Monthly Archives: June 2015

Adhesive Taping vs. Mechanical Fastening

Video: How to Attach Taped Rubber Parts
Video: How to Attach Taped Rubber Parts

Learn how adhesive taping attaches rubber parts to plastic, metal, and glass surfaces – and why taped gaskets provide a strong, reliable alternative to mechanical fasteners such as bolts and screws. Then, download the Make It or Buy It? E-Book. 

Rubber parts such as door seals, edge trim, and weather stripping can be attached to plastic, metal, or glass surfaces. Mechanical fasteners like screws and bolts are strong and reliable, but installation is time-consuming. The use of adhesive tapes can speed assembly, but taping also offers other important advantages. By understanding these benefits, and how high-strength adhesive tapes compare to mechanical fasteners, you can choose the best attachment method for your rubber parts. If taping is right for your sealing or insulation application, you can then decide which type of taping you need. (more…)

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EPDM Gasket Fabrication: Water Jet Cutting, Bonding, Taping

EPDM gasket fabrication supports environmental sealing and electrical insulation. Learn how Elasto Proxy custom fabricates EPDM profiles into finished EPDM rubber gaskets. Then, download the Sealing Essentials E-Book. EPDM gaskets…

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Extruded Rubber Profiles for Custom Seals and Gaskets

Video - Extruded Rubber Profiles
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Learn how extruded rubber profiles are made, and how custom fabrication converts elastomeric stock materials into specialty seals and custom gaskets. Click here for Elasto Proxy’s catalog of standard profiles.

Rubber extrusion is a manufacturing process that creates stock materials or profiles with a fixed cross-section such as a U-shaped channel. First, uncured elastomers are pushed or drawn through a specialized metal tool called a die. Later, the rubber compound is cured through vulcanization, a chemical conversion process that uses heat and sulfur to impart durability and improve mechanical properties.

Rubber extrusion is used with many different types of elastomers, and this rubber manufacturing method supports complex cross-sectional profiles with an excellent surface finish. Because extrusion mixes and blends the raw materials, the cured rubber offers consistent strength and a uniform appearance along the length of the profile. Standards from the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) define part tolerances based on physical dimensions and an RMA class of high precision, precision, or commercial. (more…)

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Vulcanized Gaskets and Rubber O-Rings

Hot SplicingLearn about hot splicing for rubber gaskets, and how vulcanization creates O-rings, door gaskets, window gaskets, and other spliced seals.

Hot splicing or vulcanization is a cost-effective joining technique for creating continuous seals or endless gaskets from cut lengths of rubber products. First, a heat-activated adhesive is applied to the ends of sponge or solid profiles. In addition to rectangular profiles, rubber products such as round cords, industrial tubing, and irregularly-shaped rubber profiles can be hot spliced, too.

Next, the ends of the profiles are pressed together and placed in a hot mold or vulcanizing press. The heat activates the rubber-based glue, and pressure from the mold or press creates a reliable, attractive joint for continuous sealing. Proper dwell time is important, and hot spliced gaskets should be stored under controlled conditions in warehouse environments according to standards such as DIN 776 or ISO 2230.

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