EPDM Features and Advantages

 

In the field of modern industrial manufacturing, rubber materials are widely used in various extruded rubber products due to their excellent physical properties. Among them, compound rubber, as a key raw material, further enhances the performance and application range of rubber products. This article will explore the characteristics and advantages of rubber compounds in detail, and introduce the specific applications and performances of several common rubber materials such as nitrile rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) and natural rubber (NR) in extruded rubber products.

 

The importance of rubber compounds

 

Rubber compounds are rubber materials obtained by mixing raw rubber with various ingredients and heat-refining them. Through the careful selection of formulas and mixing processes, compound rubber enables rubber materials to obtain higher performance parameters, including wear resistance, fatigue resistance, toughness and aging resistance. Compound rubber not only improves the overall quality of rubber products, but also greatly enriches the functions and application areas of rubber products. The following are several common rubber materials and their specific applications in extruded rubber products:

 

Nitrile rubber (NBR)

 

Features and advantages

 

Nitrile rubber (NBR) has become a widely used rubber material in the industrial field due to its excellent oil resistance and fuel resistance. The main components of NBR are butadiene and acrylonitrile, and its wear resistance and aging resistance are also very significant.

 

Application areas

 

1. Fuel lines and seals: Due to its strong oil resistance, NBR is often used to manufacture fuel lines and seals in the automotive and aviation industries.

 

2. Industrial hoses: NBR's oil resistance and chemical corrosion resistance make it an ideal industrial hose material for oil transportation and chemical industries.

 

3. O-rings and gaskets: Due to its wear resistance and aging resistance, NBR is widely used in the manufacture of O-rings and gaskets in various mechanical equipment to ensure sealing performance and service life.

 

Chloroprene rubber (CR)

 

Features and advantages

 

Chloroprene rubber (CR), also known as chloroprene rubber, is known for its excellent weather resistance and ozone resistance. CR also has good physical and mechanical properties, including high elongation and high tear resistance, and its heat resistance and corrosion resistance are also excellent.

 

Application areas

 

1. Cable sheath: Due to the excellent weather resistance and anti-aging properties of chloroprene rubber, it is often used to manufacture sheaths of various cables to ensure long-term outdoor use without damage.

 

2. Cold-resistant products: CR has good low-temperature flexibility, such as ice seals and diving suits, which can play its material advantages.

 

3. Building seals: In the construction field, CR is often used to manufacture various sealing strips and door and window seals to ensure the windproof and waterproof performance of buildings.

 

EPDM

 

Features and advantages

 

EPDM is mainly composed of ethylene, propylene and a small amount of diene monomers. Its biggest feature is excellent anti-aging, anti-ozone and anti-ultraviolet properties. EPDM also has good heat resistance and electrical insulation.

 

Application fields

 

1. Automobile sealing strips: EPDM is widely used in the manufacture of automobile sealing strips, such as window sealing strips and door sealing strips, due to its excellent anti-aging and heat resistance.

 

2. Roof waterproofing materials: In the construction field, EPDM is often used as roof waterproofing membranes because of its good weather resistance and UV resistance, which can withstand harsh weather conditions for a long time.

 

3. Cold storage seals: Thanks to its good low-temperature flexibility, EPDM is also suitable for seals and insulation materials in low-temperature environments such as cold storage.

 

Natural rubber (NR)

 

Features and advantages

 

Natural rubber (NR) is widely used in industrial manufacturing due to its excellent elasticity and mechanical strength. NR has excellent tensile strength, tear resistance and good wear resistance, but its oil resistance and heat resistance are relatively weak.

 

Application fields

 

1. Tire manufacturing: NR's high elasticity and wear resistance make it one of the main materials for manufacturing automobile tires, aviation tires and industrial tires.

 

2. Conveyor belts: In heavy industrial fields such as mines and quarries, NR is often used to manufacture conveyor belts due to its excellent mechanical properties to withstand high-intensity material transportation.

 

3. Shock absorbers: The excellent elasticity of natural rubber makes it excellent in the manufacture of shock absorbers and buffers, ensuring the stability and safety of mechanical equipment operation.

 

Manufacturing process of extruded rubber products

 

Extruded rubber products are made by heating the rubber mixture and extruding it through a mold. The following are the main steps in the manufacture of extruded rubber products:

 

1. Batching and mixing: First, the rubber and various ingredients are mixed and mixed through a mixer to form a uniform compound rubber.

 

2. Extrusion molding: The compound rubber is placed in an extruder, and the rubber compound is pressurized and pushed by the rotation of the screw, and the desired shape of the product is extruded through a specific shape of the mold.

 

3. Vulcanization treatment: The rubber products after extrusion molding need to be vulcanized to enhance their elasticity and strength through a cross-linking reaction.

 

4. Post-processing and inspection: After vulcanization, products need to undergo post-processing such as cutting and grinding, and strict quality inspections are required to ensure product performance and specifications.

 

Summary

 

Through an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of rubber compounds and several common rubber materials, it can be seen that the wide application of these materials in extruded rubber products has not only greatly improved the performance and reliability of the products, but also promoted the development of the entire rubber industry. Nitrile rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) and natural rubber (NR) have their own characteristics and show unique advantages in different application scenarios. With the development of technology and the expansion of application fields, rubber compounds and related products will continue to play an important role in the industrial field in the future, promoting scientific and technological progress and industrial upgrading.