Introduction

It is very common to expect elastomers to deteriorate over time. Both natural and manufactured rubbers deteriorate and go through aging and other kinds of changes over time, which affects their performance. However, the extent of impact and the time it takes for the deterioration to set place depends on the initial quality of the elastomer and the efficiency with which it was produced in the first place.

This blog will take you through what rubber deterioration is and what to expect when rubber deteriorates. 

What is rubber deterioration?

Deterioration is the process of gradual decline or worsening of a state. Hundreds of different kinds of small and huge rubber components are used in different industries. All these components come with a certain promised quality that facilitates seamless functioning.

With use, just like any other product, these rubber components are affected by various external and internal factors. This is called rubber deterioration. There is no way you can avoid deterioration. However, you can improve the life of your rubber components by choosing the right component manufacturer and by maintaining the components as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

We also have a separate blog that talks about rubber quality and why it is important. Do check that, too, after you are done reading this article.

How does rubber deteriorate?

Rubber deteriorates due to physical, chemical, or biological causes. Some of the common reasons for deterioration are:

1. Radiation
2. High temperature
3. High humidity
4. Oxidation
5. Pollutant gases
6. Physical stress

Different kinds of radiation may cause different kinds of damage to elastomers. UV radiation, especially, is harmful. The more the exposure to UV radiation, the worse is the damage. Ozone affects different types of rubber in different ways.

For instance, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, and natural rubber have poor resistance to ozone, while neoprene rubber and silicon rubber have outstanding resistance to ozone. So, when you choose nitrile rubber, you have to expect that this rubber deteriorates quicker when exposed to sunlight.

Some plastics, like nylon or polyester, absorb moisture more than others. As a result, they may swell up when exposed to damp places.

Rubber deteriorates when exposed to oxygen. Oxidation causes some damage to most kinds of rubber. Here is a list of rubbers that are affected by oxidation.

Types of Rubber	Resistance to Oxidation
Natural Rubber	Good
Nitrile Rubber	Fair-Good
Neoprene Rubber	Excellent
Hypalon Rubber	Excellent
Butyl Rubber	Fair
EPDM Rubber	Excellent
Silicone Rubber	Excellent
Viton Rubber	Outstanding
Poly urethane Rubber	Excellent

Did you know that some kinds of bacteria also degrade rubber? This is also an unavoidable factor that may cause rubber deterioration with time.

How to identify and prevent rubber deterioration?

There are different ways you can identify the quality of rubber in advance so you can predict its rate of deterioration and plan in advance. There are four different techniques to know if rubber deteriorates and plan to prevent it.

DMA Analysis

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is a technique that is used to analyze the characteristics of materials. Before you choose a type of material to create rubber components, it is advised to get a DMA analysis done. This will know the material’s response to stress and strain and help understand how well it would fare under different conditions.

ASTM D573-99 Standard Test Method

ASTM D573-99 is another method that will help you understand many of the physical properties of the rubber that you choose to create components with. This standard test method evaluates the properties of a sample of rubber under laboratory conditions. If you are creating large volumes of components using a specific type of rubber, it is safer to do this test first and understand the properties of the material before creating mass volumes. This way, if rubber deteriorates, you can avoid that particular material and choose another before initiating the production process.

Ozone Testing

Ozone testing is recommended for rubber that may be constantly exposed outdoors. Controlled laboratory testing of materials is possible to identify the possible effects of ozone radiation on the material of rubber chosen.

Compound Designing

Many times, the actual material that you choose is not 100% elastomer. It is a mix of different materials and components, decided based on what physical properties you want in the final component. Since you mix different polymers, stabilizers, oils, and other fillers into rubber, this may also impact the way rubber deteriorates in the end product. Compound designing is a way of mixing the right components together so that they don’t negatively affect the component’s stability and durability.

How to stop rubber deterioration

Deterioration is an unfortunate but unavoidable part of the life of any rubber component. The simple answer to whether you can fully stop rubber deterioration is no. However, there are a few strategies you can implement to postpone the rate at which rubber deteriorates and improve its lifespan.

Choose the right rubber manufacturer

This is very important to improve the life of the rubber components you use. Make sure the manufacturer understands the importance of stability and durability and creates products using the right material. Arvico Rubber is your perfect component and manufacturing partner. All our products and raw materials undergo intensive testing to ensure they match our customers’ expectations.

Understand the qualities of the rubber you choose

Arvico Rubber offers components in about nine different rubber variants. Each of these variants has different properties. That’s why it is important to understand the variations in these and pick the right variety of rubber for your needs. For instance, nitrile rubber has poor resistance against sunlight aging. If you use nitrile rubber components in machines that are run outdoors, the rubber will deteriorate quickly and lead to the malfunctioning of the machine. Instead, pick up components made of EPDM or Viton rubber, both of which have outstanding resistance to sunlight aging.

Study the work surroundings

Sometimes, the rubber components may be exposed to harmful gases or pollutants, leading to quick deterioration. By preventing exposure to these gases or pollutants, you can increase the lifespan of the component. So study the surroundings and handle factors that may contribute to rubber deterioration.

In some cases, rubber deteriorates because the machinery with rubber components is cleaned using harsh solvents and chemicals that the rubber material cannot handle. Training the employees on the right maintenance will help prevent this from happening.

Conclusion

Rubber deteriorates due to different reasons. While all these factors cannot be eliminated, their effect can certainly be minimized with careful analysis and understanding of the type of rubber material used. Talk to your rubber manufacturer if you are confused about the type of rubber components you have. If you are ordering rubber components for your plant, understand the properties in advance so that you choose the right material.

Arvico Rubber comes with more than 50 years of experience creating high-quality rubber components for global industries. We have an in-house casting and designing team to create custom molds for individual requirements. We have created more than 50,000 individual products for clients across the world. Arvico Rubber specializes in creating diaphragms, Rubber O-Rings, Gaskets, Sleeves, Seals, Stators, PTFE components, and more such rubber components.

