Harnessing the Power of Rubber: Trends and Innovations in Rubber Extrusion
November 2, 2023
The use of rubber extrusions has been on the rise in many industries in recent years. With flexible manufacturing and dependable performance, rubber extrusions serve a variety of useful roles, from dampening vibrations to creating airtight seals.
The Evolution of Rubber Extrusions
The idea of extruding materials to achieve a specific shape goes back to the late 1790s, when extruders were used to make lead pipes. As rubber began to be used, extrusion machines were adapted to force synthetic or natural rubber through a shaped die to achieve a desired shape. The pliable rubber would then be vulcanized or hardened. The introduction of new die options and the development of new elastomers has allowed for extrusions to be used in an ever-widening range of applications.
How ELBEX Pioneers Innovations in Current Market Trends
In modern times, the rubber extrusion industry has seen a shift toward more demand for custom extrusions and in-house tooling — key areas where ELBEX has proven itself as an established leader. Experience in 2-D modeling and AutoCAD design enables custom tool and die design services for any application. And with custom on-site tooling, production becomes more efficient, with shorter lead times and improved delivery. This commitment to quality has enabled ELBEX to achieve ISO certification.
Custom capabilities allow ELBEX to produce extrusions for a wide range of industries. For example, we produce automotive applications such as hinge covers, no-rattle pads for spare tires, door and window seals, gaskets, and acoustic covers. In construction, common applications include weatherstripping, glazing, expansion joints, and edge trim.
As custom rubber extrusions become more advanced, their potential applications will continue to increase exponentially. With in-house tooling and custom capabilities, ELBEX is poised to lead in this important market.
Durability and precision are non-negotiables in industrial and manufacturing facilities. This is equally true of the industrial rubber extrusions that are used to ensure the safety, efficiency, and longevity of other equipment. At Elbex, our expertise in manufacturing rubber profiles ensures your facility gets the lasting performance it deserves. Here’s what you need to know about our custom extruded rubber profiles for industrial applications. Why Rubber Extrusions Are Essential For Industrial Performance Rubber extrusions are small but mighty. In industrial facilities, they are primarily used as durable buffers that reduce movement and vibration between surfaces. This is crucial for preventing structural damage to equipment and facilities. Rubber extrusions can also be used to create barriers against air, water, and sound. Of course, these extrusions need to be able to withstand harsh conditions, such as direct sunlight and dramatic temperature changes that could cause expansion and contraction. Elbex’s manufacturing expertise ensures that rubber extrusions meet these important requirements. Elbex's Expertise in Custom Solutions for Manufacturing With Elbex, you get the added advantage of custom-tailored solutions. Our engineers work closely with your team to understand your unique project needs. This collaborative approach helps us fine-tune the design and choose the right materials that will meet the specific regulatory standards and applicable codes that apply to your application. With custom extruded rubber profiles for industrial applications, you get a perfect fit and optimal performance for each project. A Diverse Range of Industrial Applications Our comprehensive customization options mean we can produce rubber extrusions for a variety of industrial applications. Some of our most common applications include extruded rubber expansion joints to mitigate stress from expansion, contraction, and vibration in buildings, as well as glazing systems, bulb seals for doors and hatches, and D-sections for filling voids and creating barriers against air, water, and extreme temperatures. We also produce piping systems and ramps, which protect exposed pipes and conduits from damage by heavy machinery or traffic (especially on construction sites), as well as extruded rubber bumpers, which serve as cushions to absorb impacts. No matter what your application entails, we can provide a customized solution that delivers optimal performance. The Elbex Advantage: A Partnership for Success When you work with Elbex, you enter a partnership designed for your success. Our comprehensive engineering resources provide the support you need throughout the design and manufacturing process. This includes expert design assistance and material selection support for superior performance, as well as on-site tooling and other value-added services that reduce costs and lead times while providing ready-to-use components. If you need help with custom rubber extrusions for your industrial facility, contact Elbex today. Our team will be happy to help you optimize your operations with custom-tailored solutions.
