When it comes down to it, both recycled rubber sheet and synthetic rubber sheeting are made possible though innovations in science and technology, but they are fundamentally different substances. The former is mostly produced through mechanical processes and a few chemical processes, simply taking the rubber from tires so that it can be freed of metals, turned into crumb, and molded into sheets. While synthetic rubbers are generally vulcanized products.

Raw Materials: As for petroleum based sheets and rolls, for simplicity’s sake, there is really only one kind of rubber that is produced from these methods. But the recycled rubber strip is created almost from a discarded yield of a number of different kinds of rubber products. Why? When rubber is recycled, the raw material is no longer consistent. If the source was discarded tires, then each tire would have had its own ingredients and recycled rubber manufacturers cannot vouch for the consistency of their product. When rubbers that are created from virgin materials into EPDM, neoprene, nitrile, or silicone, the production process is completely controlled and the end-result can be certified. Each kind has its own set of unique properties, and in turn, its own unique set of applications. Moreover each rubber can be made with a variety of durometers, tensile strengths, and blends.

General Purpose Rubber: Recycled rubber is for the most part created by using discarded tires that can be found in landfills across the country. These tires are crushed, the rubber is isolated, and it is turned into crumb which itself can be used for a number of applications or more likely turned into recycled rubber sheets that can be used to create flooring, matting, surfacing, and many other specialized products. While recycled rubber is in its own right reliable, durable, and cost-effective, one of the issues with it is that it’s difficult to determine its properties, for its origins cannot always be determined. That is why it is a general-purpose rubber and nothing more. Recycled rubber manufacturers are not here to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes! The product is affordable, usually US made, and can take abuse. And so, while recycled rubber functions great as a sort of all-purpose one-size-fits-all material, if you have more complicated needs, they must be addressed by more complex products.

EPDM Rubber: Also known as ethylene propylene diene (M-class) rubber has high ethylene content, ranging from 45% to 75%, and is used commonly in vehicles as seals for windows and doors. It is resistant to polar substances and steam, and is a great electrical insulator. It is resistant to heat, the ozone, and extreme weather conditions. EPDM in its pure form is compatible with fireproof hydraulic fluids, ketones, hot and cold water, and alkalis, and is incompatible with oils, gasoline, kerosene, and hydrocarbons. Its properties make it best used for seals, hoses, tubing, and belts.

Neoprene Rubber: Neoprene has a strong resistance to degradation overtime, and it therefore works well in applications which require high performance over longer durations of time. It can provide insulation against the cold, and resists burning very well. It is commonly used in adhesives, noise isolation, and padding for items which are cased in metal. It is also used to create masks and other sorts of face protection.

Nitrile Rubber: Nitrile (NBR) is used for automotive and aeronautical applications. It can function at full capacity in extreme temperatures ranging from -40C to 108C. It is used to create molded products such as footwear, sponges, sealants, and synthetic rubber sheeting. Its high levels of resilience make it an ideal material for non-latex gloves which can be used in lab and medical work. It is also resistant to aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are flammable.

Silicone Rubber: Silicone is a non-reactive substance which is resistant to extreme environments and temperatures ranging from -55C to over 300C. It is relatively easy to manufacture and shape, making it accessible for use in a number of applications including automotive, cooking, food storage, apparel, electronics, and medical devices.

Ultimately, while recycled rubber sheets are undoubtedly a reliable and cost-effective product, as well as more beneficial to the environment. Synthetic rubber products are likely to be able to function in better in extreme temperatures, have higher tensile strength, and are more tear resistant. But when you are looking for a pad or durable outdoor protective layer, look at recycled rubber strips and rolls that can do the job for perhaps half the price. They can undergo more stress and more elastic deformation. The trade-off is that synthetic rubbers can potentially be harmful to the environment, and are more costly to produce, meaning that products will also be more expensive than their recycled rubber counterparts. That being said, synthetic rubbers clearly have their many uses, giving good reason as to why two-thirds of annually-produced rubber is all synthetic.

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