Nowadays, rubber is an essential part of a huge range of products and a vital material. Rubber is popular in the manufacturing of machine components, like shock absorbers and dampeners, as well as in the soles of shoes.
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Rubber is a natural substance deriving from trees, but to get it into its useful form, treatment in the form of a process called vulcanization must occur.
Vulcanization cures rubber via the method of crosslinking. Crosslinking boosts the rubber’s inherent resistance and strength. Thanks to its myriad of qualities, like insulation, durability and water resistance, vulcanized rubber is the material of choice for a range of industries, including mechanical engineering, aerospace, automotive, energy and medicine.
Vulcanization also strengthens synthetic rubber and, thanks to its many advantages, renders it a preferred material for myriad applications.
Each type of synthetic rubber – for there are multiple – is made with specific qualities to ensure that it is suited to unique applications.
For example, styrene-butadiene rubber, which is more commonly referred to as SBR, has good resistance, resilience and strength – making it suitable for a variety of uses within the automotive industry, such as tire products and mechanical parts.
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (otherwise known as EPDM) is another type of synthetic rubber, which is primarily used within construction for roofings and extreme environment coatings – thanks to its ability to withstand temperature variation.
EPDM is also elastic and able to retain its shape when subject to physical stress. As evidenced by these two examples, synthetic rubber is therefore hugely valuable to everyday life.
Why is Advanced Compression Press Technology Needed for Rubber Vulcanization?
As a result of rubber’s integral qualities, it must adhere to strict standards to ensure that manufacturers are producing high-performing and high-quality products. This set of strict production and industry standards is termed ASTM – the acronym for the American Society for Testing and Materials.
ASTM, now an international guideline, delineates tens of thousands of technical standards which have been designed to ameliorate both product quality and the safety of rubber production processes.
Understandably, this set of standards is crucial to the success of the industry, verifying and maintaining consistency and accuracy in rubber production processes.
There is, therefore, a clear need for technology that can test the quality of rubber products to ensure they are meeting ASTM standards.
The demand for efficient rubber vulcanization is addressed by advanced compression presses. By applying a controlled pressure force on a range of materials, these machines test the physical product characteristics of their subjects, like strength, resilience and durability.
Such pressure tests confirm to all parties that the rubber products being manufactured are in accordance with set ASTM standards and will be reliable and of high quality.
Wabash MPI, and their sister company, Carver Inc., are able to accomplish this with superior precision and control. More details about the presented product lines are discussed below.
Wabash G50H-19-RASTM Hydraulic Compression Press
Within the rubber industry, most clients use hydraulic Wabash press in their rubber production processes. Wabash’s Genesis Hydraulic Compression Press for Rubber Testing is a popular machine, given that it meets ASTM D3182 standards and has been specifically designed to vulcanize rubber sheet samples.
As a result, this machine is crucial when ensuring that rubber is meeting ASTM D3182 testing standards.
ASTM standard rubber test slabs are produced by the G50H-19-RASTM model of the Genesis hydraulic compression press line. This model is able to accomplish this production with Accu-Heat Heat Tube Platens. These are highly accurate, producing uniformity within a single degree Fahrenheit.
Further features of the G50H-19-RASTM include a programmable controller and operator interface, built-in lift truck tubes, an automatic bump and clamp pressure relief valve and gauge.
It also boasts proximity switches, a cycle counter and optional features, like a multi-channel data acquisition system that can monitor and record clamp force, as well as platen temperature (an air-cooled and heat exchanger).
A contact gauge can be coupled with platens specially designed for proper temperature uniformity and its self-contained hydraulic unit to ensure quiet operation as well as a low-pressure system that is able to perform successfully between 2 to 50 tons.
Simply put, the G50H-19-RASTM represents a true technological solution to the demands and stringent standards of vulcanization in the rubber industry.
Carver Press Products and Accessories
Within the industry of standard press design and manufacturing, Carver Inc. is recognized as the leader. The manual press from Carver is ideal for unique and demanding applications and, as such, is the first choice for many companies within the rubber industry.
Carver Inc. follows ASTM quality and safety measures meticulously, and as such, meets international standards for both accessories and laboratory presses. Along with Wabash MPI, its sister company, Carver Inc., presses can perform world-class vulcanization processes to meet the testing needs of a wide range of industries.
Wabash MPI / Carver Inc. Solutions
Adherence to ASTM guidelines and innovative testing procedures is essential when vulcanizing rubber products for many industries worldwide. As a leader in engineering and manufacturing of presses for both lab and manufacturing applications, Wabash MPI can offer top-line vulcanizing services with their advanced technology and expertise.
The organization’s most recent innovation, the G50H-19-RASTM model, is highlighted in this article, along with an outline of its capabilities.
Wabash MPI and Carver Inc. can provide various field service needs, including product start-up, assistance and maintenance, thanks to their highly trained professionals. Their experts can provide specific guidance on the replacement of press parts, as well as technical assistance and training resources via email, phone or fax.
It is crucial that proper vulcanizing solutions are used to ensure rubber manufacturers and researchers are adhering to proper standards.
When offering recommendations for your automatic or manual hydraulic compression presses, ASTM Standards are prioritized by the staff at Wabash MPI and Carver Inc., no matter your industry: from aeronautical and mechanical applications to medical and energy uses.
Wabash MPI and Carver Inc. have years of combined experience in supporting the rubber production market with their solutions for customized vulcanization testing.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Carver, Inc.
For more information on this source, please visit Carver, Inc.