Materials Used at Harwood Rubber Products
Explore some of the materials we work with everyday at Harwood Rubber Products in our latest video!
Dive into our wide range of rubbers that are just a piece of the custom solutions that can be designed for your specific needs! Watch now to see how our extensive knowledge of materials can make a difference in your operations.
Learn more about our materials here or watch this video on YouTube!
Full Video Transcript:
“At Harwood Rubber Products, we specialize in crafting industrial rubber rollers and custom rubber parts for many industries. Today, we’re featuring four of the many valuable materials we work with: Nitrile Rubber, Isoprene Rubber, Silicone, and Hypalon. Each plays a vital role due to their unique properties & characteristics.
Nitrile Rubber is known for its exceptional resistance to oils, fuels and other messy fluids. It offers durability, high tensile strength and abrasion resistance useful in extreme cases such as automotive and aerospace applications.
Isoprene Rubber, also known as Natural Rubber, features outstanding elasticity and low heat buildup. Outside of rubber rollers, it often finds itself to be useful for textile and paper industries, providing excellent grip and impact absorption perfect for high-demand applications.
Silicone rubber stands out for its electrical insulation properties and extreme temperature resistance, ranging from -150°F to 480°F. It is chemically stable and weather resistant, able to withstand extended exposure to oxygen, wind, rain, UV, and ozone. Its non-toxic nature makes it suitable for medical and food processing applications. FDA-approved grades of Silicone ensure safety and efficiency in critical environments.
Hypalon, or Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene, offers excellent resistance to ozone, weathering, high temperatures and chemicals. Commonly used in roofing systems, automotive industries and chemical-resistant liners, it offers superior longevity and performance under stress.
But our expertise doesn’t stop there. Harwood Rubber Products also works with a variety of other materials to meet your specific needs
For unique applications, we provide a variety of durometers and can develop custom compounds that meet MSHA and FDA requirements.
At Harwood Rubber Products, we’re committed to delivering the perfect rubber solution for your production process. Let us help you choose the right material for your application, ensuring durability, reliability, and optimal performance.
Contact us today!“
Superior Strength and Resilience – The Benefits of XNBR and HNBR
Nitrile elastomers, known for their robustness and versatility, have long been a staple in various industrial applications. Among them, specialty nitrile elastomers like Carboxylated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (XNBR) and Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) offer unique properties that set them apart. These advanced materials provide enhanced performance in demanding environments, making them a popular choice in many different applications.
Carboxylated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (XNBR)
XNBR is a modified version of nitrile rubber, incorporating carboxyl groups into its polymer structure, giving XNBR several key advantages:
Improved Abrasion Resistance
The addition of carboxyl groups significantly enhances the abrasion resistance of XNBR. This makes it ideal for applications where materials are subjected to continuous friction or wear, such as in seals, gaskets, and conveyor belts.
Enhanced Mechanical Strength
XNBR exhibits superior tensile strength and tear resistance compared to standard nitrile rubber. This strength is crucial for components that must withstand high pressure and mechanical stress without deforming or failing.
Chemical Resistance
Like its nitrile counterparts, XNBR offers excellent resistance to oils, fuels, and various chemicals. This resistance ensures durability and longevity in harsh chemical environments, such as those found in the automotive and oil and gas industries.
Flexibility in Low Temperatures
Despite its toughness, XNBR maintains flexibility at low temperatures. This property is essential for applications in cold climates or where materials must perform reliably across a broad temperature range.
Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR)
HNBR is another specialty nitrile elastomer, created by hydrogenating standard nitrile rubber. This process saturates the polymer, resulting in enhanced properties:
Outstanding Heat Resistance
One of the most significant benefits of HNBR is its ability to withstand high temperatures, up to approximately 329°F. This makes HNBR suitable for applications involving high-temperature environments, such as automotive engine components, where other materials might fail.
Superior Chemical and Oil Resistance
HNBR demonstrates excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals, oils, and fuels. This property ensures its suitability for use in automotive fuel systems, oil exploration equipment, and industrial machinery where exposure to harsh chemicals is common.
Enhanced Ozone and Weather Resistance
The hydrogenation process improves HNBR’s resistance to ozone and weathering, extending the material’s lifespan in outdoor applications. This resilience makes it an excellent choice for seals, hoses, and other components exposed to environmental elements.
Mechanical Strength and Flexibility
HNBR combines high mechanical strength with flexibility, providing reliable performance in dynamic applications. It maintains its properties under cyclic loading and stress, making it ideal for use in seals, gaskets, and vibration dampening components.
Applications and Industries
The unique properties of XNBR and HNBR have led to their widespread adoption in various industries:
- Automotive: Used in seals, gaskets, and fuel system components due to their oil and heat resistance.
- Oil and Gas: Essential for drilling equipment, hoses, and seals, where chemical resistance is crucial.
- Industrial Machinery: Used in hydraulic systems, pumps, and conveyor belts for their durability and abrasion resistance.
- Aerospace: Used in seals and gaskets for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and chemical exposure.
- Medical: XNBR is used in medical gloves and other equipment requiring puncture resistance and flexibility.
Conclusion
Specialty nitrile elastomers like XNBR and HNBR offer a range of benefits that make them a great choice in many high-performance applications. Their enhanced mechanical strength, chemical resistance, flexibility, and durability ensure reliable performance in the most demanding environments.
Our team at Harwood Rubber Products is highly skilled in working with specialty elastomers like HNBR and XNBR and can recommend these materials for your unique applications when it’s the right fit. To learn more about the high-quality industrial rubber rollers and custom rubber products our team manufactures, reach out to our team today!
