elbex's Expertise

David Garman • July 25, 2025

Thermal expansion, contraction, and vibration are persistent challenges in industrial and architectural structures. Left unchecked, these forces can cause significant structural damage – but rubber expansion joints can help. Custom-engineered extruded rubber expansion joints by Elbex offer superior performance and reliability to protect your structures.



Understanding Extruded Rubber Expansion Joints


Expansion joints play a vital role by reducing movement and vibration, as well as relieving stress caused by surface expansion or contraction. Rubber extrusions absorb movement to dampen vibrations and prevent damage to pipes, building materials, and other surfaces. The end result is greater stability and protection for the entire system.


By forcing uncured rubber through a die and curing it in a 400°F salt bath, we can create fully cured, cross-linked, and durable extrusion profiles that address these needs in a variety of applications.



Diverse Applications Across Industries


Rubber expansion joints are used across many industries and applications, but they are most common in manufacturing and construction. In manufacturing, rubber expansion joints are used in transitions between two surfaces (such as in industrial piping systems), specialized uses like outgassing expansion joints in clean room ductwork, and more.


In construction, movement joints provide structural stress relief and maintain structural integrity. These expansion joints keep structures in place while allowing necessary movement from natural expansion or contraction or even seismic activity. This improves the longevity of building materials and helps prevent damage that might otherwise occur.



The Elbex Advantage: Customization and Comprehensive Support


Working with Elbex for your rubber expansion joints provides several important benefits. Our design and engineering team brings decades of experience, allowing us to custom-design extrusions for any need. Our value-added services such as printing, cutting, splicing, taping, on-site silicone mixing and color matching, and in-house die tooling allow us to provide a rapid turnaround while meeting your precise specifications.


Our team can also assist you with technical resources, design assistance, and even material selection to ensure the design and composition of your rubber expansion joint will deliver the performance you need. Our commitment to quality from start to finish will let you move forward with confidence.


Elbex is your premier partner for designing and manufacturing custom rubber expansion joints that will safeguard your structures and systems from movement, vibration, and thermal change. Contact us today for design assistance or to discuss your specific extruded rubber expansion joint needs.

Advanced Rubber Extrusions for the Water Control Industry: Securing Our Water with Elbex

By David Garman • July 18, 2025
Effective sealing is vital for the water control industry. High-performance water control rubber extrusions prevent leaks and contamination, protecting water quality and reducing financial losses. At Elbex, our waterproof rubber gaskets, innovative custom extruded rubber profiles for water control applications, and specialized air barrier rubber extrusions for water control applications can make all the difference in helping you secure your water. The Unique Demands of Water Control Applications Water control applications must deliver decades of leak-free service – even as they face a unique and challenging usage environment. Constant exposure to water, varying water pressures and flows, and the presence of disinfectants, pollutants, and other chemicals in certain water systems, must be addressed to ensure rubber extrusions will stand the test of time. Many applications also face exposure to UV, ozone, extreme temperatures, and potential abrasion from sediment. The right materials and design are critical. Elbex's Specialized Rubber Extrusion Solutions for Water Control At Elbex, we understand the unique demands and challenges of water control systems. Addressing these needs starts with our in-depth knowledge of water-resistant rubber compounds like EPDM, Silicone, Nitrile, and Butyl – and which of these is best for each system. We consider compliance with standards like NSF/ANSI 61 for drinking water components as part of this process. Along with material selection, our advanced extrusion and molding capabilities allow us to produce truly waterproof rubber gaskets, with tight tolerances and consistent quality to prevent even microscopic leaks. Our expertise extends from flat, O-ring, and custom molded gaskets to unique custom extruded rubber profiles for water control applications, such as specialized seals for dam gates, unique pipe lining extrusions, custom profiles for filtration system components, or specific shapes for reservoir linings. Our customization capabilities allow us to address complex geometries and specific sealing challenges that standard solutions can’t handle. This also applies to air sealing applications such as preventing air infiltration into pumps or sealing access hatches in treatment plants. Benefits of Partnering with Elbex for Your Water Control Needs Elbex’s high-quality manufacturing and customization options give you unmatched leak prevention, helping you avoid water loss, environmental contamination, and other hazards. Precise sealing improves the efficiency of pumps, valves, and filtration processes for more efficient operation. Durable rubber components will also reduce your long-term maintenance and replacement needs, resulting in even more cost savings. You can also have confidence that Elbex rubber extrusion solutions will meet your specific needs, as well as regulatory compliance standards. Our adherence to stringent quality standards and commitment to working alongside your engineers will help you develop solutions that meet all applicable industry regulations. With unmatched expertise in providing rubber solutions for the water control industry, make Elbex your first call when you need help securing your water systems. Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities and customization options.

