Ever thought about how bridges bear the weight of rush hour traffic and how automotives absorb shocks to ensure smooth rides in vehicles? Well, many of these applications work on the harmony between flexibility and rigidity.
Let’s be more specific: this harmony is achieved by bonding rubber to metal, an essential technique done using rubber to metal adhesive that brings together the resilience of rubber with the toughness of metal.
Rubber products, when crafted meticulously, are capable of meeting diverse industrial needs and enhancing the quality and performance of the end products, especially in NVH (Noise, Vibration and harshness) applications.
In this blog, we will shed light on the process, types of adhesives, rubber compound manufacturing, and the importance of quality custom products.
What is Rubber to Metal Bonding?
Rubber to metal bonding is a critical process employed to glue metal to rubber in a super strong way. It’s all about sticking together the rubber and metal parts so that they work together as a single unit.
The quality of the rubber being used in this process can significantly influence the bond’s strength and longevity. We, at GB Rubber Product are constantly working towards advancements in this domain, emphasizing the significance of precise bonding techniques.
Process of Rubber to Metal Bonding
Rubber to metal bonding is carried out in six steps, where these steps can vary depending on the type of process employed. The basic process of rubber to metal bonding involves the following steps:
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- Preparation: Before bonding, the metal substrate undergoes cleaning to remove any impurities or dirt, ensuring an impeccable bond.
- Applying Primer: A special primer is applied to the metal to ensure that the surface is well prepared for application of adhesives, thereby enhancing the adhesion between the rubber and metal.
- Applying Adhesive: Once the primer is applied, special rubber to metal adhesives are applied on the surface of the metal part to ensure the steel part gets securely bonded to the rubber part in the subsequent steps of the process.
- Molding & Bonding: The rubber part is then molded onto the primed metal surface to establish the required rubber to metal bond.
- Curing: This phase involves heating the assembly in a press or autoclave, ensuring a durable rubber metal bonded connection.
- Testing: Several quality checks and tests are performed in this step to ensure the newly created product is high quality and is reliable. For instance, we at GB Rubber Products pass each rubber to metal bonded through a series of quality tests to ensure every single product manufactured by us is of the highest quality.
Please note that different rubber or metal parts may require different sets of rubber to metal adhesive solutions to achieve a durable bond. We suggest doing adequate research or consulting with experts before using any adhesive in your bonding process.
Rubber to Metal Molding Methods
The two most common molding methods used for rubber to metal bonding are transfer molding and injection molding. Let’s discuss them in brief:
Transfer Molding
Transfer molding is one of the most commonly used to manufacture rubber metal bonded products. This process involves inserting the metal part into a heated mold, followed by a solid rubber part being pushed into the mold using a heated plunger, which fills around the metal parts.
Injection Molding
This method of manufacturing rubber to metal bonded products uses a process similar to transfer molding. In this process, the metal part is inserted into the mold, followed by a liquid elastomer being injected into the mold. Once the mold has been cured and vulcanized at a high temperature, the final bonded part is removed from the mold.
Applications of Rubber Metal Bonded Components
Metal bonding could be performed on virtually any rubber part, making this process versatile and popular. Let’s discuss some of the most common uses and applications of rubber metal bonded rubber products.
- Automotive: Gaskets, engine mounts, bushing, shock absorbers, etc.
- Medical: Vibration isolation in sensitive devices, etc.
- Construction: Conveyor belt, stabilizers, vibration reduction, isolation mounts, etc.
- Transportation: engine parts, suspensions, valve seals, etc.
- Agriculture: Isolation mounts, pump ball joints, cab isolation, etc.
Quality Custom Rubber Metal Bonded Products
Rubber to metal bonding plays a pivotal role in various sectors, offering solutions that combine the elasticity of rubber with the strength of the metal. With the right adhesive, proper manufacturing processes, and an emphasis on quality, these components provide unparalleled performance in myriad applications.
We at GB Rubber Product emphasize custom solutions, ensuring each component fits perfectly in its application. For optimal performance, it’s paramount to invest in quality custom rubber metal bonded products.
Contact our experts today to learn more about our specialized rubber products and solutions.
