General Properties of Elastomers
ELBEX • May 17, 2019
ELBEX is a leading manufacturer of rubber and silicone extrusions. Our products are used in a wide range of industries and have countless applications. We use a few different elastomers in order to create the optimal products for these applications.
Physical Properties of Elastomers
Elastomers are mixed with several different chemicals and compounds in order to obtain the desired physical properties required in an extruded product. The field of rubber compounding is quite broad, but there are basic polymers that can create compounds with unique physical properties.
Silicone Rubber, EPDM, and Neoprene
Materials such as silicone rubber, EPDM, and Neoprene are common elastomers we use. Silicone rub-ber, for example, is a semi-organic synthetic made from sand and alkyl or aryl halides. Despite the fact that silicone rubber looks and feels like natural rubber, it has a different type of structure. Its makeup gives silicone rubber a very flexible, but weak chain. It has a broad temperature range and is generally odorless and non-toxic. But the trade off with silicone rubber is that it has poor tensile, tear, and abrasion resistance.
Other elastomers like Neoprene have good resilience, weather resistance, and abrasion strength.
Wide Range of Elastomers
There is a wide range of elastomers that can be made that are resistant to things such as animal and vegetable fats, chemicals, and acids while other elastomers are attacked by those same things.
Silicone rubber as an example is generally resistant to many oxidizing chemicals, the ozone, and UV light. But it does not hold up well to many solvents, oils, acids, or even steam.
Depending on the environment or specific uses of an elastomer, ELBEX can find the right product for you. Contact us today or complete an RFQ in order to identify the right elastomer for you.
We live in a time of rapid change — and this is just as true of the rubber extrusion industry as it is in other areas. At ELBEX, we believe a forward-thinking approach is vital to stay at the forefront of rubber extrusion. Emerging Trends in Rubber Extrusion in 2024 As 2024 begins, several trends have stood out in the rubber extrusion industry. These include advancements in eco-friendly materials, improvements in manufacturing automation, and increased demand for rubber extrusions from emerging markets. At ELBEX, ongoing investments in research and development have proven essential for helping us take advantage of these trends so we can better serve our clients. Incorporating Advanced Technology Manufacturing processes are constantly improving thanks to new technologies such as AI and the internet of things. These technologies enable us to automate certain processes to achieve greater efficiency, quality control, and customization capabilities. Sustainability: A Core Focus for ELBEX in 2024 Energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials have long been a focus at ELBEX, but they are even more important in 2024. Current sustainability initiatives include the use of recycled materials and a focus on implementing energy-efficient processes that minimize waste. Expanding into New Markets and Applications New industries and markets represent a major area of growth for rubber extrusion products. Areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure will all rely on rubber extrusions, and as such, we must continually research and develop new profiles that will work with these applications. ELBEX’s Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction In the midst of these trends, ELBEX is committed to maintaining high quality standards, as demonstrated through our ISO certification. By taking advantage of the latest industry trends, we can further improve results for our clients and drive meaningful outcomes. With a proactive approach to embracing current and future trends in the world of rubber extrusions, ELBEX is positioned to continue shaping the future of the industry in 2024 and beyond.
One of the most important indicators of a manufacturer’s efficiency is its scrap rate — or the percentage of defective products that need to be thrown away or recycled. At ELBEX, we are proud to consistently achieve low scrap percentages with each job we undertake. The Importance of Low Scrap in Manufacturing In manufacturing, scrap can have significant environmental and economic impacts. Unusable products must be recycled and replaced, which means more time, energy, and materials used in the manufacturing process. This can drive up costs for both the business and its clients, while also creating a larger carbon footprint. ELBEX’s Approach to Minimizing Scrap At ELBEX, we implement a wide variety of steps to minimize scrap, starting by using high-quality materials that are less likely to result in defects. We combine this with the latest in rubber extrusion technology and processes and a skilled team that draws on decades of industry experience. Strong quality control systems help us reduce waste at every step of the process. Impact on Quality and Cost-Effectiveness These practices, which help us achieve a low scrap percentage, ultimately result in higher quality products and less waste. This creates cost savings for everyone involved, as production runs can be completed faster and with less material. Reduced energy consumption also means less of an impact on the environment. ELBEX’s Ongoing Commitment to Improvement ELBEX is committed to continuous improvement, including finding new ways to further reduce scrap and enhance efficiency. By embracing new technology and sourcing the highest-quality materials, we can become even more sustainable and cost-efficient. At ELBEX, we believe our low scrap percentage is an indicator of our efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility. While there is always room for improvement, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and how it can help you, too.
