Getting Back To The Basics: Rubber Extrusion
ELBEX • June 6, 2019
The creation of a rubber extrusion forces uncured rubber compounds through a die and into a desired shape. By utilizing the extrusion process, we are able to produce countless shapes and to form products to a desired project specification.
Extruding Rubber Compounds
Once the rubber compounds are extruded, they are immediately cured. At ELBEX, we use a continuous salt bath cure lines which send the extrusions through the line at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The extrusion emerges from the salt bath fully cured and the various compounds cross-linked.
Our Process
The process of rubber extrusion, especially when coupled with the salt bath cure system, lends itself towards high volume production runs. A higher volume of material can be produced in a shorter time when compared to other methods.
Extrusion Tool and Design Dies
Along with the rubber extrusion process, we can also produce extrusion tool and design dies. An extrusion die is a blank piece of steel precisely cut to your project specifications. This die is cut to the cross-sectional profile of your part and then used to force material compounds through during extrusion.
Rubber extrusions have several applications in a variety of markets. If you are searching for quality rubber extrusions, complete our online RFQ form or contact us today.
It’s all too common for off-the-shelf-parts to fall short of what you need. This makes designing custom rubber extrusion profiles for specific applications an absolutely critical aspect of getting the precision and unique functionality you need for each application. As a premier provider of customized extrusion solutions, Elbex can provide custom rubber extrusion designs that are perfectly tailored to your needs. The Elbex Philosophy: Every Application Is Unique At Elbex, we understand that every application is unique. We actively listen to your specific project requirements so we can understand your exact needs. Whether you have a detailed drawing, a simple sketch for quoting, or even a physical sample for reverse engineering, we can use it as a baseline for getting started. With our team’s knowledge, we can then recommend the most suitable design, material, and manufacturing approach for your component. “Hands-On” Engineering: Your Dedicated Project Quarterback After you request a quote, we assign a dedicated engineering team leader (your "quarterback") to your project. This person takes the lead on your project with all communication and oversight to ensure timely and satisfactory completion. From plan visits and field support to in-depth tooling and engineering setups conducted at our facilities, your team lead will make it happen. Unmatched Resources for Customization and Efficiency Elbex offers a wide range of resources to help your project succeed. Our in-house custom tool and die design services lower costs and allow us to provide turnaround times of days, rather than weeks. Our experts will help you select the right materials to ensure proper performance for your specific application and environment. We also provide a variety of technical resources (as well as the expertise of our own team) to fine-tune new designs or troubleshoot issues. The Elbex Advantage: Why Tailored Solutions Excel Custom solutions always deliver better results than standard designs. With Elbex, you get precision and performance that are optimized for your application. We seek to be a proactive partner who will help you address design challenges, while also guaranteeing a high level of quality with our hands-on approach. This fully integrated in-house approach ultimately saves you time and money – even as you get better results. With our team’s unwavering commitment to designing custom rubber extrusion profiles for specific applications and our ability to deliver customized extrusion solutions, you can count on Elbex to provide the components you need. Contact us today to bring your next rubber extrusion project to life by calling 877-302-0423 or filling out our online RFQ form.
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.
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.