Introduction

Molded rubber parts are some of the most used components across industries. Molding is the process of converting natural or synthetic uncured rubber into a usable product by molding it into a shape and design of choice. In this process, a block of rubber or elastomer is pressed into a metal cavity that forms the mold.

This is then exposed to heat or pressure, which molds the block of rubber into the exact shape of the cavity it fills in. The final product is cooled down and then used.

Molded rubber has infinite uses in various industries, and the main advantage of molded rubber products is that they can be explicitly designed to meet your requirements. Some of the common molded rubber parts that you may commonly find being used are:

• O-Rings
• Diaphragms
• Rubber Bushes
• Seals
• Gaskets
• Flaps

Materials used in rubber molding

Almost all types of rubber can be used to create molded rubber parts. Depending on the properties of some of these rubbers, the best materials are listed below.

EPDM	Nitrile	Neoprene	Silicone
EPDM are excellent insulating, abrasion resistance, and vulcanizing properties Extremely resistant to ozone and UV rays Outstanding resistance to extreme heat and cold	Highly resistant to abrasion Does not absorb water Moderately resistant to acids Has high tensile strength of 3,500 PSI	Highly resistant to abrasion and acids Extremely resistant to ozone and UV rays Good resistance to extreme heat and cold High tensile strength of 3,000 PSI	Extremely durable and moldable. Greatly resistant to UV rays and ozone Does not absorb water Outstanding resistance to extreme heat and cold

Choosing the right type of rubber is very important when you want to create molded components. Make sure you talk to your rubber manufacturer to understand which material may work the best for you. This has to be decided based on the conditions the components will be exposed to.

We have a blog that talks extensively about rubber quality and how to choose the right kind of rubber. Do read this next.

Methods of creating molded rubber parts

There are three common methods used to create molded rubber parts. The manufacturer will decide the right method based on product specifications, available budget, and the required precision.

1. Compression Molding

In compression molding, compressive force is used to mold rubber into the shape of choice. Compared to the other methods, compression molding is cheaper, simpler, and has easy prototyping stages. Here, rubber is placed in the molding cavity, and compression heat is applied to mold it into the shape and size of choice. The molded rubber parts are usually perfect in size and dimensions and require no or minimal reworking later on.

2. Transfer Molding

In transfer rubber molding, the rubber is transferred from one mold or cavity to another and hence the name. Initially, the rubber is placed in a heating mold. Once it is heated to the required temperature, it passes from here through sprue holes into the actual molding cavity. Once the molded end-product cools down, the mold is opened, and the component is removed.

This is a perfect method to use when the production volume is low or when there is less lead time to get the finished product.

3. Injection Molding

Molded rubber parts can also be produced through the injection molding method. Here, the raw material is initially heated to very high temperatures until it reaches a plastic-like consistency. This is now injected into the molding cavity and undergoes high pressure and temperature here. The raw material goes through a vulcanization process inside the cavity, and this helps achieve really high precision and quality.

Injection molding is definitely more expensive than the other two methods but is used when the output quality cannot be compromised. This is also perfect for high-volume molding requirements.

How can rubber molded parts solve industrial challenges?

Handling Rattling and Vibration

When a large machine with hundreds of smaller parts works at full speed, it is normal to expect rattling or shaking. However, rattling can lead to friction and cause damage to the internal components. In such large machines, replacing even a single part is going to be an expensive affair.

Rubber components are the easiest solutions to handle the rattling issue. Good quality molded rubber products can be used to dampen the vibrations and rattling effects and protect expensive parts.

Noise Cancellation

In really large industries, handling noise pollution can be really challenging. Machines make a lot of noise when they work and when humans are constantly exposed to such high decibels of noise, it can be harmful. Molded rubber parts are also excellent noise cancellation components when used strategically.

Get in touch with Arvico Rubber to know how best to use our molded components to reduce noise within your plant.

Re-Tweaking Existing Product Design

Let’s say you want to re-tweak an existing product and want to make it more expansive or inclusive to a new client requirement. Instead of trashing the existing design and trying something new, make use of rubber moulding processes to re-tweak existing product designs. The fact that rubber is extremely moldable and flexible makes it a great choice to design at your will.

Improving Efficiency of a Machine or a Product

Problems like friction, vibrations, leaks, or choice of material can lead to a product performing inefficiently. Industries can smartly make use of molded rubber parts to improve the efficiency of a machine or a product easily. This saves the industry time and money.

Handling sealing challenges

In certain industries that use harmful gases or liquids in their production process, 100% sealing is a requirement and not a choice. Rubber molding is one of the most trusted methods to pick seals or valves that fit your machine perfectly. Buying ready-to-use seals may not give you the results that you are looking for.

Rapid Prototyping – can this be used?

This is becoming a very common question that most rubber manufacturers are being asked when the clients come for prototyping. Rapid prototyping is a newer trend in the molded rubber parts industry.

Prototyping is the act of creating a sample to check its quality, sizing, and dimensions before the full-fledged production process starts. Ideally, whatever method has been chosen to mold rubber in (compression, transfer, or injection) will be used to create prototypes.

These days, the trend of using 3D printing is on the rise. 3D printers create prototypes, and the process is rapid and really cheap.

However, it is to be noted that 3D printing is still an evolving technology. We would suggest clients create prototypes with both 3D printing and the traditional methods to see how different they turn out and then make a decision. Relying only on 3D printed prototypes may cause slight deviations in the size and shape of products you actually wanted.

Why choose Arvico Rubber to manufacture your custom molded rubber parts?

Arvico Rubber has 55+ years of working experience creating rubber molded parts. We have created more than 50,000 products based on specific customer requirements. Our in-house die casting and designing team will be able to create custom molds in the exact design specifications you want. Our prototypes are made after detailed analysis, and the final components go through a variety of internal and third-party quality tests.

We have produced molded rubber products for varied industries, including pharmaceuticals, petroleum and natural gas, food and dairy processing, electrical and electronics, packaging, automotive, textile, and more.

