Elastomer technology

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Elastomer technology is a general technical term that includes the areas of application of elastomer plastics . Elastomers are characterized by their soft character and are often used in the form of shape-retaining foams. The two most important characteristics of elastomers are their hardness, measured in Shore , and their resilience. According to these values, every elastomeric plastic has a specific profile of properties, which makes it ideal for certain technical applications.

Sealing systems

Self-adhesive EPDM flat seal

Sealing technology is a classic area of ​​application for elastomers . Due to their elastic behavior, the seals can cling to surface structures and thus guarantee a high level of impermeability to media. The plastics used are specified depending on the medium; for example, EPDM foams are used for simple flat seals, whereas rubber seals made of NBR are preferably used for seals in oil-containing areas , as these have a higher media resistance. Seals are often installed by inserting the sealing profile into the recesses provided in the component or by means of self-adhesive foils.

Damping systems

Conical rubber buffer

Damping systems are used wherever vibrations and noise are to be avoided and reduced. Machine tables move due to vibrations from the motor or imbalances and introduce them into the ground. The use of pure metal feet creates a strong background noise, which makes working on the machine very uncomfortable. To avoid the resulting noise, rubber dampers are often used, which absorb the vibrations and, to a certain extent, can reduce them. This process is also called decoupling, as an elastic component acts as an intermediate piece. Another area of ​​application for damping systems is the gentle braking of moving machine parts. If you use buffers, often made of rubber, they brake the moving mass on impact and prevent an abrupt impact, which increases the service life of the machine.

literature

  • Gerhard P. Streit u. a .: Elastomer sealing systems - materials, applications, constructions, standards . Expert-Verlag 2010, ISBN 978-3-8169-2895-9 .

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