Yearly Archives: 2015

Rubber Truck Bumpers for Impact Resistance

Video - Rubber Truck Bumpers from Elasto Proxy
Video – Rubber Truck Bumpers from Elasto Proxy

Rubber truck bumpers from Elasto Proxy help keep trucks and trailers on the road instead of in the shop. Learn how these impact-resistant rubber bumpers meet ASTM standards, and are available in 10 different types for vehicle protection.

Rubber truck bumpers help protect trucks and trailers as they backup to loading docks, or when a driver opens the truck’s side doors. They absorb energy from low-speed collisions and low-force impacts while helping to keep trucks on the road instead of in the body shop. These rubber auto parts cost less than truck body repairs, and are easy-to-install with standard metal fasteners such as screws, bolts, and washers.

Rubber truck bumpers are made from elastomeric compounds that can withstand sunlight, rain, snow, and incidental contact with petroleum products and automotive chemicals. SBR and EPDM rubber are good choices because they can handle these road conditions while providing good tensile strength and abrasion resistance. (more…)

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NSF/ANSI 61 Gaskets for Drinking Water Systems

Video - NSF/ANSI 61 Gaskets for Drinking Water Systems
Video – NSF/ANSI 61 Gaskets for Drinking Water Systems

NSF/ANSI Standard 61 establishes health-related requirements for rubber seals and gaskets used in potable water systems. Learn how NSF/ANSI 61 can affect your project’s costs, how there’s a difference between NSF/ANSI 61 complaint and NSF/ANSI 61 approved materials, and how water jet cutting and infrared splicing create high-quality custom rubber gaskets.

Custom rubber gaskets that are used in drinking water systems need to be free from chemicals that can leach into water supplies and affect human health or cause unpleasant tastes and odors. Additives such as plasticizers, antioxidants, and solvents are designed to impart desirable material properties, but can react unfavorably with water treatment chemicals such as chlorine. Leachates from rubber gasket materials can also affect the formation of fungi, algae, and bacteria.

Technical buyers and product designers whose organizations specialize in drinking water systems are familiar with these problems already. Building and construction companies also need to understand the risks – and the requirements for mitigating them. By choosing a gasket fabricator that understands requirements such as NSF/ANSI 61, you can source the right materials and receive high-quality plumbing components that support your projects. (more…)

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Infrared Splicing for Custom Rubber Gaskets

Video - Infrared Splicing from Elasto Proxy
Video – Infrared Splicing from Elasto Proxy

Infrared splicing isn’t the same as hot splicing, but both joining techniques offer advantages. Which splicing technique is right for your custom rubber gaskets – and how do these film splicing methods compare to cold bonding?

Splicing joins lengths of extruded rubber to create elastomeric products such as hollow O-rings, low-closure force seals, and large-diameter profiles that are too expensive to mold.  Splicing methods vary, and choices include film splicing, cold bonding, C-press injection molding, and vulcanizing. By working with an experienced gasket fabricator, you can select the right splicing technique for your application.

Each splicing method offers advantages, but film splicing creates strong bonds without adhesives. This joining method also supports fast cycle times and creates strong corners that won’t crack. Film splicing isn’t new, but it’s important to understand how infrared splicing compares to traditional hot splicing. For larger seals, more durable splices, and an alternative to molded parts, IR splicing is a strong choice. (more…)

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Certified Transit Grade (CTG) Seals Resist Flame, Smoke, and Toxicity (FST)

Video - CTG Seals Resist FST
Video – CTG Seals Resist FST

Elasto Proxy custom-fabricates EPDM gaskets made of certified transit grade (CTG) rubber that resists flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST). Technical buyers and design engineers who source custom-fabricated CTG seals can meet mass transit industry requirements and precise project specifications.

Mass transit systems need to operate efficiently while ensuring passenger safety and controlling costs. Bus accidents, train derailments, and subway delays capture the headlines, but the mass transit industry must manage other risks, too. Fires within a cabin, vehicle, or passenger car can do more than burn seats, wall panels, and other interior components. Smoke from combustion reactions can obscure escape routes. Burning materials that release toxic gases can also overwhelm passengers and employees, too. (more…)

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Rubber Sheets for Flooring, Sealing, EMI Shielding, and Insulation

Rubber Sheets - Video
Video – Rubber Sheets from Elasto Proxy

Rubber sheets aren’t only used for flooring. They’re also used for environmental sealing, EMI shielding, and sandwich-style insulation against heat, noise, and vibration. Choose standard sheet stock or specialty sheeting, and ask Elasto Proxy to use water jet cutting and laminating or adhesives to create your custom solution.