Molded rubber parts are integral for larger appliances, machines, and tools to function seamlessly. The quality of these smaller parts you choose determines the overall efficiency of these machines. Make sure you pick the right rubber component manufacturer. Arvico Rubber believes in creating long-lasting relationships with all our clients, and we deliver what we promise.

Introduction

There are two basic types of rubber – natural and artificial (synthetic). Natural rubber is derived from the latex of the rubber tree and is flexible, moldable, strong, and has a high stretch ratio. All these features have made it one of the most sought-out materials for making all kinds of consumer products. Synthetic rubber is a type of rubber created to imitate natural rubber and is created artificially end-to-end. Synthetic rubber is more affordable, can be produced limitlessly, and can be created with properties to match requirements exactly.

Rubber is used in a variety of industrial applications and is one of the inevitable materials in today’s world. Did you know that different rubber materials are available for different purposes these days? Each of these comes with its own features and advantages, and when you want to design a rubber component, knowing the pros and cons of each type of rubber will definitely help you.

Properties of rubber

While there are so many different properties of rubber, there are three major ones that you should know about.

1. Elasticity – Elasticity is the stretch ratio of the material. The molecular structure of rubber makes it easy to stretch them, allows them to come back to their original shape, and makes it possible to mold them into shapes of choice. That’s why in 2020 alone, the world produced 13 million metric tons of natural rubber and 14.3 million metric tons of synthetic rubber for human use.
2. Thermal contraction – Thermal contraction is the behavior of rubber to contract or shrink when thermal pressure is applied. Thermal contraction makes the rubber molecules twisted and tangled, and this causes their shape disintegration. Thermal contraction is an important property that helps mold rubber into different shapes, and this also depends on the type of rubber you choose.
3. Durability – This is one property that experts love about rubber. Rubber has a relatively slow heat-buildup rate and is also extremely resilient to oxidizing agents, UV radiation, water, environmental agents, corrosion, and other factors that can damage the material. Also, when it comes to synthetic rubber, the durability can be improved drastically by mixing the right materials together.

Ten Common Types of Rubber

There are ten common types of rubbers, and they all come with their own distinct properties. Out of these, only one is produced naturally, from the latex of certain plants. Others are all synthetically produced in manufacturing facilities.

Natural Rubber – This is the only type of rubber obtained from natural sources. Natural rubber is derived naturally from the bark of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Incisions are made on the barks of the tree and a sticky, white milky fluid called latex is drawn. This process is called tapping and the latex is further processed to create natural rubber. Industrialization led to excessive demand for rubber and this was the basis for the creation of synthetic rubber during the early 1900s.

Did you know that natural rubber is a raw material used in the production of more than thousands of products, including surgical gloves, aircraft and automobile parts, and even clothes? While there are about 25,000 types of plants that produce latex, rubber can be extracted from only 2000 of these species.               

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber – Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is widely used in the production of tires and other automotive parts. Because of its high tensile strength and resilience, it is also used in the production of moving mechanical parts. This type of rubber is one of the most commonly produced types of synthetic rubber on the market right now.

Silicone Rubber – Silicone rubber is a relatively new entrant that has become an extremely preferred choice in the last few decades. Silicone is known for its malleability and biocompatibility. Biocompatibility is being non-toxic and insoluble in body fluids. It is also extremely resilient to UV, ozone, fire, and other environmental damages. This type of rubber is one of the common choices of materials used to create products in the food and beverage, healthcare, and electronics industries.

EPDM Rubber – Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber comes with many great properties like low conductivity, ozone, UV, weathering resistance, and age resistance. Because of this, the material can be used outdoors in products like roofs, sealants, hoses, and seals. EPDM rubber is also used in manufacturing certain automotive parts.

Neoprene Rubber – Another very popular type of rubber is neoprene. Did you know that it is one of the oldest synthetic rubbers on the market right now? It handles corrosion, degradation, and flames very well and hence is used in the production of high-pressure accessories like gaskets, belts, and seals.

Butyl Rubber – Isobutylene isoprene rubber or butyl rubber is chosen for its extremely high gas impermeability feature. Gas impermeability is the ability of the rubber to stay unaffected by most kinds of gases. This is why this type of rubber is a great material to use as a sealant in vacuum applications.

Nitrile Rubber – Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, or simply nitrile rubber, is derived from acrylonitrile and butadiene. It is resistant to most oils, fuels, and chemicals, and this makes it a great choice to be used in the aeronautical and automotive industries. Thanks to its high moldability, it is also used in making footwear, floor mats, sponges, and rubber foams.

Hydrogenated Nitrile (HNBR) – HNBR is better than nitrile in a way that it is more chemical and oil resistant. It can also handle higher temperature extremes than regular nitrile rubber. This type of rubber finds extensive usage in the automotive industry.

Hypalon Rubber – Hypalon rubber is a type of chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) rubber that was originally created by DuPont Performance Elastomers. The formula of the rubber was slightly changed over time, and it is largely used in the marine industry.

Viton Rubber – Viton is not a generic rubber type. It is a trademarked product of DuPont and is a fluoropolymer elastomer. This type of rubber was first introduced under the brand name Viton, and hence, right now, the brand name has become more or less a generic usage of any rubber made of fluoropolymers. Viton is chemical and oil resistant and can withstand high temperatures. It is the best choice to use when handling oxygenated automotive fuels. Viton is most commonly used in making O-Rings, seals, and gaskets.

Conclusion

Picking the right type of rubber and good quality of rubber is the most vital step in creating products of your choice, in the specifications you need. It would always help to talk to an expert to understand what rubber choices would suit you. Get in touch with Arvico Rubber experts for any questions you may have about natural and synthetic rubbers and their types and usage.

Introduction

There are so many kinds of rubber on the market right now. The features of rubber depend on whether the rubber was extracted naturally or produced synthetically and the kind of additives and catalysts added during the production process.

That is why rubber quality is an important term to consider when you are choosing rubber components for your products. You would be surprised at how many small and big rubber components industries will regularly need to help equipment and heavy machinery function seamlessly and add to the manufactured products.

What is Quality of Rubber, and Why is it Important?

