If you are new to the industrial sector, you'll want to invest in molded rubber components, like molded oil tool rubbers, since they have elastomeric properties. Elastomeric polymers are capable of flexing back to their original shape after being stretched.

Elastomeric components are vital for rubber-lined pipes used in oil, mining, and gas industries. Industrial equipment also needs flexible rubber components for seals/washers, chutes, belts, etc. If you need rubber components for your business, take a look at the different fabrication processes you can choose from.

Injection Molding

Injection molding is a process where polymers, like plastic or rubber, are preheated and injected into an open mold made of steel, ceramic, or aluminum. As a rubber cools, it conforms to the shape of the mold—or the end-product. There are many advantages of purchasing rubber components made by injection molding. Injection molding has a quick turn-around time, so if you need to buy in bulk, this is a good way to go. Injection molded elastomers often have great chemical and temperature resistance and durability. For instance silicone rubber injections fabrications are often fire retardant. However, injection molding can be a pricier process since it is a complicated system that requires a mixer, a pumping device, and an integrated CAM to aid precision.

Transfer Molding

Do you need fragile or detailed components? If so, this fabrication process is often the best way to go, as you will have uniformity among your pieces. During this process, a piston will force preheated rubber into a closed mold. Because the mold is closed tightly, the polymer becomes compressed and has greater durability and intricate details. Like injection molding, transfer molding has short turn-around times. Again, the major downside is the cost; since these molds are often intricate, they cost more to make. This process can also be extremely wasteful, as the transfer pots holding the rubber tend to overflow when they are compressed.

Compression Molding

Compression molding is an extremely popular process for rubber fabrications since it is the least-complex method. Instead of using Rube Goldberg machinery, the polymer is placed directly into the open mold and then compressed. Do you need larger rubber components? If so, then compression molding is a good way to go. Compression molding is also more environmentally friendly, since less polymer will be forced out of the mold and wasted. The main downside is that because this is the simplest molding process, the turn-around times for your parts are much longer.

If you need more information about which rubber components you will need for your business, contact an industrial professional in your area, such as at well seals.