Across industries, reliable seals that can handle water, air, and temperature fluctuations are essential. As an expert manufacturer of rubber bulb seals and specialized silicone rubber seals that can be used as bulb gasket seals, Elbex helps you create superior barriers for a wide range of manufacturing applications. The Unique Design and Sealing Power of Bulb Seals Bulb seals get their name from their unique design, which includes a mounting mechanism (base), as well as a compressible bulb section. After it has been put in place, the bulb section compresses against the surrounding surface area to fill a void or gap. This creates a tight, powerful seal that blocks air, dust, water, and other contaminants. Elbex's Expertise in Custom Bulb Seal Manufacturing Elbex’s custom bulb seal manufacturing expertise ensures that your rubber bulb seals meet all performance requirements for strong, durable results. This starts with our knowledge of which rubber materials work best for different applications and environmental factors. For example, silicone rubber seals work well for applications requiring extreme temperature resistance, flexibility, and resistance to environmental factors. Our custom design and engineering capabilities enable us to accommodate nearly any application, ensuring a perfect fit and reliable performance based on your unique specifications. Comprehensive quality control further ensures that your rubber seal will meet and even exceed expectations, achieving proper compression while resisting issues like compression set. Versatile Applications Across Industries Rubber seals are found in many different industries, highlighting the versatile nature of these components. For example, rubber seals are most commonly used around doors, windows, and hatches to provide a tight seal against air, sound, and dust (including in vehicles and appliances). However, bulb gasket seals are also used to create tight water barriers in marine applications, outdoor electrical enclosures, and storage compartments. Silicone rubber seals can also help contain extreme heat or cold in industrial mixing, processing, and food service applications. Why Elbex is the Premier Choice for Bulb Seals If you need bulb seals, make Elbex your manufacturing partner. With unmatched customization options, comprehensive material expertise and engineering support, and guaranteed quality, our team will help your application succeed. Contact us today to discuss your specific application needs and learn more about the sealing power of our custom-designed seals.
Today’s appliances need to perform at a higher standard than ever – and seals and gaskets play a vital role in making that possible. Specialized appliance gaskets and appliance seals deliver reliable barriers against heat, cold, and other hazards. As a leading provider of high-quality appliance rubber extrusions, Elbex’s custom extruded rubber gaskets for appliance manufacturing will provide the performance you need. The Essential Role of Rubber in Appliance Performance Gaskets and seals create a reliable barrier that keeps appliances functioning properly. These barriers fill a wide range of roles, such as preventing leaks in washing machines and dishwashers, helping refrigerators and ovens maintain desired temperatures, and securing components and eliminating vibrations in washers and dryers. Notably, these extrusions must be able to perform with exposure to water, extreme heat and cold, and other hazards. Elbex's Expertise in Custom Appliance Extrusions At Elbex, our team takes a collaborative approach in creating custom appliance extrusions for your business. We draw on our deep knowledge of different rubber compounds to select materials that meet industry and regulatory standards. For example, while silicone is best for high heat/food contact, EPDM is better for weather/water resistance. Materials expertise is paired with an advanced extrusion process, which forces uncured rubber through custom dies to create precise, fully cured profiles. Rather than carrying an inventory, we custom-manufacture every product to meet your exact requirements, ensuring superior stability and performance. Versatile Appliance Applications & Custom Profiles Appliance gaskets (which are static surfaces) and seals (which are moving parts) fill many roles in the appliance industry. Formed hoses and water resistance seals in washing machines and dishwashers, air barrier seals in refrigerators and ovens, and even blender lid seals provide necessary containment for appliances. Gaskets and seals can also eliminate vibrations and secure components. Our custom profile options include extruded gaskets and seals, bulb seals, custom extruded rubber d-sections, and custom extruded ribbed profiles. Each of these options can aid with filling voids, creating seals/barriers, reducing vibration, and more. Elbex's Unwavering Support and Resources Working with Elbex means you get a team that is committed to the success of its customers. Our team is ready to assist right from the start, offering guidance on materials selection and design assistance (including additional technical resources) to ensure the design and finished components meet your performance requirements. By doing all custom tooling in-house, we can also deliver our results faster and cheaper than if the work was outsourced, even while maintaining extremely high quality standards. With our extensive expertise in high-quality appliance rubber extrusions, including appliance gaskets and appliance seals, you can count on Elbex to help ensure that your appliances are reliable and compliant for your own customers. To learn more about our custom extruded rubber gaskets for appliance manufacturing, contact us today.
