They say that necessity is the mother of invention. And the origins of synthetic rubber-like materials are no different. According to Mark Michalovic from the Chemical Heritage Foundation, “War was usually the catalyst for sparking interest in synthetic rubber[.] Mechanized warfare requires lots of rubber hoses, belts, gaskets, tires[.] In World War I, British naval blockades, however, kept Germany from getting natural rubber from Southeast Asia.” During the second World War, on the other side of the world, the United States was disconcerted by the growing influence that Japan had over Southeast Asia. This concern birthed the U.S. Rubber Reserve Company (RRC). The RCC was worried about diminishing rubber supplies—a worry which led chemists to search for a synthetic compound whose characteristics mirrored or closely resembled those of natural rubber. What they ultimately produced were rubber-like materials that, in some ways, offered greater advantages than natural rubber did.
“Dura-Chef Interlock Commercial” Kitchen Mats
Importantly, commercial floor mats made of synthetic rubbers aren’t “discount” rubber mats. Modern commercial mats and rubber floors actually benefit from utilizing these synthetic, rubber-like materials largely because their production methods have greatly improved since the World War II era. Understanding how your commercial mats and rubber floors are made and what benefits their materials offer will help you choose the right rubber mat. Suppliers intake commercial mats and rubber floors made from natural and rubber-like materials. Unlike natural rubber, synthetic rubber has no one chemical or physical composition—instead, synthetic rubber is a categorical term, marking out non-natural, rubber-like materials. As of now, there are over twenty different varieties of synthetic rubber. But all synthetic rubbers are derived from two compounds: styrene and butadiene. Both are byproducts of petroleum. Synthetic rubbers are made using different monomers, or simple molecules. These monomers are combined in varying amounts to produce different types of synthetic rubbers—all of which have different physical and chemical properties. Some examples of different synthetic rubbers are SBR, Nitrile, EPDM, and Neoprene.
“Paw-Grip” Grease-Resistant Rubber Runner
“Paw-Grip” Grease-Resistant Rubber Runner
- Safe to put in the dishwasher for cleaning
- Rolls available in custom lengths up to 50ft
- Undersurface grips to the floor more securely
- Perfect as a shop mat, kitchen mat, locker room mat, animal care mat, and much more
The Benefit of Nitrile Rubber: Nitrile rubber became famous thanks to its grease-resisting qualities. Not only does it resist grease, it resists other general liquids and even chemicals. That strength makes this rubber flooring mat the preferred choice to have in place in kitchens, bars, pool areas, garages, and any other place that sees liquids. Nitrile rubber is also capable of resisting the degrading effects of light amounts of kerosene, potassium salts, jet fuels, and a host of other chemicals and oils.
Drainage Holes: You will notice the presence of holes all across this non-slip mat. These holes are there specifically for excess liquids. While the nitrile material resists the damaging effects of various liquids, the holes help get the moisture off the mat. This will enhance safety and make cleaning the mat an easier task.
When it comes to commercial mats and rubber flooring, there are two main synthetic compounds that are used in their production: styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (Nitrile). Each compound differs in its physical and chemical properties, making each of their ideal applications different. As we’ve noted, most synthetic commercial mats and rubber floors are made using SBR and Nitrile compounds, and SBR and Nitrile differ in their ideal applications. To better understand what each synthetic material has to offer, here is a breakdown the two main materials used to make synthetic-rubber floor mats:
What is SBR rubber used for?
SBR, shorthand for styrene-butadiene rubber, is a copolymer. A copolymer is a molecular structure that is made up of two different types of molecules which are joined in the same polymer chain—in this case, styrene and butadiene. Generally, SBR commercial mats and rubber floors will have moderate resistance to oil and ozone. As well as being moderately resistant to oil and ozone, SBR has great abrasion-resistance and holds up well versus water. But, because SBR-material rubber is only moderately resistant to oil and ozone, commercial mats and rubber floors made of SBR shouldn’t be used for applications that call for severe oil- or ozone-resistance. Notably, SBR is one of the more inexpensive rubber-like materials, so many applications utilize SBR-material rubber. Now, this doesn’t mean that rubberized mats made of SBR are necessarily cheap rubber mats. It just means that SBR has a slight, pragmatic advantage over other types of rubber.
