A synthetic rubber is any type of man-made elastomer that is mainly derived from petroleum. There is a wide variety of synthetic rubber products available, all created through different manufacturing processes to provide versatile alternatives to natural rubber.  Synthetic rubber products are used in many different applications worldwide, with the most common uses being in the industrial and automotive sectors. There are many different types of synthetic rubber that are available on the market. Each elastomer has its own unique traits that make them unique, and Rubber-Cal makes it a point to stock a variety of synthetic elastomers that have the largest market demand. Unlike organic rubber products, synthetic rubber material does not have a carbon-to-carbon backbone that can leave it susceptible to ozone, UV, heat and other ageing factors. Synthetic rubber also generally comes with good levels of chemical and temperature resistance, with specific degrees varying according to the type of elastomer.

SBR – Gray – 65A

SBR – Gray – 65A – 3/16″ x 36″

• General gasket uses
• Cost-effective applications
• Wherever general flapping is used
• Projects where non-marking is ideal or necessary
• Good for use in applications that see the presence of some chemicals, or moderately high temperatures

Non-marking Material: One benefit of gray sheet rubber is that it typically will not leave scuff marks on surfaces as opposed to other types of synthetic rubber. For this reason, Gray Sheet is a good material for workbenches and other items that can benefit from non-marking. Combined with the durable characteristic of SBR rubber, Gray Sheet is a more versatile product as opposed to some alternative synthetic elastomers. Use a gray sheet of rubber when you have an application that requires the production of a clean, mark-free item.

Resistance Qualities: In addition to being a physically durable product, Gray Sheet rubber also possesses good levels of resistance against ozone, chemicals, and elevated ambient temperatures. This quality gives this blended natural and SBR sheet rubber a degree of versatility that is hard to find in most other competing synthetic elastomers. It can perform comfortably in temperatures ranging from -10° F to 195° F. These features make gray sheet a dependable choice for more abrasive industrial applications.

History of Synthetic Rubber

The development of synthetic rubber coincided with the rapid advance of industrialization across the world. One of the earliest recorded developments of synthetic elastomers occurred in 1879, when the French chemist Gustave Bouchardat synthesized a form of rubber using isoprene. This process was later refined in 1909 by a German team of chemists with the German company Bayer. At this time, however, the development of synthetic rubber was considered something of a leisurely scientific curiosity. It was at the during World War II, that the development of synthetic rubber products skyrocketed. Germans were cut off from Natural Rubber supplies of South America and the Hitler ware machine required a large quantity of rubber parts.  The German Scientist develop Buna which is still in use today.  Today, there are many varieties of synthetic rubber products available on the market for a diverse range of applications. In addition to nitrile and neoprene elastomers, Rubber-Cal inventories various other synthetic elastomers such as SBR, EPDM, Santoprene, and silicone.

Paddings, Seals, O-Rings, and Gaskets

Can Synthetic Rubber Replace Natural Rubber?

Synthetic elastomers can replace natural rubber as well as provide better and more physical and chemical properties. The two World Wars drove home the need for synthetic rubber alternatives to natural rubber. The nature of war and society had become more mechanized and complex. It required materials such as rubbers that could last longer in the face of oils, chemicals, and high temperatures. Natural rubber has many excellent attributes, but such resistance is not one of its strengths. Developing synthetic rubber for wider use provided an opportunity to give the material specific desirable properties.

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Types of Synthetic Rubber

We offer a variety of types of synthetic rubber including: Neoprene, Nitrile, Silicone, EPDM, SBR, and thermoplastic materials like Santoprene. Each synthetic rubber offers a unique characteristic and has been developed by industry for specific types of use. For example, silicones, as well as other synthetic rubber products, excel in temperature extremes, being able to operate normally within a range of -100° C to +300° C. Synthetic rubber material offers superior properties such as elongation, tear strength, compression set, fire resistance and, in some cases, tensile strength that are superior to that of natural rubber products.

EPDM – Commercial Grade – 60A

EPDM – Commercial Grade – 60A – 1/2″ x 36″

• EPDM rubber with a smooth finish
• A black weather resistant rubber that is ideal as an outdoor liner or pad
• EPDM material is in stock in 1/16″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ thickness
• A blend of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM rubber) and SBR

Excellent Chemical and Weather Resistance: The special properties of EPDM sheet rubber allow it to withstand chemicals in addition to weather-related hazards such as UV rays and ozone. As a weather resistant rubber, this EPDM sheet rubber is commonly used in industrial applications and machinery that are exposed to the elements. Damage from rainstorms, pollution, and the sun will occur at a slower rate compared to a fully exposed EPDM rubber when compared to other elastomers like SBR, Nitrile or Neoprene.

