Our History – The Story of ELBEX
ELBEX • September 20, 2020
ELBEX was incorporated in 1991 to design and manufacture custom rubber profiles and extrusions. Since then, we have built a strong reputation as a leading extrusion manufacturer. Staying true to our past is key for ensuring a successful future.
Our Beginnings
ELBEX was founded by Edward L. Bittle, who used his experiences working in the “rubber capital” of Akron, Ohio in the 1940s and 50s to found our sister company Seal Master in 1974. As Seal Master grew, Bittle initially brought in rubber and silicone extrusion operations to expedite his company’s manufacturing process. However, this soon grew into an opportunity to provide custom rubber profiles and extrusions to others, and ELBEX was born.
Industries Served
Drawing from this rich background, our team has serviced a wide range of industries over the years. Our products have been used in automotive, water control, mass transit, construction, architectural applications, and more.
Today and Beyond
ELBEX first achieved ISO Certification in 2010, and has continued to grow as a leader in rubber extrusion manufacturing since then. By combining our experience with strong vendor and supplier relationships, we have been able to exceed customer expectations and grow our operations as we look forward to our 30th anniversary.
While our past has laid a strong foundation for our business, we are even more excited for what the future has in store. By continuing to innovate and expand our capabilities, we know that even better days are ahead.
Rubber elastomers are used in countless industries and applications, from automobiles to architecture. However, understanding the physical properties of rubber elastomers is essential for getting the right material for the right application. At Elbex, our deep understanding of elastomer characteristics ensures you’ll get the right match for your project. Key Properties of Rubber Elastomers The following properties are critical when considering which rubber elastomer is right for your application: Elasticity and resilience: Rubber has the ability to deform under stress and then return to its original shape. Important in vibration damping and shock absorption. Tensile strength and elongation: The ability to stretch and withstand pulling forces without breaking. Hardness: Is the rubber flexible or rigid? This affects its abrasion resistance and compression set. Compression set: Compression set is a permanent deformation that occurs after prolonged compression. Long-term sealing or cushioning applications require a low compression set. Temperature resistance: The elastomer’s ability to withstand high and/or low temperatures – important when considering the application’s operating temperature range. Chemical resistance: An elastomer’s resistance to any chemicals, oils, and solvents that might be present in its operating environment. Weathering and ozone resistance: The elastomer’s ability to withstand sunlight, ozone, and other environmental factors are especially important for outdoor applications. Common Types of Elastomers and Their Applications The following are some of the most common types of rubber elastomers: Natural Rubber (NR): Used for tires, footwear, and adhesives, natural rubber is known for offering excellent elasticity, resilience, and tear resistance. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR): This cost-effective elastomer offers good abrasion resistance. It is commonly used in tires, conveyor belts, and footwear. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM): EPDM offers excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, and heat. As a result, it is the go-to option for rubber roofing, as well as automotive seals and hoses. Nitrile Rubber (NBR): With resistance to oil, fuel, and chemicals, nitrile is commonly used for automotive and industrial seals and gaskets. Silicone Rubber (VMQ): Usable in a wide range of temperatures, while also offering excellent electrical insulation properties and biocompatibility, silicone is a top choice for medical devices, cookware, and electronics. Neoprene Rubber (CR): Neoprene’s flame resistance, oil resistance, and weather resistance means it is frequently used for applications such as wetsuits, adhesives, and automotive components. Elbex: Your Partner in Elastomer Solutions At Elbex, we combine an extensive elastomer portfolio (including custom formulations) with industry-leading technical expertise. You can have confidence in our ability to help you choose the right elastomer based on your specific project needs and desired rubber elastomer properties. Contact us today so we can help you make informed materials choices.