Rubber sheets are used for sealing and insulation in industrial, commercial, and military applications. Many different types of rubber sheet stock are available, but an off-the-shelf product may not be right for your application. By working with a custom fabrication specialist, industrial buyers and designer engineers can source standard or specialty elastomers and then have rubber sheeting cut to size. Elastomeric sheets with laminates or adhesives already applied can also speed sheet installation. (more…)

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Industrial Tubing for Low Compression Sealing and Shock Absorption

Video - Industrial Tubing from Elasto Proxy
Video – Industrial Tubing from Elasto Proxy

Industrial tubing that’s made of rubber or plastic provides low compression force sealing and shock absorption. So whether you’re thinking about replacing metal tubing, or wondering which type of rubber tubing or plastic tubing is right for your application, Elasto Proxy is ready to help.

Industrial tubing is used in fluid transport, electrical sheathing, and structural applications. Metal tubes resist high temperatures and provide physical strength, but typically cost more than rubber or plastic tubes. Some metals are also subject to rust, corrosion and scaling – problems that can reduce flow rates and cause higher pressure drops. For industrial buyers and design engineers then, choosing the right type of industrial tubing begins with material selection. What type of tubes do you need for your application? (more…)

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Fluorosilicone Gaskets for Sealing and Insulation

Fluorosilicone Gaskets
Video: Fluorosilicone Gaskets from Elasto Proxy

Fluorosilicone gaskets combine the high and low temperature resistance of silicones with the fuel and oil resistance of fluorocarbons. Some fluorosilicone gasket materials also resist abrasion and provide EMI shielding. Is fluorosilicone the right rubber for your gasketing application?

Fluorosilicones combine the temperature resistance of silicones with the fuel, oil, and solvent resistance of fluorocarbons. Applications for these extreme-environment elastomers include automotive, aerospace, defense, electronics, and semiconductor manufacturing.

For technical buyers and design engineers, however, choosing the right rubber can involve more than just specifying a temperature range, oil or fuel type, and industry. Is flurosilicone rubber right for your sealing and insulation application? If so, what type of fluorosilicone compound do you need? Some provide specialized properties that you might not expect.  (more…)

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How to Choose Rubber Edge Trim

Video: Rubber Edge Trim from Elasto Proxy
Video: Rubber Edge Trim from Elasto Proxy

Rubber edge trim protects metal surfaces and provides sealing and insulation. Learn how to choose edge trim for your application, and how durometer (hardness), core type, and elastomer type affect product selection. Then when you’re ready, download the product catalog.

Rubber edge trim is used to finish and protect exposed metal edges while providing sealing and insulation. Applications include car doors, truck cabs, machine guards, kitchen equipment, and other sheet metal surfaces. For technical buyers and design engineers, choosing the right edge trim means selecting the right rubber based on the application requirements. Buyers and designers also need to specify rubber edge trim with wire cores or segmented cores. Durometer, or the rubber’s hardness, is also important. (more…)

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Rubber Channels for Sealing and Insulation

Rubber Channels from Elasto Proxy
Video: Rubber Channels from Elasto Proxy

Rubber channels keep window glass from rattling and seal out wind, weather, and water. Learn how to select rubber channels for your application, and how custom channels are fabricated from standard rubber profiles.

Rubber channels help to secure window frames and hold window glass in place. They eliminate rattling and provide protection against weather, water, dust, rust, and drafts. Most rubber channels are formed through extrusion, a manufacturing process that creates profiles with complex cross-sections and a smooth surface finish. Beaded rubber channels contain stainless steel beads to support installation without stretching or pulling. Unbeaded glass run channels with coated linings are also available.  (more…)

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Neoprene Gaskets for Oil Resistance and Outdoor Sealing

Video: Neoprene Gaskets
Video: Neoprene Gaskets

Neoprene gaskets are made of oil-resistant elastomers that also provide weather resistance and environmental sealing. Learn more about neoprene rubber’s applications and advantages, and how finished neoprene gaskets are custom-fabricated from standard neoprene profiles.

Neoprene gaskets provide resistance to oils, greases, and waxes; oxidation and ozone; and weathering and water immersion. A type of synthetic rubber (SR), neoprenes are a large family of elastomeric materials that are available in various types or grades. Some are compounded with EPDM or NBR to impart specific properties. Chemical, temperature, and flame resistance varies by neoprene compound, but neoprene rubber is generally known for its oil resistance and use in outdoor applications. (more…)

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