Introductions Of Rifertech Rubber Sheet Plate Materials

Rubber sheet is a flat product with a certain thickness and a relatively large area, made of rubber as the main material (which may contain reinforcing materials such as fabric, metal sheets, etc.) after vulcanization. Here’s a detailed introduction to rubber sheets:

I. Classification

Rubber sheets can be classified according to different criteria, such as purpose, composition, hardness, surface treatment, etc.

1. Classification by Purpose

   • Insulating Rubber Sheet: Mainly used for electrical insulation in electronics and electrical equipment, featuring high insulation performance and excellent electrical properties, effectively preventing leakage and short circuits. Additionally, insulating rubber sheets have high temperature resistance, aging resistance, and oil resistance, suitable for harsh working environments.

   • Sealing Rubber Sheet: Primarily used for various sealing applications, such as garages, warehouses, and ship holds. With good rebound resilience, insulation, waterproofness, and plasticity, they can effectively prevent leaks and dust ingress.

   • Cushioning Rubber Sheet: Mainly used to reduce impact and vibration, such as in automobiles, trains, airplanes, and other transportation vehicles. Made of highly elastic materials, they can effectively absorb impact energy.

   • Anti-slip Rubber Sheet: Mainly used for ground anti-slip purposes, featuring high friction coefficients and good abrasion resistance, effectively preventing slips and falls.

2. Classification by Composition

   • Natural Rubber Sheet: Made of natural rubber as the main raw material, featuring good elasticity and insulation properties, suitable for various sealing and cushioning applications.

   • Synthetic Rubber Sheet: Made of synthetic rubber materials, featuring better temperature resistance, oil resistance, and aging resistance, suitable for more demanding working environments.

3. Classification by Hardness

   • Hard Rubber Sheet: Higher hardness, with good insulation and sealing properties, suitable for various sealing and insulating applications.

   • Soft Rubber Sheet: Lower hardness, with better cushioning and anti-slip properties, suitable for various shock absorption and anti-slip applications.

4. Classification by Surface Treatment

   • Ordinary Rubber Sheet: Surface not treated, suitable for general applications.

   • Anti-slip Rubber Sheet: Surface treated for anti-slip properties, increasing friction coefficients, suitable for applications requiring anti-slip features.

   • Oil-resistant Rubber Sheet: Surface treated for oil resistance, increasing resistance to oily substances, suitable for applications with oil contamination.

   • Acid and Alkali-resistant Rubber Sheet: Surface treated for acid and alkali resistance, increasing resistance to acidic and alkaline substances, suitable for applications with acidic or alkaline conditions.

5. Classification by Thickness

   • Thin Rubber Sheet: Thickness below 1mm, suitable for applications requiring thin materials.

   • Medium-thickness Rubber Sheet: Thickness between 1mm and 5mm, suitable for general applications.

   • Thick Rubber Sheet: Thickness above 5mm, suitable for applications requiring thicker materials, such as tire manufacturing.

II. Performance Characteristics

1. Physical and Mechanical Properties: Rubber sheets have high hardness but generally moderate physical and mechanical properties, suitable for use in air at pressures not exceeding 20°~+140°C.
2. Elasticity: Rubber sheets have good elasticity, can adapt to various deformations, and serve as cushioning and shock absorption materials.
3. Sealability: Rubber sheets have excellent sealing properties, effectively preventing leaks and dust ingress.
4. Corrosion Resistance: Rubber sheets have good resistance to various corrosive media, suitable for use in the chemical, food manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries.
5. Insulation: Rubber sheets have good electrical insulation properties and can be used as insulating materials for electrical equipment in the power, electronics, and communications industries.

III. Application Fields

Due to their unique performance characteristics, rubber sheets have a wide range of application fields, including but not limited to the following:

1. Industrial Field: Used to manufacture various seals, cushions, shock absorbers, etc.
2. Construction Field: Used for sound insulation, shock absorption, anti-slip applications, such as floors, walls, ceilings, soundproof doors, and soundproof windows.
3. Transportation Field: Used for road sound barriers, sound insulation facilities on elevated roads, etc.
4. Power and Electronics Field: Used as insulating materials for electrical equipment in the power, electronics, and communications industries.
5. Daily Life: Used to manufacture toys, floor mats, and other daily necessities.

IV. Production Process

The production process of rubber sheets mainly includes basic processes such as plasticizing, mixing, calendaring or extruding, molding, and vulcanizing. Each process has different requirements for the product and is accompanied by several auxiliary operations. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Plasticizing: To improve the plasticity of rubber and make it easier for additives to be mixed in, raw rubber is mechanically processed to transform it from a strong and elastic state to a soft and plastic state.
2. Mixing: The plasticized raw rubber is mixed with additives (such as carbon black, plasticizers, antioxidants, etc.) in a mixer to produce a uniform compound.
3. Calendaring or Extruding: The compound is processed into a certain shape and size of blank through a calendaring machine or extruder.
4. Molding: The blank is combined with textile materials (or metal materials) that have undergone calendaring, coating, or glue application, and processed into the desired shape and size through a molding machine.
5. Vulcanizing: Under a certain temperature and pressure, the rubber molecules are crosslinked from a linear structure to a network structure, thereby giving the rubber sheet the required physical and mechanical properties and chemical stability.

V. Precautions

1. Storage Environment: Rubber sheets should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and rain.
2. Operating Temperature: The operating temperature of rubber sheets should be within their working range, avoiding exceeding their temperature tolerance limits.
3. Avoid Contact with Chemical Substances: Avoid direct contact of rubber sheets with strong acids, strong bases, and other chemical substances to prevent corrosion or deterioration.

In summary, rubber sheets have a wide range of application fields and market demands due to their unique performance characteristics. With the continuous advancement of technology and the diversification of people’s needs, the types and properties of rubber sheets will continue to develop and improve.