Industrial Rubber Ltd | Materials 0

Materials

Exceptional compounds for bespoke manufacture

Large Volume Supply
Accredited to ISO 9001:2015
WRAS Approved Products
Cost Effective UK Manufacturing

Rubber Compounds for all applications

Industrial Rubber mould a wide range of rubber compounds and have built up a vast catalogue of compounds which suit many different customer needs. With over 45 years’ experience manufacturing in the rubber industry, we can help you decide on the compound that best suits your application.

Compounds to Industry Specifications

Industrial Rubber’s catalogue of compounds meet many specifications, including; British and European standards, automotive specifications, MOD, WRAS, Rail and FDA requirements. We continue to develop new compounds to meet customer specifications and bespoke applications.  

Contact us today to discuss your material requirements.

Material Selection

Further Information on our elastomers and other materials

Compounds Manufactured Include:

  • Natural Rubber (NR)
  • Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
  • Butyl (IIR, BIIR & CIIR)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Fluoroelastomer (FKM)
  • Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM)
  • Polychloroprene (CR, (Neoprene))
  • Nitrile (NBR)
  • Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR)
  • Carboxylated Nitrile (XNBR)
  • Epichlorohydrin (ECO)
  • Silicone (VMQ)
  • Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
  • Polyacrylic (ACM)
  • Styrene Butadiene (SBR)
  • Chlorosulfonated Polythene (CSM)
  • Polyisoprene (IR)
  • Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)

Elastomers can be moulded into all kinds of shapes, making these materials incredibly useful and reliable. They have been used extensively in industrial and consumer applications as they offer elastic properties over a large temperature range which is unrivalled by other materials. Different polymers have their own particular useful properties, these properties can include:

  • Resistance to hostile environments
  • Weather resistance
  • Temperature extremes
  • Hardness & softness
  • Elasticity
  • Electrical properties
  • Mechanical properties

The variety of specialised polymers available can be confusing, we are here to guide you.

Polymer costs range greatly and can be tens or thousands of pounds per kilo so it is important to have as much information as possible in order to identify the one most suited for the application.

Some of the parameters that may need to be considered are:

  • Mechanical – Hardness, Strength, Tear, Abrasion
  • Electrical – Resistivity, Conductivity
  • Thermal – Temperature, Fire retardant
  • Chemical – Oil, Acid, Alkali, Petroleum
  • Environment – Weathering, UV, Ozone
  • Special – Food contact, Colour
  • Production – Methods
  • Service Life

Specialised polymers for extreme temperatures and chemical resistance include:

Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR) has excellent physical strength and can retain properties are long term exposure to heat oil and chemicals.
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ) compounds have enhanced resistance to hydrocarbon fuels and oils and excellent stability with extreme temperatures.
Fluoroelastomers (FKM) compounds are capable of resisting a diverse range of aggressive chemicals, oils and extremes of temperatures (-50°C to +320°C).
Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) have exception chemical resistance. They can withstand extreme temperatures and excel in sealing applications.

WRAS Approved Materials
Industrial Rubber has a long standing reputation for manufacturing WRAS approved rubber materials for hot and cold potable water applications. We offer high quality seals for potable water use and our elastomer and polymer products can be customised to meet customer specifications.

Industrial Rubber approvals include a range of EPDM materials (50-90 Shore A) and an FKM (55A). We also have access to a range of EPDM materials that are multi approved in the UK, German & French water industries.

What is WRAS Approval?
The Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS) is an independent UK certification body designed to keep products and materials that are in contact with potable water safe for use. To pass the rigorous testing standard, rubber materials are tested for effects on water quality.

WRAS Testing and Compliance
The testing procedure includes passing several checks affecting water quality:

  • Odour or flavour
  • Change in appearance (colour or turbidity)
  • Microbial growth
  • Leach substances harmful to human health
  • Leach toxic metals

Industrial Rubbers approved compounds have passed this testing and are fully certified.

To view our approvals, please visit the WRAS approvals website here.

Thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) are one of the same thing.

Industrial Rubber manufacture and supply a wide range of TPE products for a varied range of applications. In general, thermoplastic has good abrasion, low temperature and chemical resistance (excluding solvents, aromatic and vegetable oils).

Grades are available with enhanced compression set properties, high temperature, abrasion, weathering, UV and ozone resistance:

  • Minimum Service Temperature -40 to -60C
  • Maximum Service Temperature +110 to +120C
  • TPEs are Thermoplastic but exhibit elasticity similar to
  • conventional Thermoset Rubbers
  • TPEs range from Shore 00 Hardness 20 up to 90 Shore A

Advantages of TPE:

  • They can be processed on conventional plastic equipment and generally have faster cycle times than thermoset rubber
  • Can be made in a range of colours or even translucent
  • Can be co-moulded/ co-extruded with other rigid plastics
  • Can be compounded for a wide variety of physical and chemical properties

Industrial rubber has the capability to mould TPE materials and have assisted in the design of many complex and specialist mouldings. We have the expertise to guide and advise customers on the various options available to achieve a cost-effective solution for the manufacture of their part.

What is sponge rubber used for?

Sponge Rubber is used in a variety of special applications such as: shock absorbing, sealing applications and soundproofing. Sponge rubber is a remarkable material and has many properties and qualities such as weather-resistant, hard-wearing, flexible and is resistant to ageing. This makes it a cost-effective material for manufacture in industrial uses.

  • Ideal for gaskets and sealing products
  • Thermal weatherproofing barriers
  • Shock absorbing and insulation purposes

Is Sponge The Right Choice For Your Application?

Sponge is used in applications where the seal has to cope with large tolerances such as Ceramic pipes. It is used where there are low compression forces available to effect a seal e.g. Plastic boxes and closures, automotive doors/ hoods/ boot seals.
Sponge rubbers have the ability to be compressed and reduce in volume so it is used in applications where large deformations are required when fitted.

Types of Moulded Sponge

  • Silicone Sponge
  • EPDM Sponge
  • Natural Rubber Sponge
  • Neoprene Sponge

Industrial rubber have the expertise to guide and advise our customers on the various options available to achieve a cost-effective solution for the manufacture of sponge parts.

Polymers for Oil & Gas.

Extracting Oil and Gas requires the use of polymeric compounds as Packers, O-Rings and seals that have to be able to withstand a wide range of corrosive chemicals, high and low temperatures and high strength with excellent abrasion resistance. Historically, HNBR has been the polymer chosen as it has excellent physical and chemical resistance characteristics. However, with increasing Down Hole temperatures, Fluoroelastomers have become more prevalent and newer grades have been developed to handle these extreme conditions.

Industrial rubber offer a full range of HNBR and Fluoroelastomers suitable for Oil & Gas applications. We also manufacture and supply rubber to metal bonded components which are used in down well applications.

Quality + competitive pricing = value for money

Contact Industrial Rubber Ltd

Have you got a project? Get in touch with us today!