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Rubber to Plastic Bonding

Wayne Painter

Wayne Painter
Rubber Moulding Manager

Solving customer problems since 2000.

Combining advanced materials for optimum performance

One of the great things about rubber is that it can be bonded to just about any other material.

A real benefit that we have seen in recent times, with the development of exceptional materials – carbon fibre, PTFE, acetal, acrylic, Peek® – is that rubber can be chemically bonded to them and therefore provide the best of both worlds.

Rubber to plastic bonding

A rubber seal with a PTFE lip; a carbon fibre substrate with a bonded rubber lip; a composite wear pad made of rubber and PTFE. Very often a seal needs to be in contact with a moving surface in order to perform its intended function – but in doing so can create too much friction. A combination of rubber and PTFE can form a compliant but low-friction seal. Alternatively, the PTFE can be used right at the tip of the seal to reduce the likelihood of damage through overheating – but will be energised by the main bulk of the seal which is still manufactured from rubber.

Rubber can be chemically bonded to most polymers, and this dual-material solution is now used across a range of applications, providing a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts and requires fewer stages in the final assembly of the product.

Our expertise in action

Custom solutions to ensure MXGP pole position

Not all our customers want volumes of parts; sometimes they just need a small batch, manufactured to exacting specifications with absolute performance in mind. Challenge: To design and produce parts for improved performance on a competition...

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Critical components test the boundaries of moulding techniques

Rubber is the ideal solution for a fuel hose - it can cope with extreme chemicals and provides flexibility. However, when trying to design for both safety and space-saving, a unique challenge is presented. Challenge: To...

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FEA simulation for crash test readiness

Finite element analysis can be used not only for understanding wear and reducing the cost of prototyping but also as part of a critical safety analysis prior to real-world tests. The challenge: To assist a commercial...

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Designing for production efficiencies

The processing industry is under pressure to offer efficiencies and cost-savings at all stages of their process. Consistent, reliable supply is the backbone of a productive business - and sometimes design for manufacture is key. The...

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Putting aesthetics at the forefront

There are times when the appearance of a product is equally as important as the function; if we know that from the outset we will design and manufacture with the visual impact as a priority. The...

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Designing around existing components for bespoke solutions

Often, our customers do not have CAD facilities; they rely upon us to take their vision and work with it to propose and develop a suitable solution. The challenge: To conceptualise and develop the design of...

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A race against time for design and production

For many of our customers their products are constantly going through re-design and development for improvement; we have to align ourselves with that process, often against tough deadlines. The challenge: To replicate a moulded rubber HNBR...

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Quality and workmanship to match your brand’s reputation

Some brands build their reputation on quality, finish and great British engineering. Whatever the critical factors for your product in terms of design and manufacture, we will work in partnership to make sure that our piece...

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Unusual solutions to solve a unique problem

Combining industry-specific knowledge with expertise in rubber engineering - whilst collaborating with engineers on site - allows us to think past the usual solution to a problem and design something to fit within a unique range...

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Problem solving and production for fluid engineering

Flowplant supply over 250 pumps every year throughout their distributor network, so when they came to us in 2018 looking for help in developing their diaphragm line we knew they would need support in both problem-solving...

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Chemical Compatibility and Physical Properties Chart

To better understand which materials might be suitable for your application, please take a look at our chemical compatibility chart – or better still, get in touch.

*These ratings are only a guide to the general suitability of each Polymer. Properties can be modified by specific formulation.

See chart
Rubber compound development

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