There are so many types of rubbers available in the market. Some of the common ones that Arvico Rubber deals with are:

• Natural rubber
• Nitrile rubber
• Butyl rubber
• SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber)
• Neoprene
• Teflon
• EPDM
• Silicone

All these rubber types have their own features. The quality of rubber could mean how adaptable the features of the rubber are for your requirement. For instance, consider this example.

Nitrile rubber is one of the most common choices for making O-rings. This is because they have excellent sealing abilities and are resistant to most abrasive materials. However, their ability to handle ozone and sunlight is very poor.

As a result, if you decide to use your O-rings in outdoor equipment, then the ring will probably break/get damaged soon, causing leakages and spills. This does not mean the rubber quality is bad. It just means that you have chosen the wrong kind of rubber.

In other cases, the molded rubber product that your manufacturer designed for you could be mechanically incorrect, meaning it does not serve the purpose it was created for. Even if the right quality and type of rubber were chosen, in this case, the product gets unusable.

Commercial Rubber and Specified Grade Rubber – Which One to Choose?

Let’s say you choose a particular type of rubber offered by the manufacturer and understand all its features and specifications. However, you are unhappy with one of these features and ask for an up-gradation or customization to improve that particular feature. In this case, it becomes a specified grade rubber. Let us understand with an example.

 If you are interested in using neoprene rubber to create your gaskets, While the rubber quality suits almost all your needs, let’s say you are not very happy with the rubber’s permeability to gases. You want a material that is non-permeable to gases you use in your industrial setting.

So you can ask your manufacturer to customize the material to add in this feature, making it a specified grade rubber. A specified grade rubber can either be created to match the needs of the customer or that of an international standard.

A commercial-grade rubber will meet all the basic requirements and is to be used as such, without any specific additions requested. The quality of rubber will automatically be designed to suit most commercial applications.

How Do you Choose the Right Quality of Rubber for Product & Application?

Rubber technology is such a vast topic right now, and there are so many types of rubber and features for you to check out. Therefore, it would always help to talk to an expert to understand your needs right. We at Arvico Rubber always have one-on-one conversations with our potential clients and be upfront about our process, the pricing, and the expected results.

In fact, our experts have often offered out-of-box solutions to problems our customers come with and have enhanced their applications/products. We don’t stop with creating rubber components. We take a personal interest in our customers’ businesses, helping them get the perfect products to upgrade their business.

How to Test the Quality of Rubber?

There are different laboratory tests that you can conduct to test the quality of rubber. Such laboratory tests need to be conducted in specific environments. Many rubber manufacturers have both an in-house team to conduct quality tests and hire third-party service providers to audit the quality of rubber.

Arvico Rubber conducts the below tests to ensure that the rubber quality is up to the mark every time components leave our premises.

1. Hardness testing
2. Tensile strength testing
3. Compression strength testing
4. Ozone testing
5. Dimensional checking
6. Finish and visual checking
7. Spark testing
8. Flex testing
9. Chemical composition testing – carried out by the IRMRA
10. Third Party Inspection

We also send material test certificates and warranty certificates depending on the products being supplied.

How Can You Ensure Consistent Rubber Quality?

Now, this is not a straight forward answer. As a customer, there is only so much you can do to check the rubber quality before the products are actually delivered to you. Checking for the quality that late may not make sense if you notice a decline in the quality of rubber. Here are things you can do instead.

• Always stick to reputed manufacturers of rubber components. They have a commitment to their customers and a quality requirement to uphold.
• Ask your manufacturer about in-house and third-party quality check processes.
• Ask for samples, if that is possible. This is a great idea to ensure the component exactly matches your requirements.

Are you unhappy with the current rubber components quality that you receive? Do get in touch with us to know how you can better this. As a rubber component manufacturer with 55+ years of experience, we know how critical these components are to the everyday functioning of our clients’ businesses.

How to check the tensile strength of Rubber?

Tensile strength is one of the rubber’s most important physical properties that talks about how it performs under tension. A material with low tensile strength will break/get damaged when it is pulled or compressed beyond a point. Materials with high tensile strength can withstand extreme physical stress without giving up.

The ASTM D412 test is a standard procedure to measure the rubber quality in terms of tensile strength. Here, the sample piece of rubber is cut into a dumbbell shape in per-decided dimensions. The ends of the dumbbell are pulled from both sides with equal power, and the rubber is allowed to stretch until it breaks. The extent of stretching and the force it handles are measured to identify the tensile strength.

Below is a table giving the tensile strength of different types of rubber offered by Arvico rubber.

Tensile strength of different types of rubber (in PSI)

Natural rubber	Nitrile rubber	Neoprene rubber	Hypalon rubber	Butyl rubber	EPDM rubber	Silicone rubber	Viton rubber	Poly urethane rubber
3000	3500	3000	2500	2000	3000	1100	1800	4000

Conclusion

The rubber quality that you choose plays a vital role in determining the quality of your final product. You may be looking to get rubber components for the functioning of your machinery or as components for your products. Either way, make sure you choose the right rubber components manufacturer since this makes all the difference.

Make sure you ask your manufacturer if they adhere to international standards and the properties of each of these types of rubbers.

The quality of rubber Arvico produces is one of the best in the industry. You do not have to worry about leakages, breakage, size mismatch, and other complications when choosing a brand like us.

Arvico Rubbers is one of the few Indian brands that understand the customers’ needs perfectly well and design rubber components that are precise, perfect, and match the requirements 100%. One such component we create is expansion joints rubber.

Here is everything you need to know about expansion joints.

Expansion joints give physical reinforcement to components in industrial settings. In industrial environments, vibrations, misalignments, and unplanned parts movements can cause problems in the normal functioning of the system. Such movements and vibrations can also damage expensive equipment with time.

Expansion joints are added to such joints to ensure the vibrations and movements are dampened.

Why are Vibrations and Movements Bad?

This is a question you may have while talking about expansion joints. Why are vibrations and movements bad in industrial settings? Why does one need to invest in these tiny rubber components?

