Which type of rubber is best for your application? If you’re looking for “black rubber”, this question might surprise you. There isn’t just one type of rubber, however. There are many, many different types of elastomers, including various grades of the same material. That’s why you need to know about MTAP, an acronym that stands for media (M), temperature (T), application (A) and pressure.

Elasto Proxy, an experienced provider of sealing and insulation, invented MTAP and stands ready to assist you. We’re not just a distributor or fabricator of industrial rubber products. We’re a supply chain partner who can help you to reduce manufacturing waste. Put our 30+ years of rubber industry experience to work for you and ask us for help with gasket design and compound selection.     

M is for Media

The M in MTAP stands for Media. This includes fuels, chemicals, and any cleaning solutions that may be applied to your rubber products. For example, the door gasket for a fuel tank needs to resist gasoline or diesel, depending on the type of engine. For that matter, the thermal-acoustic insulation that’s used in a military vehicle’s engine bay doesn’t just need to reduce heat or sound. You may need sound absorbers and heat shields that can resist the splash of automotive fluids or chemical cleaners.

T is for Temperature

The T in MTAP stands for Temperature, another key consideration. If you’re designing a door or window seal for agricultural equipment, will your company sell this machine to farmers on the Great Plains and in the tropics? It gets cold in North Dakota and Saskatchewan but gets hot in places where sugar cane and bananas are grown. So, you’ll need to design your rubber gaskets with minimum and maximum service temperatures in mind. For engine bay insulation, continuous operating temperature could be a key consideration, especially since diesel powerplants run hot.

A is for Application

The A in MTAP stand for Application, a broad but important term. If you’re designing gaskets for heavy equipment, for example, you might need to think about whether you can install these rubber products with a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape or with metal fasteners. If you need a rubber gasket that combines environmental sealing with protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI), you have a very different set of concerns.

P is for Pressure

Finally, the P in MTAP stands for Pressure. Depending on where the rubber will be used, there may be several specifications to consider. If a gasket is for a metal tank, what is the system or internal pressure? If a rubber seal is for a pump, what is the operating pressure? To avoid seal failure, you’ll also need to consider maximum pressure. As with temperature, application, and media, it’s important to have a complete understanding of design variables. It also helps to have a trusted manufacturing partner.

Which Type of Rubber Do You Need?

Do you need help with compound selection? There are many different types of rubber and examples include EPDM, TPE, silicone, and neoprene – just to name a few. Then, when you select a compound, you’ll need to determine the durometer, or hardness, that you need to support compression and resist impact. Depending on the environment, you may also need rubber materials that can resist abrasion, specific types of chemicals, or high humidity conditions.

For over 30 years, Elasto Proxy has provided the right rubber products to companies in the heavy equipment and transportation industries.  We can help you to find the right rubber materials for food processing, medical equipment, and military or aerospace projects, too. For fast, accurate, and cost-effective fabrication, ask about our water jet cutting services. Then, because we’re a value-added manufacturer, Elasto Proxy also offers services like kitting and custom packaging.

Ready to learn more? Contact Elasto Proxy.

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