Understanding the Benefits of Ethylene Propylene in Industrial Rubber Rollers
Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR), or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), can be a great choice for industrial rubber rollers, offering many benefits that make it an ideal material for various applications. It was developed in the early 1960s and when given proper care and maintenance can last for decades.
Superior Resistance to Weather and Ozone
Ethylene propylene rubber maintains exceptional resistance to weathering, water, and ozone. Unlike many other rubber materials that degrade when exposed to UV rays, ozone, and other weather conditions, EPDM remains robust. This resistance ensures that rubber rollers made from ethylene propylene keep their integrity and performance – even in outdoor or harsh environments – leading to longer service life and reduced maintenance costs.
Excellent Heat and Chemical Resistance
Industries that involve high-temperature processes or exposure to chemicals benefit greatly from ethylene propylene rubber. EPDM can withstand temperatures ranging from -60°F to 350°F, making it suitable for applications that involve extreme heat. Additionally, its chemical resistance makes it an excellent choice for environments where rollers may come into contact with oils (except for mineral oils or petroleum oils), acids, or other corrosive substances. This resilience minimizes the risk of degradation and prolongs the rollers’ operational lifespan.
Versatility in Applications
The versatility of ethylene propylene rubber makes it suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. EPDM rubber rollers are used in various industries, including automotive, printing, textiles, and packaging. Their ability to maintain performance across different applications is due to their flexibility and compatibility with various substrates and processes. Whether it’s used in conveyor systems, printing presses, or textile machinery, EPDM rubber rollers deliver reliable performance.
Cost-Effectiveness
While the initial cost of ethylene propylene rubber may be higher than some other materials, its long-term cost-effectiveness is undeniable. The longevity, reduced maintenance, and fewer replacements required for EPDM rubber rollers result in significant cost savings over time. Additionally, the material’s resistance to harsh conditions reduces the frequency of downtime for repairs, further enhancing productivity and reducing operational expenses.
Environmental Benefits
Ethylene propylene rubber is a more environmentally friendly option compared to some synthetic rubbers. EPDM can be recycled, reducing its environmental footprint. Its long lifespan also means fewer replacements and less waste, contributing to more sustainable industrial practices.
Conclusion
Ethylene propylene rubber has proven to be a great material for industrial rubber rollers, offering a combination of weather and chemical resistance, durability, versatility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits. As industries continue to seek materials that enhance performance while minimizing costs and environmental impact, EPDM stands out as a reliable and efficient choice.
Our team at Harwood Rubber Products can help service all your rubber roller needs and can recommend EPDM for your unique application if it’s the best fit. Reach out to our team today to learn more about whether EPDM makes sense for your needs and how Harwood Rubber Products can help!
Key Benefits of Silicone as a Material for Industrial Rubber Rollers
Choosing the right material for your equipment can significantly impact efficiency, durability, and overall performance. Among the various materials available, silicone has emerged as a popular choice for industrial rubber rollers. Known for its unique properties, silicone offers a number of advantages that make it an ideal material for a wide range of applications.
Exceptional Temperature Resistance
One of the standout features of silicone is its exceptional temperature resistance. Silicone rubber rollers can withstand extreme temperatures, ranging from -150°F to 480°F. This makes them suitable for applications in environments where temperature fluctuations are common, whether in high-heat settings like printing and laminating or cold conditions like food processing and refrigeration.
High Durability and Longevity
Durability is a key consideration in industrial applications where equipment is subjected to continuous use and wear. Silicone rubber rollers are highly durable, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing your downtime.
Non-Stick Properties
Silicone’s inherent non-stick properties are another significant advantage. These properties prevent materials from adhering to the roller surface, reducing the risk of product contamination and ensuring smooth, uninterrupted operation. In industries such as packaging and printing, where clean and precise material handling is essential, silicone rollers help maintain the quality and consistency of the finished products.
Flexibility and Versatility
Silicone is a versatile material that can be easily molded and customized to meet specific requirements. This flexibility allows manufacturers to produce silicone rollers in various shapes, sizes, and hardness levels, catering to a wide range of industrial applications. Whether for lightweight or heavy-duty tasks, silicone rollers can be tailored to deliver optimal performance, enhancing the overall efficiency of the production process.
Hygienic and Safe for Sensitive Applications
In industries where hygiene and safety are paramount, such as food processing and the medical field, silicone rubber rollers offer significant benefits. Silicone is inherently non-toxic, odorless, and resistant to microbial growth, making it an ideal material for applications that require strict adherence to hygiene standards. Since 1979, it has been used for many FDA applications. Additionally, silicone rollers are easy to clean and sterilize, further ensuring the safety and integrity of sensitive products.
Energy Efficiency
Silicone’s low thermal conductivity contributes to energy efficiency in industrial operations. Silicone rollers do not absorb or retain heat as much as other materials, reducing the energy required to maintain optimal operating temperatures. This energy efficiency not only lowers operational costs but also supports sustainability initiatives by reducing the overall energy consumption of manufacturing processes.
Conclusion
Silicone rubber rollers provide many benefits that enhance the performance, durability, and efficiency of industrial equipment. From exceptional temperature resistance to high durability, non-stick and non-toxic properties, and versatility, silicone proves to be a suitable material for a wide range of applications.
If it sounds like silicone might be a good choice for your application, let us know! Our team is skilled in working with silicone to produce top-notch rubber rollers that will keep your production line running smoothly, minimizing costly delays and frustrating downtime. Contact our team today to learn more about what we offer.