Elbex's Expert Rubber Extrusions for Mass Transit: Producing Smooth, Silent Rides

By David Garman • July 11, 2025
Comfortable, quiet, and reliable mass transit is essential for delivering a great experience for passengers – but overcoming the pervasive challenges of noise and vibration isn’t easy. As a leading expert in providing specialized mass transit rubber extrusions, Elbex can help you produce vibration dampening rubber components and noise reducing rubber gaskets for mass transit vehicles that are tailored to your specific needs. The Demands of the Mass Transit Environment Mass transit is subjected to constant movement and structural flexing. Powerful engines, as well as vehicle interaction with tracks or roads, generates constant noise and vibration in transit vehicles. Over time, this can impact mass transit structural integrity. Excess noise and vibration can also cause discomfort for passengers, negatively impacting how the public views your transit system. Rubber extrusions play a vital role in dampening noise and vibrations. However, achieving lasting results requires rubber components that can withstand extreme temperatures, continuous stress, varying loads, and environmental factors such as UV, ozone, and moisture exposure. Elbex's Precision in Mass Transit Rubber Extrusions Elbex is uniquely positioned to address your mass transit rubber extrusion needs. Our deep understanding of highly resilient natural rubber, weather-resistant EPDM, oil-resistant Nitrile, shock-absorbing SBR, and other rubber compounds enables us to select the right material for each application. Materials are formulated for vibration dampening, thermal stability, and durability against transit-specific stressors. Our custom profile design and engineering capabilities are another valuable strength. Our team can collaborate with your transit engineers and designers to ensure perfect fit and functionality, even for complex sealing and dampening needs. Our extrusion and molding processes are designed for tight tolerances and consistent quality, while our ISO certifications guarantee the reliability and durability of each rubber extrusion. Core Solutions for Enhanced Transit Performance At Elbex, we offer a wide range of rubber extrusion solutions that can enhance transit performance. Engine mounts, suspension bushings, body mounts, and interior panel isolators isolate shocks and reduce resonant frequencies to extend vehicle lifespans, limit structural fatigue, and improve ride quality. We also produce noise reducing rubber gaskets for mass transit vehicles, including window and door seals, floor gaskets, and HVAC system seals. With the help of these acoustic and environmental barriers, your mass transit vehicles will have quieter cabins, enhanced passenger comfort, better thermal insulation, and protection against external elements like dust and water. Additional mass transit extrusions that contribute to vehicle integrity and performance include weatherstripping, bumper guards, D-seals, and custom tubing. No matter what you need, Elbex can provide high-quality, customizable solutions.  Why Elbex is the Premier Choice for Mass Transit With our unmatched expertise and experience, in-depth customization capabilities, ability to produce durable and reliable components, and collaborative approach, Elbex is the go-to source for expertly manufactured mass transit rubber extrusions. Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities or to discuss your next project.

U-Channel Rubber Extrusions - The Versatile Grip: Exploring Applications

By David Garman • June 27, 2025
In industries like mass transit and construction, secure fitting and protected edges are key to the durability and safety of many applications. Rubber extrusions, particularly custom extruded u-channels and variations like ribbed rubber channels can play an essential role in these areas – and Elbex’s expertise in providing custom solutions will help you move forward with confidence. Understanding U-Channel Rubber Extrusions U-channel rubber extrusions are named for their distinctive U-shape, which allows them to fit over edges or within channels on mating pieces to ensure a secure fit and protect edges. The size and thickness of the legs and base should be adapted to the needs of the application, since precise dimensions are needed to get a secure fit. Depending on needs, extra features like ribbed rubber channels can be added for increased grip, vibration dampening, or sealing. As with other rubber extrusions, various materials, such as EPDM, neoprene, or silicone can be used for U-channels. The right material depends on the application’s environmental conditions (like temperature, chemicals, and UV exposure), as well as performance requirements such as flexibility and durability. Diverse Applications Across Industries U-channels serve a variety of important functions. They can be used as edge guards to protect surfaces from damage and provide a finished look, such as in automotive door edges, metal paneling, or machinery housings. The tight fit of these rubber extrusions within the channel also dampens vibrations and prevents unwanted movement between components. This is especially important for preventing excess wear and promoting structural integrity in transportation equipment and other machinery. U-channels are also used to create seals against dust, moisture, and other environmental elements. Weatherstripping in homes and glazing seals on building and automotive systems are common examples of this. With the right materials, U-channels can provide essential protection, even in extreme environments that undergo frequent temperature changes. Elbex’s Expertise in Custom U-Channel Solutions At Elbex, we provide a comprehensive level of support in addressing your U-channel needs. Our custom design and manufacturing capabilities allow us to meet your exact design requirements and performance specifications. Our knowledgeable team can also offer design assistance, technical information, and material selection guidance. Our in-house tooling and manufacturing also lends itself to quality results. Our custom on-site tooling capabilities provide a quick, cost-effective turnaround on unique U-channel profiles. We offer a wide range of materials to meet the specific performance needs of your application. The versatility and durability of U-channels makes them an excellent fit for many projects. At Elbex, our expertise and experience in providing high-quality, custom extruded u-channels and ribbed rubber channels gives you the reliable partner you need for these essential components. Contact us today to get support for your extrusion needs.