Since World War II, rubber has found its way into an innumerable amount of industries, for an even greater amount of applications. While rubber was originally desired primarily as a substance from which to make tires, it was quickly seen that there were more uses for it than on automobiles. With physical properties such as elasticity, resistance to abrasion and high tensile strength, as well as the ability to perform under harsh conditions, rubber has become a desired commodity in a number of different fields. Whether it is to create large sheets of rubber or small rubber parts, the potential uses of elastomer/rubber products are nearly endless, given the amount of technology and research that is being invested into the field. One would be surprised at the places in which they could find some form of quality rubber products—black rubber is even making its way into the fuel and energy industry! Who would have thought that a material which was originally used as a ball for an ancient Mesoamerican ball game would have evolved into a product with dozens upon dozens of uses, most of which are an integral part of our daily lives! While the following list is nowhere near what it could be, it will still be a helpful first-look into all the uses of rubber that are quickly coming into the fold of industries.
Open Cell Rubber – EPDM
1. Tires, obviously! Over 20 million tires are produced every year. This accounts for 56% of all rubber production. This is perhaps the oldest and most important use for black rubber. This is where good old black “rubber meets the road!”
2. Inner tubes
3. Elastic in tight-fitting garments such as wetsuits, swimsuits, and cycling shorts. Elastic is rubber in its fiber form
4. Hoses
5. Belts
6. Adhesives
7. Rubber bands
Open Cell Rubber – EPDM
- Operating temperature range from -40° F to 160° F
- Easy to roll up for transportation and storage purposes
- Pressure sensitive adhesive backing can be applied upon request
- The cellular texture of the open cell rubber is visible on the surface
Excellent Compressibility: This EPDM rubber foam is among the most compressible products currently available. The cellular composition of this open cell rubber material is the secret behind its ability to compress. The cell structure is composed of tiny air pockets that have gaps in between them. When force is applied to the surface of the EPDM sponge, these air pockets will close in on themselves. The source of the pressure will also not face any resistance due to the soft nature of open cell sponge. The EPDM foam sheet will maintain its compressed form as long as the object applying the pressure remains.
Fast Recovery: The open cell EPDM has the ability to revert back to its original shape after compression. When the source of pressure is removed from the open cell rubber sheet’s surface, the air pockets within its cellular composition will revert back to their original shape. This helps the EPDM rubber foam maintain a working lifespan suitable to long-term use in applications that require constant compression.
Closed Cell Rubber – EPDM – 39″ x 78″
8. Hydro-blasting to remove coating (such as paints and other forms of elastomers)
9. Repairs in the form of epoxy
10. Spray-able protective coatings
11. Spray nozzles
12. Flotation equipment
13. Rubber flooring, perhaps the first among quality rubber products for use in gyms, kitchens, and basements.
14. Rubber mats and matting to protect any floor or walkway, as well as the person who treads those paths
15. Gaskets and seals, some of the most useful of all small rubber parts
16. Flexible hose and ducting products
“Corrugated Wide Rib” Rubber Runner Mats
- Custom lengths available of up to 50ft
- Can be used as equipment floor mats
- Can be used as either commercial or industrial floors
- The textured underside of these horse trailer mats grips base surfacing
- Perfect for use in temporary installations through the use of double-sided tape
Ribs Improve Traction: The presence of the wide corrugated ribs on these industrial floors helps keep you and your guests safe and secure by providing your feet with a better level of traction. Rubber comes with a high co-efficient of friction to begin with. When the natural rubber material is made to feature these wide ribs, the amount of grip their provide for your feet improves considerably. Buy these runner mats today to keep your area slip-free!
Best Surface Protection: Whether you need equipment floor mats for heavy objects or easy to install horse trailer mats, these rubber floor mats will help keep the base surfaces of your area safe from damage. The press of heavy equipment and even constant foot traffic can easily damage some surfaces. Wood is a prime example of this. Repairing these damages can be very costly. Eliminate the risk of unwanted expenses by putting this indoor and outdoor rubber mat in place.
17. Anti-vibrations pads and mounts in vehicles; also works well as sound-proofing material
18. Safety airbags in cars to protect you and your loved ones from those unfortunate automobile accidents
19. Rubber gloves! Stay sanitary and safe in the lab or hospital, or even when cleaning!
20. Belt skirts, belt scrapers, filter scrapers
21. Lining and patching for bins, launder chutes, ducts, and mixer lining
22. Cement and asphalt; rubber is now being incorporated into these mixtures to create sidewalks and streets that are better to walk on!
23. Railroad cross-ties to help with the transportation of freight that still takes place on our railroads
24. Cross-over pads for vehicles to protect electrical wires during construction projects
25. Rollers for transport (for items such as paper)
There are uses of elastomer/rubber in a number of industries. You can find quality rubber products in agriculture, construction, mineral processing, paper processing, and in transportation, to name a few. Both large and small rubber parts are being seen in the military and aerospace industries, in the production of petroleum-based fuels, in producing energy, in chemical research and experimentation, as well as in other commercial and industrial locations. The list of potential uses for black rubber will only be expanding in the coming years, given the amount of research that is being devoted to it and the technologies that are now being produced from it. This research and development is an investment into our futures and the future of our planet, so do not be surprised when you find more and more of the items you use everyday to be made from rubber!
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