• Vibration hazards are huge in workplaces. Machine vibrations can cause physical injuries to people working in the units.
• Vibrations also cause friction and lead to physical damage to expensive equipment and machines.
• In hand-held machines, physical vibrations can actually reduce blood flow in the palms and hands, and this can lead to long-term damage.
• Vibrations and movements also cause noise pollution in industrial setups.

A humble expansion joints rubber can help get rid of all these problems instantly, and that is why these are best sellers in Arvico Rubber.

Types of Rubber Expansion Joints

There are so many types of rubber expansion joints, depending on their design and usage.

• Single arch type – This type has a single arch in the middle and a full-face flange design.

• Multiple arch type – This has multiple arches in the center portion, and the arches can come together to form a tight seal that the single arch type cannot provide.

• Taper type – In this style, the expansion joints are tapered. That is, they have varying diameters on both ends of the joints and are connected by pipes.

• Offset type – If there is a misalignment in your setup, then your expansion joints manufacturer will create an offset type expansion joint that can rectify the alignment issues.

• Sleeve spool type – A sleeve pool type can slip over pipes and are to be secured with clamps. These are also available in single and multi-arch types.

• Enlarged end type – As the name suggests, one end of the expansion joint is enlarged than the other end.

• Integral Flange type – This model with a longer radial arch can be designed with both single and multiple arches. These are perfect for moving with the parts, along with providing reinforcements.

When it comes to Arvico’s products, you can choose between three variants – expansion joints with single, double, and triple arch joints. Also, these joints can be designed with or without flanges. Flanges are protruding rims or lips that help with easy connectivity and better strength.

Uses of Rubber Expansion Joint Rubber

Now, as an expansion joints manufacturer, we recommend the below kinds of usage of expansion joints.

1. To fix misalignments in pipes
2. To absorb vibrations, compressions, and expansions
3. To handle excess pressure loads in joint areas
4. To create isolation and reduce noise
5. To improve the lifespan of piping systems and other equipment
6. To help bring down the stress on equipment flanges
7. To bring down stress on the general working system.

Applications of Rubber Expansion Joints

There are so many areas where an expansion joints rubber can be used. Some of them are:

• HVAC devices
• Piping systems
• Desalination plants
• Power plants
• Ducting systems
• Chemical industries
• Pharmaceutical industries
• Refineries
• Compressors
• Sugar industries
• Marine industries
• Wood-processing industries

How Should an Expansion Joints Manufacturer Design an Optimal Expansion Joint?

• Using high-tech, state-of-art design

Without a doubt, the first thing that is needed for an expansion joints manufacturer to do is to create an efficient and high-end model. This starts with using the right skilled workers, having the right setup to create products, and having quality check processes in place.

Did you know that all products from Arvico Rubber go through multiple quality check processes, both internal and external? We are certified by multiple organizations, and our product quality speaks for itself.

• Choosing the right material

You can choose to produce expansion joints in a variety of materials, including natural rubber, nitrile rubber, neoprene rubber, butyl rubber, EPDM rubber, and silicone rubber, to name a few.

Here is a blog that talks about EPDM rubber and its applications and uses that you can read next.

Now, each of these materials has its own advantages, and the lighter the material you choose, the more flexible the joint will actually be. If you are picking expansion joints to use under high-pressure situations, then materials with high tensile strength like polyurethane rubber, EPDM rubber, or nitrile rubber are good choices. You can talk to your expansion joints manufacturer to understand these differences.

• Picking seamless design

According to experts, an expansion joint rubber that has overlapping plies and seams cannot function with 100% efficiency. That is why designing them in seamless layers is very important. The right manufacturer, like Arvico Rubber, can do this effectively, thanks to our 55+ years of experience.

• Opting for the best design quality

Our team spends a considerable part of the production process around a table, designing the perfect component for your use. Since most of our clients approach us for custom-built expansion joints, we take great care in designing them right. As a result, the product fits their needs perfectly and serves the purpose. Our design software and the molding unit work together, helping customers get the right product every time.

• Investing in thorough quality checks

We understand that quality is everything for customers, and that is why products from Arvico go through multiple quality checks before reaching you. As an expansion joints manufacturer, we assure the below quality testing facilities for our customers, for any component that they choose.

1. Hardness Testing
2. Tensile Strength Testing
3. Compression Strength Testing
4. Ozone Testing
5. Dimensional Checking
6. Finish and Visual Checking
7. Spark Testing
8. Flex Testing

Advantages of Rubber Expansion Joints

Below are the advantages of using flexible expansion joints rubber.

• Expansion joints are easy to install. You don’t have to spend additional effort or skills installing rubber joints.
• A cheaper way to minimize vibrations, noise, and friction.
• Very protective against high-pressure points. These rubber expansion joints may look tiny but can handle pressure and stress like a pro when designed with the right material.
• Flexible design – Want a really small expansion joint in millimeters? Yes, that can be done. Want an expansion joint to fit a 30-inch pipe? That can be done too. With the right rubber expansion joints manufacturer, you can design these components in any size and shape you want.
• These expansion joints can protect from heat loss too, which is an added advantage.
• Rubber expansion joints, in the right materials, can be corrosion and erosion-resistant too.

Conclusion

An expansion joints rubber from our brand can be used in a variety of industries to absorb vibration, movements, and misalignments. Depending on the specific purpose of use, you can design the expansion joint with or without flanges.

Confused whether to choose single, double, and triple arch joints? Talk to our experts to know which model will fit your needs right.

PTFE Diaphragms – Introduction

Arvico Rubber’s PTFE diaphragms are some of our portfolio’s most commonly ordered components, thanks to their exceptionally resistant properties and strength.

Did you know that PTFE was discovered accidentally? It was discovered in 1938 by an American chemist called Roy J. Plunkett. This chemist registered the material as Teflon and trademarked it in 1945.

Right now, PTFE is used to make all kinds of products starting from small kitchen appliances to surgical implants, firefighter equipment, and more. Lets read everything about Polytetrafluoroethylene.

What is Polytetrafluoroethylene?

