Elastomers / Rubber Process Development Services
Last Updated: February 12, 2025
Description
Elastomers, often referred to as rubbers, are amorphous polymers known for their ability to recover from large deformations quickly and forcibly. They are characterized by their flexibility, extensibility, resiliency, and durability. These materials are capable of being modified, such as through vulcanization, to enhance their properties, making them essentially insoluble but able to swell in boiling solvents. Elastomers are used in a wide variety of applications due to their unique physical properties, including abrasion resistance, resistance to aqueous and other polar fluids, weathering resistance, and high frictional coefficients for traction .
Working Principle
Elastomers work by utilizing their molecular structure, which allows for significant segmental motion above their glass transition temperatures. This structure enables them to stretch and return to their original shape, providing elasticity and flexibility. The process of vulcanization, which involves adding sulfur or other curatives, creates cross-links between polymer chains, enhancing the material's elasticity and strength. This makes elastomers particularly useful in applications where flexibility and durability are required .
Applications
Elastomers are used in a variety of specific applications across different industries. For example, natural rubber is valued for its vibration dampening properties, making it ideal for automotive applications. Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) is used in environments requiring oil resistance, such as in seals and gaskets. Fluoroelastomers are employed in applications demanding chemical and heat resistance, such as in fuel systems and high-temperature seals. Silicone elastomers are used in medical devices and applications requiring low-temperature flexibility .
Advantages over other Process Development Services
Elastomers offer several advantages over other process development services. Their physical versatility allows for custom molding in size, shape, flexibility, and color to meet specific customer specifications. They also have short production times due to their ability to be mixed, molded, and cured rapidly. Additionally, elastomers provide excellent adherence to various materials, such as metals and plastics, and offer environmental durability, maintaining stability at high temperatures and resisting harsh environments .
Limitations
Despite their advantages, elastomers have certain limitations. They generally have lower creep resistance compared to thermoplastic materials, which can be a drawback in applications requiring long-term dimensional stability. Additionally, some elastomers, like silicone, have high gas permeability, making them unsuitable for certain sealing applications where gas tightness is critical .
Considerations
When considering elastomers for process development, several factors should be taken into account. Initial costs can vary depending on the type of elastomer and the complexity of the compounding process. Operating expenses may include costs related to the vulcanization process and any necessary modifications to achieve desired properties. Durability is generally high, but specific environmental conditions, such as exposure to certain chemicals or extreme temperatures, can affect longevity. Maintenance costs may include periodic inspections and replacements, particularly in high-wear applications. Accuracy in achieving desired properties can depend on precise control of the compounding and curing processes .
from Cri-Tech, Inc.
Formulation Development, Custom Rubber and Plastic Compounding, Color development & Specialty Toll Manufacturing. Cri-Tech 5,200 m2 state of the art facility has over 3,600 MTs of internal and twin-screw mixing capacity. Cri-Tech ’s “clean ” mixing operation provides overall... [See More]
- Materials Processing Expertise: Elastomers / Rubber; Plastics
- Services: Process Optimization; Process Development; Analytical Testing / Inspection; Research and Development
- Company Information: Founded in 1977, Cri-Tech continues to be the leader in formulating and compounding high performance Fluoromaterials (elastomers, plastics and blends) through leveraging the complete range of specialty materials and additives (including nanotubes and graphene). Customer-focused, formulation development & problem-solving capability. Dedicated, responsive, fully staffed technical team.
- Product Forms: Bulk Solids / Granules; Fluoromaterials (elastomers, plastics and blends)
from ANALYZE Inc.
ANALYZE is one of the premier independent consulting laboratories and specialty chemical product manufacturers in the United States that supports clients operating throughout the global economy. The company, headquartered in Metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, has an international team of chemists with... [See More]
- Materials Processing Expertise: Adhesives / Sealants; Coatings / Paint; Elastomers / Rubber; Foods / Beverages; Plastics; Wafers / Semiconductor Materials
- Services: Process Optimization; Training / Consulting; Trial Facility Leasing; Process Development; Analytical Testing / Inspection; Research and Development; Deformulation; Reformulation
- Company Information: ANALYZE is one of the premier independent consulting laboratories and specialty chemical product manufacturers in the United States that supports clients operating throughout the global economy.
