Sheet Rubber

Thermoplastic Polymers
These are polymers that are used on their own, that is, Polystyrene, Polyethylene, Polypropylene. They are relatively easy to reuse and recycling can be repeatedly done a number of times without unnecessary deterioration.

Thermoset Polymers
As their name states thermoset plastics are differentiated by the fact that when processing they are ‘cured’ and form a 3-dimensional network. Whilst thermoplastics can be described as long thin molecules laid out in a random manner but without any firm bond between the molecules. The curing process changes the thermoset plastics from a similar state to that of thermoplastics into a state where permanent bonds are formed at various points in the chain with some other molecules.

Rubbers in Rubber Sheets
These are taken as a particular class of Thermosets in various respects. Until they are vulcanized, the material is mostly thermoplastic in that it can be physically reshaped without losing most of its properties. Vulcanising is similarly described as a molecular cross-linking but the process of de-vulcanization is yet to be discovered. Because of the particular many unknown peculiarities of the rubber industry, most of the attention has been given to the recycling problem. Two forms of the product are Reclaim and marketed-Crumb. However, the issue of de-vulcanization remains unknown and unsolved.

Compounding Ingredients
Particular optimum characteristics of various polymers are only acquired by compounding both with mineral fillers and other polymers. A wide range of properties can thus be obtained by the incorporation of a number of various compounding ingredients. This is mostly true of rubbers, including thermoset plastics and of PVC which falls in the thermoplastics category.  

Flooring and roofing applications are the most popular uses of sheet rubbers in the industry. Rubber provides good resistance to Substances like oil and petroleum, ultra violet lights, and oxidizing elements. Furthermore, it has the capacity to maintain flexibility even in cold temperatures. It is elastic and that even makes it suitable for various kinds of shock absorbers and for specialized machinery mountings designed to reduce vibration.
Various types of sheet rubbers are used for numerous purposes for example industrial buildings, agricultural machines, and Original Equipment Manufacturer parts. They also have commercial and residential usage in storerooms, gyms, dance studios, garages, under shower pans, drainage systems, washer and dryer pans, weather stripping, and in many other construction and remodeling uses.
Sheet rubbers are used in every industry be it scientific or otherwise. Nevertheless, it is used in footwear, medicine, engineering, railways, automotive, defense, aeronautics, marine, and many others. For instance, they can be used as railroad tank cars and a lining for storage tanks, for making floor mats, gaskets, bearing pads, horse stall mats, sandblasting and orthopedic footwear, or other types of curtains capable of withstanding intense work conditions. Such sheets can even be laid under showerheads and outside washrooms to prevent slipping or tripping.
As sheet rubbers are becoming more and more widely used their demand now and in the near future will increasingly grow. Above all, the sheet rubbers are more cost-effective in comparison with their substitutes available in the market. The ability of rubber to combine itself easily with other products and its cost effectiveness makes it the most favored product in the industrial market.  

Thickness
The thickness of the sheet is very important depending on what it is required to be used for. For instance, it is very important for the sheet to be thick when choosing it for gaskets and oil seals.

Temperature
The rubber sheet will be exposed to specific temperatures; these temperatures matter the most. If the temperatures are too high for the rubber to handle, it will melt. On the opposite hand, if the temperatures are less than its minimum tolerance capacity, the rubber will begin cracking.

Resistance to Abrasion
Rubber's resistance to rubbing, scraping, or erosion should be considered.

Resistance to Ozone and UV
When exposed to ozone and UV, many types of rubbers break down which needs to be checked.

Resistance to Oil
Rubber is commonly affected by liquids such as oil, therefore when choosing a type of rubber sheet, consider their property to withstand oil.

Resistance to Acid
Not every rubber can resist acids. If one is going to use rubber in acidic environments, Vitron is one of the simplest options.

Hardness
The chemical structure of the elastomers provides for an inherent hardness that can be altered. The enhanced hardness is then measured in terms of durometer (Duro) on a Shore scale. Checking for the hardness of the rubber prior to selecting it should be done especially for sealing purposes. For instance, Shore A is used for rubbers that are soft to medium-hard. Solid rubber has a hardness of 40 duro, with a consistency of pencil erasers. By contrast, harder rubber, like that usually used in hockey pucks, contains 90 duro hardness.

Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is the amount of force required to tear apart a rubber specimen until it breaks. It is also referred to as ultimate tensile strength and is measured in megapascals or pounds per square inch (psi) in line with the specification ASTM D412. The tensile strength is an important factor for designers and buyers as it highlights the point of failure resulting from the maximum stretching of rubber.