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a type of plastic that is used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications. PTFE is commonly referred to by the brand names Teflon, Hostaflon, and Fluon. All these are trademarked names of PTFE.

This wonderful synthetic material has a non-stick surface that makes it a great choice to make rubber components from. It has multiple other beneficial features that we will cover in the coming sections. Technically, PTFE is a fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. Tetrafluoroethylene is a fluorocarbon.

Characteristics and Properties of PTFE Diaphragms

There are a lot of properties of PTFE that make it a favorite choice of material in most industrial settings.

Here are some of the notable properties of PTFE.

1. PTFE is a solid at room temperatures and has a preferable melting point of 600 K.
2. PTFE has a density of 2200 kg/m3.
3. PTFE diaphragms and other PTFE components are FDA approved, making them a perfect choice for food and beverage industries and pharmaceutical units.
4. PTFE is hydrophobic, which means water or water-based substances cannot wet the material.
5. PTFE has one of the lowest coefficients of friction when compared to most other solids. The coefficient of friction of PTFE is measured to be about 0.05 to 0.10. This is the third-lowest value, only after aluminum magnesium boride (BAM) and diamond-like carbon. This is also the reason why PTFE diaphragms are one of the most preferred diaphragms in the industry.
6. The melting point of PTFE is 326.85 °C.
7. PTFE is very slippery, and that’s why the material is used as an outer coating to prevent insects from climbing up.
8. PTFE is non-reactive to most chemicals. The only chemicals that can affect PTFE are highly reactive alkali metals and fluorinating agents like cobalt (III) and xenon difluoride.
9. PTFE is non-toxic, odorless, and tasteless, and these are added advantages that make the material a preferred choice. Industries that produce edible products choose PTFE diaphragms, especially for these factors.
10. PTFE is steam-proof too, and can hence be used in applications where high steam processes may damage the components. PTFE can also be sterilized.

Applications of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Here is a list of some of the common applications of PTFE and its products.

• Rubber components

When it comes to industrial-range PTFE rubber components, the below are options to choose from.

1. O-rings
2. PTFE diaphragms
3. Valves
4. Insulated transformers
5. Wire insulators
6. Surface coatings
7. Bearings

• Insulators

It is said that 50% of all the PTFE materials produced are for insulation and wiring purposes. These are used in computer hardware applications and in aerospace industries.

• Composites

Composites are substances made using a combination of two or more materials. PTFE is combined with fiberglass or carbon fiber to make fiberglass composites and is used in aerospace industries. Using PTFE gives these composites a non-sticky nature, which is needed in specific cases.        

• Kitchenware

One of the common uses of PTFE is in the kitchenware industry. There are a lot of utensils and cookware made from this material because of its non-sticky and hydrophobic properties.

How do Fillers and Additives Enhance PTFE Properties?

PTFE, by itself, is a very productive and robust material. However, when you use additional fillers and additives, the properties enhance even more, giving the users better benefits.

Let’s consider PTFE diaphragms, for example, here. These diaphragms have two properties that you can enhance by adding the right fillers/additives to them.

1. Creep rate – Creep rate is the rate of deformation of a material when it is subjected to constant stress.
2. Wear rate – Wear rate is the rate at which the material experiences wear and tear due to everyday use.

Now, for any diaphragm, the slower the creep and wear rate, the better it is for the product.

Many industries that produce PTFE diaphragms add fillers like bronze, steel, glass fiber, carbon fiber, graphite, and carbon to improve the product’s performance.

Depending on the fillers added, the hardness of the diaphragm can be improved, the wear rate can be bettered, the flexibility can be increased, and the ability to handle extreme temperatures can be enhanced.

Popular Techniques Used to Process PTFE Diaphragms

The properties of PTFE depend majorly on the production process. PTFE is a very tough material, and molding it into shapes of choice is usually difficult. The normal production methods don’t work effectively here.

 If you want to use good quality and effective PTFE diaphragms, check the production process used in making PTFE.

Here are some of the popular techniques used.

1. Sintering – This is the process of using hot stamping, compression molding, and pressing to force PTFE into required shapes.
2. Paste Extrusion – In this technique, a chosen hydrocarbon is mixed with PTFE prior to molding, and the mix is quickly fabricated into the shapes and sizes required. Later on, the hydrocarbon is vaporized before the mold can be pressed, stamped, and permanently set.

Here is a sample process of producing PTFE in industries.

• Chloroform is first produced using methane, hydrogen chloride, and chlorine.

• Chloroform is then combined with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride.

• This produces chlorodifluoromethane. By heating this chemical in the absence of air, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) is produced.

• TFE goes through polymerization to become PTFE.

Limitations of PTFE Diaphragms

1. PTFE is not a cheap polymer. It falls under the slightly expensive category because of the difficulty in producing end components like PTFE diaphragms.
2. Mass production of PTFE is also expensive and time-consuming.
3. It is not easy to mold or weld PTFE into different shapes. The process is effortful.
4. Joining multiple PTFE materials is quite challenging.
5. If you use PTFE diaphragms in extremely toxic atmospheres, they may get eroded or damaged.

Conclusion

PTFE, when produced right, can be a very solid and trustworthy material to use in several industrial applications. By picking Arvico products like PTFE diaphragms, O-Rings, Valves, and other components for your production process, you can also improve the processes’ efficiency and safeguard expensive equipment.

When you choose PTFE, make sure you check the way it is produced and its physical properties. If there are fillers added, do look at the compositions even more carefully.

Arvico Rubber brings to you exceptional quality PTFE diaphragms and other components that are highly resistant to chemicals and temperature. Do get in touch with us to know more. We have the capacity to produce high-quality PTFE components in mass volumes and in the exact sizes you prefer.

What is EPDM Rubber?         

EPDM Rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber) is one of the most commonly used synthetic rubbers these days. The properties of EPDM rubber is any material that is produced using petroleum products. Synthetic rubbers are used for various applications and can be molded to make all kinds of products, from tiny spare parts to humongous tires!

