Blends Neoprene/EPDM/SBR: Industrial Commercial Grades
Most all cellular rubber manufacturers offer various grades of materials. The elastomeric blends are offered in low density higher compression set and generally provide simple properties for simple applications, as in the R 42 series of Neoprene/EPDM/SBR blends. Such blends are carefully designed to make the
best combination of economies and performance. These provide good and adequate performance applications such as low pressure moisture and air seals, anti-vibration, compression seals such as lamp gaskets and other static applications.
Neoprene/Chloroprene: Specification Grades – Moderate Performers
The Rubatex R 400 and R 411 N thru R 451 N represent a range of firmness and density in a good to excellent performing 100% Neoprene elastomer content. These serve as excellent performers in mechanical seals, automotive, aerospace, commercial, architectural, transportation, and many other medium to rugged service conditions. Due to the inherent weather and petroleum resistance, they are very good performers and would be considered as somewhat superior to elastomer blends.
G 231/ G 207 Gas Expanded: Unique Specialty Grades – Exceptional Performance
The Rubatex G 231 and G 207 are the most unique of closed cellular products. Formulated from 100% Neoprene and expanded via a unique high pressure external nitrogen gassing process (no nitrogen yielding chemicals) imparts to these products a distinctive physical property unmatched by chemically expanded rivals, the G 231-N acknowledged world wide as by far the most superior material for professional scuba diving wetsuits. Its incredible 500% elongation, resistance to tearing and snagging, its low tensile stress (ease of stretching), and low thermal conductivity(insulating) value make it the leader. The same properties make it suitable for top quality engineered products from highly resilient sealing applications to sports athletic applications where performance is desired over cost.
G 207 is a medium density version of the gas expanded Neoprene, designed to satisfy the most demanding requirements of transportation (bridge and road joint seals), architectural and high compression and elongation water stops. The lowest compression set properties of any medium grade sponge in the world coupled with exceptional resilience make it a top quality choice for die ejection pads. Other uses of the fine natural skin are in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and commercial oven
seals. This is truly a top performing material. Its ability to be repeatedly compressed, recovered, and stretched, making it a high quality performer in the architectural, road/bridge construction, and other applications where cost effective
life cycles take precedence over cost.
Nitrile/Buna N: Specification Grade NBR – Defined Engineered Applications
These materials represented by the designation R 416 and R 437 are specifically formulated using 100% Buna N as an elastomer.These products perform very well in applications requiring resistance to petroleum liquids, certain solvents and
elevated temperatures. These are considered high performing premium elastomeric foams.Uses include fuel systems, filter seals, engines and transmission applications, bearing seals, etc. or anywhere performance takes precedence over cost.
Epichlorohydrin/ECH/ECO: Engineered Grade – Exceptional Performance
These R 471 – R 475 materials represent the top of the line in organic performance cellular materials,with superior resistance to, hydrocarbon liquids and greases, ozone, low and high temperature service ranges and low compression set. These are high
performing products for transmission, engine and pump seals where that performance and reliability are essential. In most cases these outperform Nitrile/Buna N materials in some applications approaches the properties of economy grades of silicone sponge.
EPDM: Specialty Grade – Environmental and Performance Defined
The Rubatex line of EPDM materials R 495 - R 497 are high performance materials for demanding environmental conditions. Their inherent low temperature and exceptional UV and ozone resistance make them candidates for exterior applications in architectural and automotive applications.Additionally the firmer grades exhibit low compressions of set characteristics which lend themselves to repeated compression and release for closure seals . These are good performers in most areas not requiring resistance to certain oils and hydrocarbon liquids. The R 493 black and R 497 tan counterparts are useful in the die cutting industry as a very cost effective die ejection material due to its superior life cycle. The R 4911 is a very low density version of EPDM chemistry , exhibiting all the superior broad range environmental exposure properties for static seals, where cost is a consideration and compression set is not a serious requirement.
PDM /PE/ IIR: Medium Performing Specialty Grade – Defined Applications
The R 4900 series EPDM/Polyethylene/Butyl elastomeric blends are specifically formulated to provide a medium performance an economical cost. The blend provides environmental resistance similar to that of EPDM and fill a niche for applications that do not require resistance to high temperature or low compression set like air and dust seals, moisture, and in some cases impact absorption, but do require good weather resistance good insulation characteristics. These are medium performing materials were cost and performance are considerations. These materials heat form suitable for consumer designs. Their low density properties might be attractive for flotation applications.
The R 4503: Unique Engineered Properties Grade
Is an engineered product using the same blend chemistry, but specifically designed to provide electrical conductivity. A special application product useful in computers, semiconductor assembly, clean rooms anti static footwear for operating rooms, and many other uses where static control is required.
PVC/NBR: Special Application Grade, – Distinct Applications and Performance
The Rubatex R 300 and R 3100 and 3900 series are top quality product of the Polyvinyl Chloride and Buna N chemistry. Applications include sports athletic padding, knee pads, thermal insulation, acoustic, and impact attenuation. Their low resilience make them strong candidates for superior performing athletic pads, etc.. Other uses include aerospace, automotive, and many others requiring materials that must be heat sealing or be post formed with various designs.
BR: Industrial, Specialty, Novelty Grade – Defined Application
The R 8000 series is a top quality medium priced SBR (styrene budadiene rubber) was originally designed for the shoe industry where it still continues to be useful due to its fine cellular structure and availability in various colors. It lends itself to many applications from sports to novelties as well as industrial applications. Some grades are acceptable for use in food handling machinery, making it a versatile product. Its low temperature service properties and good compression set provide a wide range of design opportunities. The 8500 materials have been found to be superior performers in hobby applications such as slot car and remote controlled model racing tires.
The R 8702 product is a firm grade suitable for shoe soles, heavy equipment anti vibration padding, padding for architectural glass and a wide variety of applications where a very firm, but resilient foam is needed.
SBR/NR (Natural Rubber): Special and Defined Application Grade
The R 8534 is a special performing blend of SBR and natural rubber, suitable for a variety of applications from radio controlled model race car tires to footwear applications. The SBR component adds the toughness while the natural rubber provides superior resilience and energy return when used in footwear. It also has found use in various applications where a durable, but bouncy (resilient) material is needed. It is
exceptionally durable for a wide variety of design applications.
Hypalon: Unique Design and Applications Grade
The R 7012 is a specialty foam formulated using Hypalon for its superior UV, weathering ability, and superior light fastness of color. Its low density and low compression deflection coupled with environmental resistance make it an excellent candidate for architectural seals for corrugated buildings and others where performance takes some precedence over cost.Medium cost, other applications are novelties etc. It is available in various colors.
Application and Value Comparisons:
There is an unfortunate effect that results in selecting products simply on the basis of specification callout.As an example the widely accepted specification ASTM D-1056 which has become the industry standard for specifying the various classes and grades of cellular materials actually serves as a classification guide and unless it is used with caution, can result in erroneous comparisons of real product performance qualities.
As an illustration demonstrates how based simply on grade callout,
products of vastly differing properties might be selected 1) which might result in poor performance and 2) which might result in over design and cost effectiveness.
Under grade callout to ASTMD-1056 Grade 2C1. The following are listed and comply:
If you were to physically examine and compare these materials you would quickly discover that even though they may be classified the same relative to basic properties, they vary greatly in other qualities so familiarity with material's added properties will be invaluable in recommending the best quality/performance for a specific application.
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