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What is neoprene rubber? What is a neoprene rubber strip? Many applications require neoprene rubber parts—neoprene, though, is just one of the many types of rubber that your project may demand. You may be in the middle of such a project yourself. If you have an outdoor application that involves a lot of elemental exposure, or if you have an indoor application involving the presence of certain oils—of the many elastomers, neoprene should likely be considered first. Whether you get a neoprene strip, neoprene flat washers, neoprene rubber rods, or neoprene cutting boards, the neoprene material exhibits a degree of weather-, flame-, and oil-resistance that most other types of rubber lack. It might occur to you: “where can I buy neoprene?” Knowing where to buy neoprene can seem daunting, so we will try to make this process easier for you. In bulk, neoprene can be much more cost-effective, as the cost of neoprene can sometimes be an issue to many consumers. In the last decades, the neoprene rubber price trend was heading upwards, and the neoprene price per kg. steadily increased. However, thanks to scientific developments, neoprene pad suppliers, neoprene foam sheet suppliers, and neoprene rubber gasket manufacturers have been able to make their neoprene rubber sheet prices lower, using different neoprene blends to combat the high costs associated with pure neoprene. One example is neoprene-EPDM-SBR foam rubber a combination of materials which is less expensive than neoprene alone. In any case, ask your rubber expert for a neoprene rubber sheet price list to evaluate all your options and make the optimal choice. And if you are worried about shipping costs, you should request a quote from your rubber provider. No need for a neoprene rubber weight calculator, as your neoprene sheet supplier should have that handled. In this article, we aim to give you an all-encompassing guide on handling a neoprene strip, answering the following questions to help guide your thinking:
• What is a neoprene strip used for?
• How strong is a neoprene strip?
• How do you cleanly cut a neoprene strip?
• How hard is a neoprene rubber strip?
Closed Cell Rubber – Blend
Cellular rubber is a type of rubber material that is formed when a foaming agent is introduced into rubber while it is being produced. The process results in an elastomer whose body features an air-filled matrix. The resulting rubber is ultimately more compressible than normal solid rubber counterparts. This particular closed cell sponge rubber is a blend of different elastomer types. The material of this closed cell blended rubber uses SBR rubber and closed cell neoprene in its makeup. The result is a sponge rubber product that is affordable and durable. It inherits the traits of its parent materials in moderate levels. It is a black colored cellular rubber that works as a good general-purpose elastomer material.
Moderate Weather Resistance: This closed cell sponge rubber benefits from the presence of Neoprene material since each sponge sheet is composed of Neoprene and SBR. A characteristic of Neoprene rubber is its good resistance to outdoor weathering effects such as UV rays and ozone. As a result, it is often employed wherever a rubber part is needed for the outdoors. This blended cellular rubber possesses a moderate degree of outdoor weather resistance.
A Durable Sponge Rubber: As a direct benefit from the SBR rubber used to make it, this closed cell sponge rubber possesses a good degree of physical durability. SBR is known for its superior physical strength and resistance to physical abrasions. It is the reason why SBR is so popular for use in vehicle tires, which are expected to endure harsh physical conditions on a daily basis. Although cellular rubber tends to be a softer material overall, especially when compared to its regular solid rubber counterparts, it is still durable enough to handle some moderate level physical abrasions.
What Is a Neoprene Strip Used For?
A neoprene strip is used for many applications, including neoprene gasket applications, a neoprene shock-absorber, neoprene sound-insulation, and a neoprene sponge rubber self-adhesive strip. Strips of neoprene sheeting rubber can work well for many different applications due to the high functionality and resistant qualities they possess. A neoprene strip is just one of the many forms in which chloroprene rubber manufacturers and chloroprene rubber suppliers wholesale neoprene.
How Strong Is a Neoprene Strip?