Did you know that the global EPDM rubber market size was 1718 kilotons in 2021? It is projected to grow to 2338 kilotons in 2026! While the automotive sector is the largest user of EPDM, it is also used widely in other areas like heating and cooling industries, refineries, food and beverage industries, chemical industries, and more.

Under the A S TM International standards, EPDM is listed as an M-Class rubber. This M-class includes EPDM and all other elastomers that contain the saturated chain of a ubiquitous polymer called polyethylene.

As the name suggests, EPDM rubber is made of three major components – ethylene, propylene, and Diene Monomer.

Arvico Rubber offers its components in different types of rubbers, and EPDM is one important kind. A lot of our customers choose EPDM rubber for its various beneficial properties.

Properties of EPDM

Check out some of the critical properties of EPDM that will help you choose between this and other types like silicone, butyl, or nitrile.

Properties	Industry values
Hardness Range (Durometer ‘A’)	40-90
Tensile Strength (psi)	3000
Specific Gravity	0.86
Heat Aging	180 degrees Celsius
Elongation post-fracture	More than 300%
Service temperature (minimum to maximum)	-50 degrees Celsius to +150 degrees Celsius

Apart from these, there are other properties of EPDM rubber you should be aware of.

• The molecular structure of the rubber is made of a single bond. This means that it is extremely resistant to external conditions, and factors like UV rays cannot break this bond as easily as double bonds.
• EPDM is also blessed with low electrical conductivity. This makes it a perfect choice to adhere to other metals.
• EPDM rubber also can insulate from external noises. This is why it is being commonly used in the automotive industry.
• The density of EPDM rubber can be between 0.90 to >2.00 g/cm3.

EPDM Rubber Applications and Uses

There are so many industrial uses due to properties of EPDM rubber, and it has become a common choice for components that would be exposed outdoors to wind, rain, UV rays, and other external factors. Here are some of the uses you should know of.

Construction – In construction industries, EPDM are favorite choices as roofing membranes and come in different widths and thicknesses.

Automotive – In the automotive industry, you can see this polymer being used generously for various purposes, including as sealants, harnesses for wires and cables, seals, bumpers, and even in brake systems. Most wiper blades are also made of EPDM rubber.

Manufacturing industries – Manufacturing industries use various Arvico Rubber’s components like diaphragms, O-Rings, seals, valves, and gaskets. They choose these components in EPDM rubber because of their favorable properties. Check out our products page. You will be able to customize any of these in EPDM.

HVAC – The Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning industry also uses EPDM rubber to make its gaskets, seals, insulation parts, PTFE, sleeves or seat rings, rubber stators, hoses, and tubing. This material is preferred for its weather-resistance properties.

Other uses – Other than the above industries, EPDM may be used for a variety of other applications, including the following.

• As insulators for electrical wires and applications
• As an elastic element in straps, hangers, tie-downs, and cords
• As solar panel elements to collect heat
• In vibrators and belts to reduce noise
• EPDM granules are mixed with flooring agents to add grip and stability while walking

Advantages of Choosing EPDM

There are so many reasons why clients prefer having their components made out of EPDM. Some of the benefits are:

• Excellent insulation properties, making it a perfect choice as sealants and insulators in electrical appliances.
• Excellent vulcanizing properties, making the rubber resilient, tough, elastic, and viscous.
• Excellent acid resistance (both concentrated and diluted), making this rubber a perfect choice for components used in chemical, pharmaceutical, and fertilizer industries.
• Excellent abrasion resistance, giving the rubber long life.
• Excellent resistance to oxidation. Oxidation is a natural process where the rubber reacts to oxygen and starts aging. Oxidation resistance improves the life of the material.
• Excellent resistance to ozone damage, making this a perfect choice to use outdoors.
• Excellent ability to manage extreme temperature changes.
• Excellent adhesion to metals and fabrics.
• Excellent tear and abrasion resistance, so you can use PDM components in rough conditions.
• EPDM rubber can also be fire resistant, adding to the safety of your unit.

Are there any disadvantages of EPDM Rubber?

 EPDM rubber may not be a good choice in petroleum-based industries as it breaks down faster when exposed to petroleum products.

Conclusion

A mid-range manufacturing company may need thousands of rubber components to function seamlessly. Each of your processes may need components made of the right type of polymer too. EPDM rubber is definitely a popular choice out there.

EPDM rubber offers many advantages to our clients’ production lines and lasts really long. If your components are to be installed outdoors, EPDM is perfect for the reasons stated above. However, make sure you explore the other types in the market too and ensure you choose the best material of all. Arvico Rubber offers components in other materials too, including Natural, Nitrile, Neoprene, Hypalon, Silicone, Butyl, Teflon, and Polyurethane.

Our experts from Arvico Rubber will be able to help you out with the right component material choice depending on your specific requirements.

Feel free to get in touch with us to know more.

Introduction

If you work in an industrial setting or run one, there is no way you haven’t heard of a rubber diaphragm. These very humble components find usage in many applications across various industries. Some vital processes may not function without diaphragms in place, and at times, when the quality of these components is not up to the mark, the risk of contamination, hazardous blowups, and equipment damage are all very high. 

What is the Rubber Diaphragm?

A rubber diaphragm is simply a membrane added between chambers to act as a sealant. In some cases, rubber diaphragms can prevent substances in two different chambers from mixing with one another. In other cases, it can also allow flow control using its shape.

A diaphragm is often round in shape, and the rubber used to create the component is flexible. The diaphragm is anchored at the periphery and the centre part of the diaphragm can push out or pull back, depending on the pressure put on it.

You can imagine a diaphragm similar in working to that of a plunger. You have to exert mechanical force with a plunger to create a vacuum and then pull back. With diaphragms, the force exerted is usually pressure changes.

How does the Rubber Diaphragm Work?

The rubber diaphragm’s flexible material makes it respond to pressure changes. When pressure is exerted on the diaphragm’s body, it moves up to a chamber or is pushed back to the other chamber. Thanks to their ability to ensure a constant pressure differential, these components can also be used as a sealant or gasket in various pieces of equipment.

