Chemical resistance
What is chemical resistance? Different rubber compounds are susceptible or resistant to different media. The typical risk contact media include oils, solvents, acids, bases, gases and water vapor. Depending on the area of application and potential contact media, the rubber material should be selected with care. According to DIN 53521, the extent to which the […]
Tear propagation resistance
What is the tear resistance? The tear resistance indicates the force a rubber can withstand when pulled apart after the structure of the rubber has been weakened by an incision. The drawing direction is perpendicular to the incision. The unit is N/mm. There are two methods of determination. In the strip test according to DIN […]
Thermoplastic elastomers
What are thermoplastic elastomers? The material consists of elastic polymer polymer chains and thermoplastic areas. They combine the most important features of both material classes: the elasticity and pressure resistance of elastomers and the formability of thermoplasticsat higher temperatures. On cooling, the plastic solidifies again and returns to its elastic properties. It thus forms an […]
Thermoplastic
What is a thermoplastic? Non-elastic plastics that can be deformed at higher temperatures are called thermoplastics. Unlike thermosetsthe plastic mass liquefies when heat is applied, making it malleable without returning to its original shape. On cooling, the plastic mass solidifies again. This process can be repeated at will. It is a purely physical process. The […]
Thermoset
What is a thermoset? Thermosets are non-elastic plastics that are characterized by a very high degree of cross-linking between the polymer chains. polymer chains between the polymer chains. The degree of cross-linking is even higher than with elastomersas they are chemically cured and not vulcanized. vulcanized vulcanized. They differ from thermoplasticsin that they do not […]
Cold resistance
What is cold resistance? At very low temperatures (-20 °C and below), elastomers can harden and lose their special properties of elasticity , pressure resistance and tensile strength . If rubber parts are used at these temperatures, cold resistance is particularly important to ensure continued functionality. For example, good cold resistance can be achieved with […]
Fatigue
What is fatigue? Fatigue describes the condition in which the rubber becomes limp and exhausted due to constant strain. It is a special form of ageingwhich is not caused by external influences, but simply by constant stress.
Density
What is density? The density of a body is the ratio of its mass to its volume. The density does not depend on the elastomer type, but on the elastomer compound. It is expressed by the Greek letter Rho (ρ) and, in the case of plastics, is often described by the unit g/cm³, where m […]
Rebound resilience
What is rebound resilience? Rebound resilience is a measure used to describe the damping of rubber components. It describes the percentage by which the test specimen moves away from the elastomer is pushed back by the elastomer. A high value means low damping. Flummis (rubber balls) are known in everyday life for their very high […]
Elongation
What is stretching? The stretchability of a material can be determined by comparing the length of the stretched fabric with the original length. The difference in length is usually given as a percentage, but the force required to generate the elongation can also be given in N/mm². IMPORTANT: In vibration technology, installed rubber parts (buffers, […]
Ageing
What is ageing? Ageing, i.e. the change (usually deterioration) of physical and chemical properties over a long period of time, occurs with every rubber. As rubber is an organic product, it is very reactive under certain influences, which can cause cracks or embrittlement. Typical triggers of ageing are heat, oxygen, ozone, moisture, mechanical stress and […]
Abrasion
What is abrasion? Abrasion corresponds to the removal of a material surface by mechanically occurring friction. The resistance of a material to abrasion is measured in a standardized way and specified as an abrasion index. The rubber is clamped onto a roller and rolled against emery paper at a constant contact pressure. The volume loss […]
Synthetic rubber
Synthetic rubber Synthetic rubber refers to all elastomersthat are not natural rubber and is a product of organic chemistry. It is produced from heavy gasoline (naphtha), which is obtained from crude oil in a refinery. The building blocks (monomers) of heavy petrol are polymerized and then converted into rubber by vulcanization. The monomer (smallest molecular […]
Vulcanization
What is vulcanization? Vulcanization is the formation of cross-links between the individual polymer chains. polymer chains of the rubber when heat is applied. The produced natural– or synthetic rubber is initially only available as an uncrosslinked thermoplastic (plastic mass). The rubber gains its rubber-like properties through vulcanization. During the first vulcanizations(Charles Goodyear, 1839), sulphur chains […]
Use
How is a vibration damper used? A rubber mount for vibration damping is used between the machine and the foundation or frame so that the vibrations generated by the machine are reduced. Depending on the design of the rubber-metal element, there are different types of mounting: threaded bolts, internal threads, flanges, … Rubber-metal bearings are […]
Waste disposal
Where can a rubber article be disposed of? Small quantities of all rubber/rubber-metal articles for vibration damping can be disposed of with household waste. Larger quantities can be taken to the recycling/recyclables yard, with a high metal content usually also to the scrap yard.
