As a leading polyurethane manufacturer, rubber is our favorite naturally occurring substance. From humble beginnings, rubber has evolved to the point that it is used for a wide variety of modern applications; tires, roads, seals for vehicles and windows, and even apparel and accessories. Today, we’ll take a look at the history of rubber and the various types that we work with at Sioux Rubber & Urethane.
What is Rubber?
Rubber originates from a South American tree called the Hevea Brasiliensis. For more than 15 centuries, rubber from this plant would be used to make small balls and shoes. French scientist Charles de la Condmine discovered a way to manufacture rubber in the 1700s. Following this discovery, rubber was used for a variety of applications, most notably in the 1830s when Charles Goodyear discovered a way to create a harder, more durable rubber for all-weather tires. Today, Sioux Rubber & Urethane utilizes all types of rubber to help provide our clients with impact, corrosion, and abrasion resistance within their favorite industries.
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is a relatively low-cost lining material that can be used for protection against both corrosion and abrasion. Highly resilient and available in 40-50 durometer, soft natural rubber exhibits superior abrasion resistant qualities compared to other lining materials. It is available in red or black, which is helpful for those concerned about color contamination. Typical applications include pump housings, fan systems, linings, and parts tumbling barrels. Natural rubber can handle constant exposure to temperatures up to 150℉ and intermittent exposure up to 180℉.
SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber)
Most of today’s rubber/polyurethane manufacturers use synthetic materials, and the most common type is SBA, or Styrene-Butadiene Rubber. SBR comes in a variety of durometers with around 60 shore “A” being used most often on drive rollers, pulleys, impact liners/pads, and skirt boarding. It has good impact and abrasion resistant characteristics. About half of all car tires are made from various blends of SBR.
Neoprene
In addition to chemical resistance and low permeability to gasses, Neoprene offers excellent resistance to oils. It has a reliable, constant temperature limit of 200℉, and is compatible with many chemicals for corrosion protection.
Chlorobutyl
This lining offers excellent resistance to a wider range of corrosive environments than other elastomers. It is also available in a high-temperature compound with 300℉-plus capabilities.
Endurawear
As a reliable and trustworthy urethane company, Endurawear is Sioux Rubber & Urethane’s proprietary rubber that is specifically engineered to enhance the performance of your machinery, increase equipment life, and keep maintenance costs down. Endurawear is designed to provide excellent impact and abrasion resistance for plates, pulleys, and liners. If you need molded polyurethane that is customized to specific dimensions, as expert polyurethane manufacturers, we can make you exactly what you need! If you’re ready to use Endurawear to change the way you do business, give us a call today!