Tensile Modulus
Tensile modulus is the stress or force needed to produce a strain or an elongation in a rubber sample. It may sound similar to tensile strength but the properties are very different. Hard rubber has a higher tensile modulus which results in it being more resilient. It is extrusion resistant.

Elongation
Is known as the percentage increase, or strain, in the rubber sample's original length with the application of stress, or a tensile force. Some elastomers tend to stretch more as compared to others. For instance, natural rubber can stretch up to 700% before it reaches its ultimate elongation, and then it breaks. Fluoroelastomers can however only withstand 300% elongation.

Compression Set
A compression set is an extent to which an elastomer refuses to return to its initial thickness after releasing a compressive load. Consecutive compression of a rubber seal over time results in stress relaxation progression. Compression set is the final result of a continuous decline in a sealing force.

Specific Gravity
Is the ratio of the weight of a material to the weight of the same volume of water at a specific temperature. This property makes it easy for chemists to identify the compounds. It is paramount for technical buyers and part designers to be aware that rubber that has a low specific gravity provides more square inches per pound of stock. By comparison, those with higher specific gravity have more merits when it comes to molding consistency.

Abrasion Resistance
Is the rubber's resistance to abrasion by rubbing or scraping. Abrasion-resistant rubber can be used in industrial applications such as in pumps that handle slurries and conveyor belts that move coal. 

Molding of Rubber Sheets
Molding is the process of forming a compound into a particular shape using a mold. This is a typically less expensive method for more sophisticated products. Since smaller footage can be supplied and the products can be made to order, this reduces the overall costs of otherwise expensive rubber goods. Nevertheless, it is not as popular as the method of extrusion

Extrusion of Rubber Sheets
Extrusion starts with an unvulcanized compound being put into an extruder. Once it is inside the extruder, it gets carried forward to a dye, which is a specialized manufacturing tool used to mold the rubber. When the compound reaches the dye, the pressure from the process forces it through the opening of the extruder. Then, the extruded product will need to be vulcanized before it can be deemed usable. It is crucial to remember that any rubber compound should have a “cure package” already blended in before vulcanization.

Latex Dipping of Rubber Sheets
Latex dipping occurs when thin walled molds are dipped into latex compounds and then slowly removed. The thickness of the dipped product can easily be increased by simply re-dipping the product within the latex compound. After the dipping process occurs, the end result is finished by vulcanization. Depending on the finished dipped product, post-treatments may also be required. A proprietary dipping method to achieve the optimal overall product may be done, to produce the required finished product.

Calendering of Rubber Sheets
The last most popular manufacturing process is called calendaring, which works by forcing softened material into the center of counter-rotating rollers. Rollers compact the material and therefore the overall thickness of the product is determined by the gap distance between cylinders, which may be adjusted for varying product thicknesses. When the material passes through cooling rollers, it will be vulcanized. Some of the merits of calendaring include controlling the thickness of the product and the ability to produce parts that are thinner and wider than with the process extrusion.

Rubber Sheet Joining
Rubber sheets can be joined as a cylinder to produce protective sleeves or cut to length or joined in a conical profile to make products for the marine industry, such as mast boots. Two methods are used: to glue or not. The first thing that can be said is that extremely good adhesives are available, and they offer strong bonds both to rubber-rubber and to some other materials. The question is, why would you consider vulcanizing a joint rather than simply gluing it? The answer lies in the environment together with the uses; adhesive joints will not actually withstand aggressive pressures and temperatures; they will break down when they come in contact with particular chemicals and are not always waterproof. Vulcanized joints can provide an improved aesthetic finish. 

Working with sheet rubber requires taking appropriate safety precautions to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries. Here are some important safety measures to follow:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing, when handling sheet rubber. This will help protect against potential hazards, such as chemical exposure or physical injuries.

Proper Handling and Storage
Follow proper handling and storage procedures to avoid unnecessary strain or accidents. Use appropriate lifting equipment when handling large or heavy sheets of rubber, and store them in a secure and organized manner. Rubber Sheets should always be kept in moisture-proof areas.

Training and Education
Provide adequate training and education to employees who deal with sheet rubber. Ensure they are aware of the potential hazards, safe handling techniques, and emergency procedures to follow in case of accidents. 

Established in 2002, Zhejiang Itong New Material Technology co.,ltd is China Hi-tech enterprise which produce plastic sheet with conductive and antistatic property for carrier tape and tray. To date, Yitong own the Chinese market share leader in electronic packaging material and has an wholly-owned subsidaiaries Zhejiang Imin new material technology Co,Ltd. The diversified produce inculding PS, ABS, PC, PP, TPV and etc. offering customers innovative solutions and ideas, we trust yitong is the name you can count on to handle your electronic packaging, automobile parts packaging and cosmetic packaging. 

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