Rubber extrusions play a vital role in modern architecture. Architectural rubber extrusions are used for weatherproofing, sealing and even aesthetics. As an experienced manufacturer of custom extruded rubber for architectural applications, Elbex can provide solutions that meet the specific demands of your architectural projects. Elbex’s Expertise in Architectural Rubber Solutions The Elbex team brings decades of experience to produce successful architectural rubber extrusions. We start by using our knowledge of how different rubber compounds like EPDM and silicone match up to different architectural needs, like weather resistance and UV stability. We strive to choose materials that meet performance requirements while still matching the building’s design. This material knowledge is complemented by our advanced design capabilities. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and processes allow us to ensure tight tolerances and quality control throughout manufacturing. Our use of cutting edge software and engineering expertise, combined with our collaborative focus when working with architects and designers, also enables us to produce high-quality custom extrusions. Benefits of Elbex’s Custom Rubber Extrusions For Architecture Custom rubber profiles for architecture offer several distinct advantages. Custom profiles that are adapted to specific architectural needs lead to improved energy efficiency, weatherproofing, acoustics, and fire safety in buildings. The design freedom offered by our custom engineering also allows architects and designers to maintain the building’s aesthetic appeal without sacrificing functionality. Finally, by ensuring the right material mix is used, you can have confidence that our rubber extrusions will resist weathering and degradation. Long-term performance will greatly reduce your building maintenance costs. Applications of Elbex’s Architectural Rubber Extrusions There are many applications for architectural rubber extrusions, but the following are some of the most popular: Window and door seals: Airtight and watertight seals for doors and windows dramatically improve a building’s energy efficiency. We can create custom profiles that match unique window designs. Curtain wall systems: Rubber extrusions can help seal and weatherproof curtain wall systems, improving the building’s aesthetics and structural integrity. Expansion joints: Expansion joints accommodate movement in structures from temperature changes, settling, or soil expansion. This prevents cracks and other potential damage. For high-quality custom rubber profiles for architecture, you can count on Elbex. With our custom engineering and design capabilities, we are uniquely equipped to help architects, designers, and construction professionals bring their vision to life. Contact us today to get started.
In manufacturing, precise tooling is an absolute must, especially when creating custom extrusions. Outsourcing tooling may seem like a good idea, but this can often lead to delays and poor quality control. Instead, working with Elbex, which offers in-house tool and die design and custom tooling capabilities, can ensure you get the efficiency and quality you need. The Elbex Advantage: On-Site Tooling for Unmatched Efficiency In-house tooling provides several noteworthy advantages for your project. First, doing everything in-house eliminates outsourcing costs, which can result in significant cost savings. Doing everything in-house also streamlines the production process, dramatically reducing lead times, minimizing delays, and improving the overall project workflow. All of this enables us to improve the delivery schedule for your finished products and ensure that deadlines are met. Perhaps most importantly, however, doing everything in-house allows us to maintain meticulous control over the entire process, ensuring that finished seals and gaskets meet quality standards. Elbex’s Tooling Capabilities: From Design to Production At Elbex, we offer a wide range of custom tooling capabilities that benefit the entire manufacturing process. We use AutoCAD to create precise 2-D models, which are the foundation for accurate tooling. Our engineers also leverage their industry expertise to optimize tool and die design for specific materials and profiles. During production, we use wire EDM to create intricate shapes and complex profiles with exceptional precision, as well as sinker EDM to create complex cavities and shapes in dies and molds. Precise cuts and finishes enabled by these processes ensure consistent quality for rubber seals and gaskets, even with intricate designs. The Elbex Process: A Seamless Experience By keeping everything in-house, we offer a streamlined experience from start to finish. We begin by assessing your needs and defining tooling requirements during an initial consultation. After this, our engineering team gets to work, using AutoCAD to design and model the tooling. Once the design phase is complete, we can begin manufacturing in-house, using wire EDM, sinker EDM, and other processes as needed to achieve custom tooling. Rigorous quality control measures are implemented throughout production so that both tool and die design, as well as finished seals and gaskets, meet all necessary quality standards. With our on-site custom tooling capabilities, Elbex can deliver a seamless experience at every stage of the project, while achieving the consistent quality you need. Contact us today to discuss your custom tooling and extrusion needs.
