Rubber Belting Pt. 2
High-Performance Rubber Elastomers for Conveyor Belting
High-Performance Rubber Elastomers for Conveyor Belting
Rubber is a durable elastomer that is commonly used in making conveyor belts. There are many different types of rubber, from natural to synthetic. Check out our previous article on common synthetic rubbers. In this article we will review two high-performance rubbers in conveyor belting: Butyl and Gum Rubber.
Butyl rubber, aka isobutylene isoprene rubber or IRR, is a high performance synthetic rubber used in conveyor belting. It has low permeability of liquids and gasses which is why it is often manufactured as food grade when used for conveyor belts. Another advantage of Butyl is the wide temperature range; our butyl conveyor belts operate in environments as low as -65°F up to 300°F! However, keep in mind that operating at the extreme limits of any material may reduce product life or performance. We’re here to help if you have questions about a tough application.
Gum rubber has high tensile strength and elasticity. This elastomer also is extremely tough with good abrasion, tear, and puncture resistance. The primary downside is the high cost of gum rubber. Gum rubber is at least partially a natural rubber, but can also be mixed with synthetic rubber. “Pure gum” is often used to designate a natural rubber without the synthetic additions.
Generally speaking, natural rubbers have better flexibility while synthetic rubbers can perform in broader environmental settings. Another consideration is that natural rubbers are extremely consistent while synthetic rubber is more likely to vary in performance based on composition, manufacturing process, and other factors. Don’t hesitate to contact us at moc.gnitleblom@selas if you would like to learn more about the rubber belting offered by Mol Belting Systems.