Rubber made of SBR is often used for applications like car parts, shoe soles, and roll coverings. Because these applications don’t call for maximal oil- or ozone-resistance, SBR is a good fit based on its generally cheaper price and its material properties. Rubber made of SBR is applied in many residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
“Corrugated Wide Rib” Rubber Runner Mats
What is Nitrile used for?
A commonly used compound in residential and commercial kitchen mats, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, or Nitrile, offers strong resistances to petroleum products, to animal grease, and to oils. Like SBR, Nitrile is also a copolymer that joins acrylonitrile and butadiene. Nitrile offers great tear and abrasion resistance, which makes it a great flooring option for heavy-duty environments. Because nitrile is only moderately resistant to ozone and to harsh weather, commercial mats and rubber flooring made of Nitrile is best suited for indoor applications.
These properties make Nitrile commercial mats and rubber floors an excellent fit for places like kitchens, where many harsh oils are in play. This rubber-like material’s strong oil-resistance keeps these commercial mats and rubber floors undamaged by the cooking oils that fly here and there while the burners are ablaze. And because water is essential to good cooking, kitchens are rife with water splashes and spillages. Commercial mats and rubber floors made of Nitrile are often perforated. So when they’re inevitably soaked with water, they won’t become the dangerous slip-and-fall hazards that are the stuff of archetypal liability cases. Furthermore, Nitrile natural resistance to the damaging effects of abrasion ensures that kitchen workers’ boots won’t quickly wear these commercial mats and rubber floors. While offering many safety advantages, Nitrile commercial mats and rubber floors are also made to withstand a wide range of physically and chemically tough conditions. But, because Nitrile is only moderately resistant to ozone and to harsh weather, a commercial mat made of Nitrile is best applied in indoor environments. Kitchens are just one of many potential applications of Nitrile commercial mats and rubber floors.
Most rubber matting material that has been chemically treated and produced, such as synthetic rubber, is applicable to many residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Even with moderate resistances to oil and ozone, these materials rubber can be made from are, in some ways, better than natural rubber. These rubber-like materials are often cheaper than natural rubber; they have many—if not all—of the material properties of rubber; and they expand rubber’s general applicability to a wider set of conditions.
“Soft Cloud Drainage” Anti-Slip Mat
“Soft Cloud Drainage” Anti-Slip Mat
- Excellent for use in the food service industry
- Great comfort for feet so that workers can remain productive
- Increased drainage and traction properties are excellent for workplace safety
Provides Traction: You want yourself and others to stay on two feet. Slip and fall accidents are always unwanted and can be very costly. Avoid having to go through that pain and embarrassment with these mats. The surface of the mat gives the feet standing on it a good amount of traction. That grips feet onto the surface better and greatly reduces the chances of someone falling as a result of a slip or misplaced foot.
Holes for Drainage: You will notice that the surfaces of these anti-fatigue mats are dotted with holes. These have a specific purpose: to drain liquid. If an excess amount of liquid gets on the mat, it will drain through the many holes on the surface. This saves you the hassle of mopping up the mat. In addition, this drainage quality is also useful for cleaning this mat. Feel free to hose the mat down with as much water as you want because the holes will help dry the mat out.
Tough Against Grease: Commercial and industrial floors often suffer from a lot of grease falling on them. Kitchens and garages are among the worst offenders. Luckily, the nitrile material that makes up this rubber floor pad gained its fame by resisting the unwanted hazards of grease. With soft mats made of grease resistant rubber won’t have any chance of ruining your workplace.