A neoprene strip is very strong. Foremostly, the neoprene compressive strength is very high, and the neoprene tensile strength is one of the best amongst rubber materials. These neoprene mechanical properties generate many uses of neoprene. Furthermore, a neoprene strip is water-, oil-, chemical-, and flame-resistant, qualities which make neoprene stand out as an elastomer. The neoprene rubber sheet properties truly put neoprene uses in a league of their own. How is neoprene so strong? What is neoprene made of? Neoprene is made of the chloroprene polymer, polychloroprene, which is synthesized using a complex production process wherein the material undergoes many steps to bolster the neoprene properties and uses—steps such as neoprene vulcanization. Anyhow, of the many neoprene rubber material properties, one of them is that neoprene is incredibly strong. The neoprene rubber mechanical properties are one reason for why it is such a popular elastomer in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. And if you are looking to buy neoprene rubber but are not aware of a product’s neoprene properties, specification sheets are made available by neoprene rubber manufacturers for your consultation. Furthermore, for those who find out that they do not need neoprene, plastic such as PVC is also a worthwhile option for applications such as reflooring.
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 80A
General Purpose Rubber – Black – 60A
When you need a good, standard solid rubber material for various applications, our general purpose rubber is the perfect product for the job. It is an affordable, durable rubber sheet for use in everyday applications. These reliable vulcanized rubber sheets come in the form of a standard black rubber roll so that they can be ready for use right away. Complete with a smooth surface texture, sheets of this General Purpose elastomer can come in a variety of different thickness gauges.
SBR Rubber: Our General Purpose Rubber sheets are made using styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). This synthetic elastomer is known for its durability. SBR’s physical qualities are present in this solid rubber sheet. With a durometer rating of 60, it can handle physical abrasions pretty well. This rubber sacrifices some elasticity and pliability, but it is meant more for physical applications that require a moderate degree of strength. In addition, its durability is enhanced by the fact that it is a vulcanized rubber sheets.
Meant for Not So Sensitive Applications: General Purpose Rubber is very adaptable. A sheet of this elastomer can be made into various seals and gaskets that can then be used for a large variety of different applications. This solid rubber material is well suited for use in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The material of this black rubber roll functions very well as bumper and pad material too thanks to their good durability.
How Do You Cleanly Cut a Neoprene Strip?
To cleanly cut a neoprene strip, simply use a sharp blade and a strong straight-edge. Align the straight-edge with the path you intend to cut, then firmly—in sweeping motions—slice the neoprene roll along the straight-edge. If the neoprene pad thickness is too great to cut in one motion, repeat this process until the neoprene strip is completely severed from its roll. To make this process easier, one tool you can use is a soapy solution. This helps reduce the friction between the blade and the rubber, making it easier for you to cleanly cut the neoprene strip.
How Hard Is a Neoprene Rubber Strip?
How hard a neoprene rubber strip is depends on the way that the product was made. It can be very hard, or it can be incredibly soft—qualities which are decided during the neoprene manufacturing process. You may wonder: what does neoprene feel like? Well, due to chloroprene rubber properties such as the neoprene elastic modulus (neoprene Young’s modulus) and neoprene tensile strength, neoprene feels soft but firm. This is also partly due to the neoprene compressive strength and is based on neoprene rubber hardness (which can be modified, essentially generating different neoprene rubber grades). Neoprene rubber sheet density plays a role in how hard or soft neoprene feels. Neoprene, dense and thick, will likely feel much harder than a thin sheet of foamed neoprene. A neoprene strip is also a very easy type of neoprene-built product to physically handle.
And if you are looking for something beyond a neoprene rubber strip, roll-rubber neoprene is also a viable option for many applications. Like we foreshadowed in the previous section, neoprene rolls are advantageous over a solid neoprene rubber strip in that they give you the flexibility to cut and shape the product to fit your needs. In other words, the benefit of having an actual roll of neoprene sheeting is that it can potentially give you plenty of material to work with. Elastomers—neoprene for example—are available in widths from 1-inch to 72-inches wide. It is very easy to get, say, a 3×3 neoprene mat or a 6 x 4 neoprene mat. After all, neoprene yardage is something that is easily alterable. Furthermore, if you need a certain neoprene thickness, do not worry! Neoprene is available in all levels of gauges: 1/8” neoprene, 1/16” neoprene, 3/4” neoprene, and 3/8” neoprene are just a few of the thicknesses in which you can purchase neoprene. And for those whose applications operate according to the metric system, there are plenty of options: a 1.5-mm neoprene sheet, 2mm neoprene sheet, 4mm neoprene sheet, and 6mm neoprene sheet are all great examples. If you’re a “do-it-yourself” kind of person, then check out the advantages that a neoprene product has to offer for your project:
Closed Cell Rubber – Neoprene
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 70A
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 50A
Neoprene rubber is a popular synthetic elastomer that features a resistance to some oils, chemicals, and weathering. This 50 durometer neoprene material is made of a blend of SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) and nitrile rubber in addition to the neoprene itself. This mid-level durometer means that the material is softer and more flexible than 60A or 70A Shore rubber sheets, giving the end-user more options in terms of applications for the material. First developed in the 1930’s, this elastomer is still popular today for use as industrial bumpers, seals, and general gasket applications. Neoprene sheet rubber is available in a variety of popular gauges to better suit the needs of individual projects.