- Product Forms: Liquids; Powders; Bulk Solids / Granules
from Hexpol Compounding
Elastomer Solutions Suitable for Industrial Applications. Excel Polymers ’ Industrial compounding business provides a harmony of innovative products, systems and services to markets worldwide. Excel Polymers elastomeric solutions are the result of close cooperation with Original Equipment... [See More]
- Materials Processing Expertise: Carbon / Graphite; Elastomers / Rubber
- Services: Process Optimization; Technology & Licensing; Training / Consulting; Process Development; Analytical Testing / Inspection; Research and Development; Materials Sourcing; Recipes; Logistics
- Company Information: Excel Polymers is the leading global merchant supplier of elastomeric solutions that include rubber compounding, elastomer compounding, roll compounds, rubber chemicals, and services.
- Product Forms: Liquids; Powders; Bulk Solids / Granules; Webs / Continuous Stock; Slabs; Strips; Pelletized
from Custom Processing Services, Inc.
We are the original Custom Processing Services. Our name tells the story: we process a variety of materials to each individual customer's exacting specifications. Along the way, our technical engineers work hand-in-hand with clients to develop the most effective process to achieve the desired... [See More]
- Materials Processing Expertise: Abrasives; Carbon / Graphite; Ceramics; Coatings / Paint; Elastomers / Rubber; Foods / Beverages; Glass; Metals / Elements; Ferrous / Iron Based; Non-ferrous; Aluminum; Cobalt; Nickel / Nickel Alloy; PreciousNoble; Reactive / Refractory; Stainless; Tin; Minerals; Plastics
- Services: Process Optimization; Trial Facility Leasing; Process Development; Analytical Testing / Inspection; Research and Development; BET SSA Analysis; Microtrac Part. Size
- Company Information: Custom Processing Services is a contract manufacturer offering particle size reduction services for a wide range of industries. CPS processes a variety of materials including chemicals, minerals, metals, food grade products, and pharmaceutical excipients.
- Product Forms: Liquids; Powders; Nanomaterials; Bulk Solids / Granules
from Associated Polymer Labs, Inc.
Associated Polymer Labs, Inc. provides services that include new product development, competitor evaluation and de-formulation, materials identification, failure analysis, solving manufacturing problems, Quality Assurance Programs, small scale laboratory, pelletizing and extrusion, legal patent... [See More]
- Materials Processing Expertise: Adhesives / Sealants; Elastomers / Rubber; Plastics
- Services: Process Optimization; Technology & Licensing; Training / Consulting; Process Development; Analytical Testing / Inspection; Research and Development
- Company Information: Associated Polymer Labs, Inc. provides analytical and laboratory services. They provide polymer analysis and testing, new product development, material evaluation, failure analysis, quality assurance programs and solving manufacturing problems.
- Product Forms: Liquids; Powders; Nanomaterials; Bulk Solids / Granules; Webs / Continuous Stock; Gas / Liquid Gas
from Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
Cambridge Polymer Group can aid in many areas of process development, from initial R&D and formulation, through regulatory testing, product support and marketing and failure analysis. If your product is not meeting requirements, we can help you reformulate to match specific properties and determine... [See More]
- Materials Processing Expertise: Abrasives; Adhesives / Sealants; Coatings / Paint; Elastomers / Rubber; Foods / Beverages; Plastics; Pulp & Paper; Wafers / Semiconductor Materials; Textiles; Wood Products
- Services: Process Optimization; Technology & Licensing; Training / Consulting; Process Development; Analytical Testing / Inspection; Research and Development
- Company Information: Cambridge Polymer Group is ISO 9001:2008 certified & provides a cost-effective resource for testing, consulting and research and development to clients who need periodic access to analytical instruments, Ph.D.-level scientists and their support structure.
- Product Forms: Liquids; Powders; Nanomaterials; Bulk Solids / Granules