The Basics of Rubber Compounding, Mixing and Rheometer

Rubber compounding or mixing is a process of combining natural or synthetic rubbers, oils and resins to produce commercial products. The process involves the use of chemical reagents and equipment that are used to formulate rubber compounds as per standards and specifications.

This post will help you understand the basics of rubber compounding mixing and rheometer. These terms have different meanings in the rubber industry but all share a common end goal; making high-quality plastics from natural rubber.

Rubber compounding

Rubber compounding or rubber mixing is a process of combining natural or synthetic rubbers, oils and resins to produce commercial products. The process involves the use of chemical reagents and equipment that are used to formulate rubber compounds as per standards and specifications. The rubber compound is then mixed and compounded with rubber granules and/or polymer melts using a rubber compounding machine.

The rubber compound is then subjected to various physical and chemical processes to create the product. The rubber compound is produced by combining rubber, oil and/or resin with appropriate additives like vulcanizing agents, plasticizers, fillers, lubricants, etc. These additives react with the rubber compounds and produce various compounds.

Related Topic: Why Custom Engineered Seals Are Essential For Your Business

Mixing

Mixing is another key process in rubber compounding. Rubber compounding involves the mixing of rubber compounds and rubber compounds with specified additives like vulcanizing agents, plasticizers, fillers, lubricants, etc. These additives react with the rubber compounds and produce various compounds.

The rubber compounds are heated in rubber compounding machines to get melted and subsequently mixed with additives at specified speeds. The rubber compounds are not just heated but mixed and the additives produce compounds in the rubber compounds.

Rheometer

The rheometer is a device used in rubber compounding and mixing to help determine the viscosity of the rubber compounds. A rheometer works by measuring the resistance of a liquid to deformation. A rubber compound is a liquid when nothing is applied to it, in other words, when it is at rest. A rheometer is a machine that has two sets of test samples. One set is at room temperature and the other set is heated to just above the melting point.

The rheometer machine uses these two sets of samples to measure the viscosity at various temperatures. Rheometers come in different types and models. Some of them are handheld and portable while some are desktop versions. Rheometers can be used to measure the viscosity of many organic liquids such as glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.

How to Become a Rubber Compounding Professional?

The best way to become a rubber compounding professional is to learn the basic principles of rubber compounding. You can do this by reading rubber compounding and mixing books. You can also join rubber compounders’ organizations like Rubber Compounding Industry Association (RCIA). RCIA offers professional certifications and is affiliated with the International Society of Rubber Compounders (ISRC).

As you learn more about the process, you can create your own specialities. For example, you can specialize in custom rubber compounds with additives like antioxidants, plasticizers, antioxidants, oils, etc. Rubber compounds are used in making a variety of products. You can specialize in one type of product or you can mix and compound rubber compounds to create certain types of products.

3 Things You Need to Know About rubber Compounding and Mixing

The best rubber compounding machine for mixing rubber compounds could be the B Ross rubber compounding machine. It is a heavy-duty rubber compounding machine that can mix rubber compounds for various applications. – Rubber compounding is not just about rubber compounds. It requires the use of other additives and processing ingredients like lubricants, additives, etc.

These ingredients are also mixed in rubber compounding machines. – Natural rubber compounds are generally made from latex while synthetic rubber compounds are made from synthetic polymers. However, rubber compounds can also be made from other materials like polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride.

Rubber Compounding and Mixing FAQ

How do rubber compounds get made?

Natural rubber is extracted from rubber trees while synthetic rubber is made from petroleum.

A rubber compound is created by combining rubber, oil and/or resin with appropriate additives like vulcanizing agents, plasticizers, fillers, lubricants, etc.

What is the difference between rubber compounding and mixing?

Rubber compounding is the production of rubber and rubber compounds whereas mixing is the process through which rubber compounds and additives are combined. Both rubber compounding and mixing are part of the rubber compounding industry.

Where can you find rubber compounds?

Rubber compounds are mostly found in specialized rubber compounding machines. Some rubber compounds can also be found as powders but they are much less useful compared to machine-made compounds.

What is the basic property of rubber compounds?

Rubber compounds are made up of natural or synthetic rubber, additives like vulcanizing agents, plasticizers, fillers, lubricants, etc.

Summary

Rubber is a natural, elastic polymer based on the polymerization of rubber tree latex. Rubber compounds are made from natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

Natural rubber compounds are made from latex while synthetic rubber compounds are made from synthetic polymers. Rubber compounds are a broad class of thermoplastic products made from natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

They are used in the automotive, building, and industrial sectors. Rubber compounds are made from natural or synthetic rubber, additives like vulcanizing agents, plasticizers, fillers, lubricants, etc. Natural rubber compounds are made from latex while synthetic rubber compounds are made from synthetic polymers.

Rubber compounds are a broad class of thermoplastic products made from natural rubber and synthetic rubber. They are used in the automotive, building, and industrial sectors.

Wespo Seal manufactures high-quality inflatable seals, Molded Rubber Products, and bags for several heavy-duty industries. Our products are put to the test daily and over millions of duty cycles and that’s why reinforcing our seals with fabric is vitally important.