Extruded Rubber
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Rubber extrusion is the process of manufacturing raw plastic materials into a formed profile using high heat, pressure, and a specially-created die. Through this process, a nearly endless array of extruded ubber products can be created. Rubber extrusion is ideal for high-quantity manufacturing.
Rubber Extrusion Process
The first stage of rubber extrusion sees raw rubber materials (or resin, generally in the form of small pellets) gravity-fed from a hopper into a specialized extrusion machine. Colorants and other additives can be added to the resin prior to the material being placed in the hopper. The rubber material passes through an opening at the bottom of the hopper into a tube called the barrel, where a rotating screw mechanism forces the resin down the length of the barrel. The barrel is heated to above the melting point of the rubber, gradually transforming the rubber into a molten state as it moves through the barrel. At the end of the barrel, the now-molten rubber is pressed through a screen which removes and particle contaminants and unmelted materials. Pressure in the screening stage can exceed 5000 psi in some instances. After it has passed through the screen, the melted rubber is fed into the die that will shape it into the final product's form. This die must be carefully designed to provide even material flow into its voids, as uneven flow can create undue stresses that can both damage the extrusion equipment and cause defects in the end product. The size and shape possibilities for extruded rubber products are all but limitless. Once the die has been properly filled and the plastic formed into the desired shape, the extruded plastic is ejected from the die. From there, it is cooled in a sealed, pressurized water bath. Carefully vacuum-controlled pressure helps the rubber maintain its shape as it cools.Extruded Rubber Manufacturers
- Northwest Rubber Extruders, Inc., is a leading provider of custom extruded rubber products, as well as items extruded from plastic, silicone, and other elastomeric materials.