At Elbex, we are committed to maintaining a high standard of quality with our rubber extrusions. As part of this, we are proud to have obtained ISO 9001:2015 without Design certification as a signifier of our team consistently meeting quality standards. Here’s what this means for you. ELBEX’s Journey to ISO Certification ELBEX obtained its ISO certification in 2010, and has held it continuously since then. To achieve this certification, ELBEX had to demonstrate to a certification body that our work complied with ISO standards. During the assessment process, we had to show that we had sufficient quality management systems in place, while also striving for continuous improvement. Benefits of ISO Certification for ELBEX Clients Thanks to our ISO certification, you can have confidence that you’ll get consistent quality, reliability, and safety from our rubber extrusions. Adhering to ISO standards ensures that our products will always live up to expectations, so you can have confidence when placing an order for a standard or custom extrusion. ISO Standards and Rubber Extrusion Excellence The ISO certification that ELBEX holds — ISO 9001 — is considered a global quality management standard. It means that we have effective quality management processes in place to ensure great results with our products. This standard also covers process improvements and ongoing optimization, meaning we must continually look for ways to become more efficient, reduce waste, and find other ways to improve quality. ELBEX’s Commitment to Ongoing Excellence ISO certification isn’t held permanently — it must be periodically renewed. At ELBEX, we are dedicated to maintaining and exceeding ISO standards so we can deliver great results for our customers, while also finding new innovations that help us become even more effective in our work. With ISO certification, you can have confidence in ELBEX’s capabilities to ensure quality in the rubber extrusion industry. We are committed to upholding the highest standards for every project — including yours.
Want more information?
ELBEX Corporation is an ISO Certified leader in rubber and silicone extrusions manufacturing. Our capabilities include the ability to produce a wide range of profile designs in both dense and sponge materials.
Get In Touch
Phone: 330.673.3233
Fax: 330.673.3235
Email:
info@elbex-us.com
Address: 300 Martinel Dr. Kent, OH 44240
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We live in a time of rapid change — and this is just as true of the rubber extrusion industry as it is in other areas. At ELBEX, we believe a forward-thinking approach is vital to stay at the forefront of rubber extrusion. Emerging Trends in Rubber Extrusion in 2024 As 2024 begins, several trends have stood out in the rubber extrusion industry. These include advancements in eco-friendly materials, improvements in manufacturing automation, and increased demand for rubber extrusions from emerging markets. At ELBEX, ongoing investments in research and development have proven essential for helping us take advantage of these trends so we can better serve our clients. Incorporating Advanced Technology Manufacturing processes are constantly improving thanks to new technologies such as AI and the internet of things. These technologies enable us to automate certain processes to achieve greater efficiency, quality control, and customization capabilities. Sustainability: A Core Focus for ELBEX in 2024 Energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials have long been a focus at ELBEX, but they are even more important in 2024. Current sustainability initiatives include the use of recycled materials and a focus on implementing energy-efficient processes that minimize waste. Expanding into New Markets and Applications New industries and markets represent a major area of growth for rubber extrusion products. Areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure will all rely on rubber extrusions, and as such, we must continually research and develop new profiles that will work with these applications. ELBEX’s Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction In the midst of these trends, ELBEX is committed to maintaining high quality standards, as demonstrated through our ISO certification. By taking advantage of the latest industry trends, we can further improve results for our clients and drive meaningful outcomes. With a proactive approach to embracing current and future trends in the world of rubber extrusions, ELBEX is positioned to continue shaping the future of the industry in 2024 and beyond.
One of the most important indicators of a manufacturer’s efficiency is its scrap rate — or the percentage of defective products that need to be thrown away or recycled. At ELBEX, we are proud to consistently achieve low scrap percentages with each job we undertake. The Importance of Low Scrap in Manufacturing In manufacturing, scrap can have significant environmental and economic impacts. Unusable products must be recycled and replaced, which means more time, energy, and materials used in the manufacturing process. This can drive up costs for both the business and its clients, while also creating a larger carbon footprint. ELBEX’s Approach to Minimizing Scrap At ELBEX, we implement a wide variety of steps to minimize scrap, starting by using high-quality materials that are less likely to result in defects. We combine this with the latest in rubber extrusion technology and processes and a skilled team that draws on decades of industry experience. Strong quality control systems help us reduce waste at every step of the process. Impact on Quality and Cost-Effectiveness These practices, which help us achieve a low scrap percentage, ultimately result in higher quality products and less waste. This creates cost savings for everyone involved, as production runs can be completed faster and with less material. Reduced energy consumption also means less of an impact on the environment. ELBEX’s Ongoing Commitment to Improvement ELBEX is committed to continuous improvement, including finding new ways to further reduce scrap and enhance efficiency. By embracing new technology and sourcing the highest-quality materials, we can become even more sustainable and cost-efficient. At ELBEX, we believe our low scrap percentage is an indicator of our efficiency, quality, and environmental responsibility. While there is always room for improvement, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far and how it can help you, too.