SBR Rubber Extrusions: Elbex's Formula for Strength, Durability, and Versatility

August 12, 2024

Rubber extrusions play a valuable role in a wide range of industries. Of course, the right type of rubber for a particular application may vary based on its properties and the nature of the application. At Elbex, we’re proud to offer a variety of rubber materials, including SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber). With its abrasion resistance, flexibility, and impact resistance, SBR is well-suited for the creation of high-performance extrusions.


SBR: A Deep Dive Into its Advantages


SBR has several distinct traits that make it an excellent choice for many applications. SBR is exceptionally resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for applications with friction or high contact. It can also maintain its elasticity over a wide temperature range, ensuring consistent performance even in variable conditions. SBR also has strong impact resistance. Its ability to absorb shocks and impacts makes it well suited for cushioning and vibration dampening applications. 


Even with these advantageous performance characteristics, SBR is surprisingly affordable. Its cost effectiveness makes it a highly practical choice.


Elbex’s Expertise in SBR Extrusions


At Elbex, our team has ample experience developing and manufacturing SBR extrusions. Our custom formulation experience enables us to tailor SBR compounds to your needs, including the adjustment of properties like hardness, color, and UV resistance. We can also design complex profiles and custom shapes for specialized applications.


Regardless of whether you need standard or custom extrusions, our state-of-the-art extrusion process ensures precise dimensions, consistent quality, and optimal performance–every time. Rigorous quality assurance protocols throughout the process ensure that every SBR extrusion meets the highest possible quality standards.


Applications of Elbex’s SBR Extrusions


SBR extrusions are used in a wide range of applications. In the automotive industry, SBR extrusions are commonly found in seals, gaskets, weatherstripping, and other components that require durability and abrasion resistance. 


SBR extrusions play a similar role in construction when used in window and door seals, while also commonly being used for expansion joints or vibration dampening elements. In manufacturing, the resilience and flexibility of SBR makes it an excellent choice for conveyor belts, hoses, gaskets, and other industrial applications.


When you choose Elbex for your SBR extrusions, you can have confidence in the quality and customization options that are made possible through our team’s expertise. Contact us today to discuss your specific extrusion needs.

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

By 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.