A More Flexible Rubber: This black neoprene sheet has a durometer rating of 50, which is a medium grade level. This medium durometer level attributes a moderate amount of flexibility and durability. It is a moderately pliable and elastic rubber when compared to neoprene material of a higher durometer rating. This increased elasticity makes it more open to physical indentation. This flexible neoprene can easily be applied to any industrial applications that need pliable rubber components.
Neoprene Resistance Quality: Neoprene rubber is known to exhibit moderate levels of resistance against oils, chemicals, and environmental factors. These resistance qualities were what made neoprene material famous in the first place. Its durability in the presence of oils and chemicals means that it is good for industrial applications in the forms of seals and gaskets. As an added benefit, our neoprene sheet rubber can also be used in the outdoors because it features resistance capabilities against weathering factors such as ozone.
1. UV Resistance: Neoprene rubber is moderately resistant to UV rays, making it well-suited for outdoor applications. For example, neoprene rolls work perfectly when cut to custom lengths to fit inside of your pet’s backyard doghouse. In some roofing applications, a neoprene strip is highly desirable for its UV resistance.
2. Waterproof: Is neoprene waterproof? The use of a neoprene strip, also called weather stripping or sealing strips, is commonly used when climate and moisture conditions are of concern. The great thing about neoprene rubber is that it is naturally water-resistant. As a result, neoprene sheeting will not swell up or lose its form when wet. Take note, though, that this generally only applies to solid neoprene. Although some forms of foamed neoprene are waterproof, solid neoprene rubber is certainly the most reliable when it comes to waterproofing applications.
3. Chemical Resistance: A neoprene product is great for industrial applications, such as gaskets, hoses, and corrosion-resistant coatings, because it has a high resistance to hydrogen gas, natural gas, butanol (primary), acetic acids (up to 20%), ammonium salts, mineral oils, silicone oils, and many other chemicals. In fact, neoprene chemical-resistance is one of the main features that helped propel this elastomer into mainstream use.
4. Flexibility: This rubber offers good elasticity and flexibility, which makes it a practical option for any project that requires the material to navigate around tight edges, corners, or bends. A neoprene strip works well in many applications where stripping, sound absorption, or insulation is necessary because of the material’s ability to “fill in all the gaps,” morphing in response to its surroundings without needing too much—if any—modification.
5. Easy to Handle: Neoprene is a very easy elastomer to handle yourself, as it is generally lightweight and can be easily cut without the help of an expert. (The latter should be especially true since we give you a step-by-step guide on how to cut neoprene above.) Neoprene companies, such as neoprene gasket manufacturers, offer neoprene in soft, medium, and hard durometers, and these products come either pure or blended (soft is pure, and medium and hard are blended). Since this material is offered in so many varieties, it is only a matter of deciding which neoprene product best suites the needs of your project. And if you do not want to go through the process of cutting neoprene yourself, a neoprene strip can be order to your precise specifications.
Neoprene rolls and strips may be one of the easiest and most cost-effective decisions you make for your indoor or outdoor project. Whether you are trying to weatherproof your home or garage before the coming rainy season or you are building a sound studio, a neoprene strip or roll may give you exactly what you need to get the job done. By now, it should be plenty clear how much a neoprene strip can benefit you and your project.