Excellent Industrial Sheet Rubber: EPDM rubber has adequate elastic and pliable qualities. The material has a durometer of Shore 55-65A but on average, has a Shore 60A measurement. A Shore A scale measures the hardness of the rubber. For example, a soft pencil eraser has a durometer of Shore 20A. Although higher than an eraser, the durometer of EPDM still maintains a good amount of flexibility for all of your necessary projects. In addition, EPDM rubber has a minimum elongation of 300%.

EPDM

EPDM rubber is another popular synthetic rubber material. The material’s common trait is an enhanced degree of resistance against outdoor weather conditions. This synthetic rubber endures in the presence of moisture, ozone and UV rays, as well as a range of chemicals. EPDM rubber has a medium durometer offering excellent pliability and elasticity.

SBR – Red – 65A – 3/32″ x 36″

SBR – Red – 65A – 3/32″ x 36″

• Available for custom fabrication
• Works well in temperatures between -10° F and 195° F

Strong Rubber Material: With a high durometer rating of 60-70, this red sheet rubber material is well suited to performing in industrial applications that may be physically abrasive. It is meant to be used wherever a sturdy bumper or gasket is required. These hard rubber sheets are only moderately flexible, but they make up for this with their increased resistance to physical indentation. They are good at keeping their form, giving them a longer life for whatever application they may be used in. The styrene butadiene rubber used in this rubber sheet’s construction contributes to its superior durability.

Aesthetic Appeal: Sometimes the physical aesthetics of a product matter a lot. A particular job may call for a particular color from a component. This is why we offer this rubber roll material in red. It comes in a color variation that ranges from a darker red to a lighter red. It is simply meant to enhance the visual appeal of wherever it is used.

Waterproof Rubber Sheet: Our red sheet rubber is excellent for general gasket material that will come into contact with hot or cold water. This is partly thanks to the mix of natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber used to make these hard rubber sheets. Rubber by itself is a fairly water resistant material. It inhibits the growth of any organic byproducts that may form as the result of excess moisture. This blended material gives your project even greater resistance to the harms posed by water.

SBR

SBR stands for Styrene Butadiene Rubber. It is a tough synthetic rubber that is often put to use in vehicle tires because of its excellent abrasion resistance qualities. Tires need to be able to handle harsh conditions over their lifetime, including rough and abrasive road surfaces and extreme outdoor weathering, including constant UV exposure. Where natural rubber falters, a synthetic rubber such as SBR is designed to excel. The durable nature of SBR allows it to be used in synthetic rubber products which require a higher degree of toughness.

SBR – Red – 65A

Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 70A – 3/16″ x 36″

Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 70A – 3/16″ x 36″

• Industrial gasket applications
• Applications involving temperatures between -20° F and 170° F
• Applications that may involve the presence of moderate levels of oil or ozone or even chemicals

Tough Elastomer: The most common reason why people choose a hard neoprene is because of its physical thickness and durability. It is very reliable when used for physically demanding applications. Although its flexibility is limited, the overall thickness of this neoprene (durometer 65-75) means that it is highly desirable for guarding surfaces or parts against any physical abrasions and damages. Unlike softer neoprene, this material is well suited to handle physical abuse.

Customization: Rubber-Cal provides multiple customization options for this thick neoprene material. Although the width comes in 36” and 48” options, widths that are up to 78” are available upon request. In addition a wide range of popular gauges are available in stock for immediate delivery. If a different gauge is required for a project, gauges of up to 2” thick can be produced to specification. In terms of fabrication, hand cutting is not the only option for customizing your neoprene sheets. Water-jet, die, and laser cuts are available if needed. The goal is to get you the perfect hard neoprene material for your application.

Nitrile and Neoprene

Nitrile, is a synthetic rubber material refined by German chemists between the two World Wars. Nitrile was developed to provide a rubber with superior oil and grease resistance. Originally earmarked for war-time automotive use in vehicles like jeeps, tanks and planes, such types of synthetic rubber have become widely used in a range of applications today. An alternative synthetic rubber to nitrile is neoprene. Neoprene rubber was actually developed earlier than nitrile. It was synthesized by DuPont chemical company in 1930 and went commercial by 1939. At first it was not as mass-produced as nitrile rubber because of high manufacturing costs and an overpowering odor on the elastomer itself, but refinements over time eliminated these problems. This synthetic rubber material can come in hard and soft varieties and has a moderate degree of resistance to oil and ozone.

Nitrile – Commercial Grade Black – 60A

Where is Synthetic Rubber Used?

Synthetic rubber can be used in a wide variety of applications ranging from everyday life to industrial settings. Compared to natural rubber, synthetic materials are more durable and will have a much longer life. Due to its added strengths and resilience, synthetic rubber products can be used in more abrasive and harsh settings and conditions. It is resistant to chemicals, extreme high and low temperatures and the harsh conditions of changing weather patterns allowing them to used almost anywhere, both indoors and outdoors.