How Much Force Can Rubber Diaphragms Handle?

Tensile strength is a term that talks about the resistance of any material to break under stress. In other words, it is the maximum pressure a substance can handle before breaking down under force. Now, tensile strength is an important term for a rubber diaphragm. Components will very low tensile strength may not handle the internal pressure and break or rip open halfway through.

Arvico Rubber uses multiple materials to create our diaphragms, and you may be able to choose the right material based on the required tensile strength.

Here is a list of common materials of rubber diaphragms and their tensile strength.

Materials	Tensile strength in psi
Natural Rubber	3000
Nitrile Rubber	3500
Neoprene Rubber	3000
Hypalon Rubber	2500
Butyl Rubber	2000
EPDM Rubber	3000
Silicone Rubber	1100
Viton Rubber	1800
Polyurethane Rubber	4000

Our polyurethane rubber offers excellent tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and tear resistance. The EPDM rubber is also a great choice in components where the diaphragms need to handle high-pressure situations.

Types of Rubber Diaphragms

Depending on how these rubber diaphragms are used, there are two major categories you should know of.

1. Rubber diaphragm valves
2. Rubber diaphragm pumps

Rubber Diaphragm Valves

Diaphragm valves are components that can help control fluid flow by monitoring the direction and speed of fluid that flows through it. These valves contain a thin diaphragm-like structure that helps open and close the valve.

Arvico Rubber offers two types of diaphragm valves, including:

• Weir or saddle diaphragm valve
• Straight-through or full-bore diaphragm valve
• Reverse diaphragm valve

We also have a dedicated exclusively to the working of diaphragm valves. So do check that out when you have the time.

Rubber Diaphragm Pumps

Diaphragm pumps are also called membrane pumps, and these help draw fluids from one chamber to another chamber, using pressure as a force. These diaphragm pumps act as seals, helping pumps to push fluids without the need for lubricants.

There are different types of pumps that may use Arvico’s diaphragms.

• Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pumps (AODD)
• Metering pumps
• Membrane pumps
• Dosing pumps
• Vacuum pumps
• Impellers

Advantages of Rubber Diaphragms

Here are some of the advantages a rubber diaphragm offers.

1. Offers excellent sealing features.
2. Good quality diaphragms offer airtight seals.
3. Diaphragms are relatively very affordable than other sealant methods.
4. Very low assembly cost and effort.
5. Choosing the right material can ensure your diaphragm handles high temperature and pressure changes effectively.
6. Certain materials of rubber diaphragms handle harsh environments amazingly well.
7. Can be replaced easily without fuss.
8. Diaphragms can be designed in literally any size and other specification required.

Disadvantages of Rubber Diaphragms

There may be certain disadvantages of rubber diaphragms that need to be addressed to use these components effectively.

1. Using diaphragms in high-sludge applications may cause blockage.
2. Diaphragms need to be changed regularly based on manufacturer recommendations. Otherwise, their effectiveness reduces.
3. Picking up the wrong material can lead to breakage or damage to the diaphragm, causing contamination, leakage, and even worse, escape of hazardous materials.             

Rubber Diaphragm Selection Guide

Now, a rubber diaphragm may be a very small part of your expansive industrial setup. However, when this is not chosen right, you may have to end up with inefficient processes and damage to expensive equipment. So, before you decide on the type of diaphragm needed, try to answer the below questions.

• What is the maximum temperature/pressure change the diaphragm has to handle?
• Will your process include abrasive or chemical media that can damage the diaphragms?
• How much force will the diaphragm be exposed to?
• Are there any sanitary standards to be kept in mind?
• Would you require higher flex lives?

Discuss these questions with your diaphragm manufacturer to pick the suitable material of rubber diaphragm for your needs.

We, at Arvico, do not proceed with the manufacturing process until we clearly understand the kind of diaphragm that will work the best for our client’s processes.

Where are Rubber Diaphragms Typically Used?

Rubber diaphragms are used in a variety of equipment and gadgets. Some of the common ones are mentioned below.

• Pumps
• Valves
• Control devices
• Meters
• Modulating devices like regulators
• As shock absorbers in pulsating systems and dashpots

It is also used in most industries like the ones below.

• Chemical
• Food and beverage
• Textile
• Pharmaceutical
• Oil refineries
• Medical and Life sciences

How to Install a Rubber Diaphragm?

Diaphragms are generally very easy to install and fit into the appropriate housing easily. You may need to contact your diaphragm manufacturer to understand how exactly their product is designed to be fixed. Most times, it does not take external help to install a rubber diaphragm.

Maintenance of Rubber Diaphragm

 The first step to maintaining your rubber diaphragm is to install it right. This, by itself, will give the component longevity. Most experts talk about ‘preventive maintenance,’ and we encourage our clients to do this too.

Preventive maintenance includes regularly checking for performance issues and physical damages without waiting for a problem to actually show up. Preventive maintenance is even more vital if your processes use abrasive or harmful media or extreme temperatures and pressures.

As a thumb rule, diaphragms need to be changed every couple of, despite whether or not they look damaged. So make sure changing diaphragms is in your staff’s to-do list at the right intervals.

What Media do Diaphragms Come in Contact With?

Depending on what application the diaphragms are used in, they may come in contact with so many different kinds of media, including water, oil, gases, chemicals, and other abrasive fluids. The type of rubber diaphragm and its material needs to be chosen depending on the media.

Where to Buy Rubber Diaphragms in India?

Arvico Rubber is one of the country’s leading polymer product manufacturers. We have 55+ years of experience in this industry, and our catalog includes 2500+ products that can be customized in endless ways, thanks to our 20,000+ molds.

All you need to do is reach out to us with your specifications, and our expert team will be able to recommend the right diaphragm for your needs.

Conclusion

If one tiny component plays a vital role in improving process efficiencies and safety in an industrial setup, it is a rubber diaphragm. If you think your manufacturing unit needs a positive revamp, then get in touch with us right now. If you are an original equipment manufacturer or seller, offer your customers the best possible products by choosing our quality diaphragms.

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