Rubberbased

Rubberbased refers to materials or products whose primary polymer matrix is rubber, whether natural or synthetic. In industry, rubberbased materials are used when elasticity, damping, and barrier properties are required. The term can describe a range of items from adhesives and coatings to seals, hoses, and tires that rely on a rubbery continuous phase.

Most rubberbased formulations are made by compounding a rubber polymer with additives such as fillers (for strength and wear resistance), plasticizers, process oils, antioxidants, antidegradants, and curing agents. Vulcanization or other crosslinking methods are used to link polymer chains, transforming a soft compound into an elastic, temperature-stable material. Processing techniques include extrusion, calendering, injection molding, and compression molding.

Common rubber types used in rubberbased products include natural rubber (NR) and synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene (BR), nitrile rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), neoprene, silicone, and fluororubbers. The choice depends on desired properties like resilience, chemical resistance, heat stability, and flexibility at low temperatures.

Properties of rubberbased materials typically include high elasticity, good damping, impermeability to gases, and the ability to absorb energy. Limitations may involve sensitivity to heat, ozone, UV exposure, and aging, with chemical resistance varying by rubber type. Applications span tires, seals, gaskets, hoses, vibration-damping components, adhesive tapes, protective coatings, and certain medical elastomer parts.

Environmental and lifecycle considerations address recycling and disposal challenges, as devulcanization or energy recovery methods are explored to mitigate waste. Standards and regulations governing manufacturing, safety, and material labeling also apply to rubberbased products.