Leading Rubber Extruder Manufacturers

Rubber Extrusion Process

A rubber compound is put into an extruder to begin the rubber extrusion process. The substance is put into a feed hopper, which transfers the substance into different flutes of a rotating screw. The rubber will start to go into the die as the screw turns, and as it approaches the die itself, pressure and temperature will rise.

The pressure that builds up as the material enters the die forces it through the apertures, where it will subsequently expand to varying degrees depending on the composition and hardness of the material. Due to this tendency to swell, many extruded items need plus or minus tolerances on their cross sections. Depending on the rubber compound employed, the extruded rubber will expand or shrink in its cross-section and length during vulcanization. A rubber extrusion’s length will often shrink in size more in the middle than the ends after vulcanization.

Rubber Extruder Applications

Both natural and synthetic rubber can be extruded, as can the majority of industrially relevant raw materials that can be liquefied. Weatherstripping, trim items, little grommets, and big bumpers are just a few examples of which form industrial products of rubber extrusions can take. A rubber extruder used by a business that provides services to the heating and cooling sector will be set differently from equipment that provides services to the automobile industry since the demand for rubber extrusions varies from industry to industry.

Products from Rubber Extruders

• Rubber Bushings: Extruded rubber bushings act as shock absorbers in moving machinery. They keep moving parts separate from one another and prevent vibration and noise from resonating throughout a system. They are commonly seen in automobile systems, particularly in suspension components. Most rubber bushings have hollow cylinder shapes that can be easily produced using the extrusion process. The dimensions of the part or shaft it fits into define its length. Some rubber bushings are only used in their unprocessed state, whereas others are enclosed and connected by metal sleeves or casings.
• Rubber Trims: Made from extruded rubber, rubber trims are used to cushion the edges and surfaces of rigid items from shocks. Panels, windows, doors, removable coverings, and hatches are examples of these items. In addition to offering impact protection, they seal the mating parts against air and water leaks. There are countless rubber trim profiles available, many of which are developed specifically for a particular use. A U-channel is one of the most widely used shapes for rubber trim. Fasteners and adhesives are used to secure the rigid part's edge in the channel after it has been introduced.
• Rubber Bumpers: Rubber bumpers use the material's shock-absorbing properties, similar to rubber trim and bushings. In addition to this quality, the materials used in the compounding process to create rubber bumpers also include a small amount of abrasion resistance to increase their durability. They are frequently employed in road safety equipment, jetty, boat fenders, docks, and loading bays for trailer trucks. Rubber bumper cross-sections often have a D-shaped shape. As a result, the bumper can have one side fastened to a wall while the other side takes the impact. The impact-absorbing side's rounded design shields the crashing vehicle from harm.
• Additional Products: Regardless of the type of material used, extrusion is frequently used to create rubber tubes, hoses, and pipes. Hydraulic and pneumatic controls for industrial equipment frequently employ rubber extrusions. Rubber extrusions are widely used in the production equipment of food and drugs. Thanks to its exceptional flexibility, rubber can be bent into any shape without harm. These qualities make these goods appealing for joining various machinery for moving fluids such as compressed air, oil, water, and chemicals.

Finishing Processes for Rubber Extrusions

Punching

For extruded items that become bumpers, fenders, or hatch seals, holes or slots must typically be punched into the rubber. These come in various sizes and forms and can be used on parts for alignment, venting, and fastening.

Cutting

Not all extrusions are the correct length after being vulcanized. Rubber extrusions must then be cut to the desired length. With an offline cut, it is possible to produce angles or miters with tighter tolerances. Fly cutters and guillotines can quickly cut smoother or shorter lengths of extrusion.

Printing

Printing numbers inline after vulcanization provides an alternative for traceability. The parts can be printed with identifiers like websites, phone numbers, times and dates, lot or batch numbers, patent identification numbers, and, in some situations, barcodes.

Drilling

Drilling is similar to punching; following vulcanization, extrusions can have holes and slots drilled into them. Compared to punching, this technique can handle thicker and harder materials.

Forming the Corners

It is feasible to mold two extrusions together after the extrusion process. This ability makes it possible to make frames and corners for window and container door seals.

Riveting and Welding

Specific extrusions can be welded or riveted to other materials to create specialized goods like the flexible rollaway bank ladder.

Choosing the Correct Rubber Extruder Manufacturer

To make sure you have the most productive outcome when purchasing rubber extruders from a rubber extruder manufacturer, it is important to compare at least 4 manufacturers using our rubber extruder directory. Each rubber extruder manufacturer has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each rubber extruder business website using our patented website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple rubber extruder manufacturers with the same quote.