Rubber sheet is a versatile material widely used in industries, construction, aerospace, sports equipment, healthcare and more. The manufacturing process of rubber sheet includes several steps, the most important of which are rubber mixing and calendering.
(1)rubber mixing
Rubber mixing is the first step in the manufacture of rubber sheets. During compounding, natural or synthetic rubber is mixed with other additives to obtain the desired properties and characteristics of the rubber. Mixed additives usually include vulcanizing agents, accelerators, fillers and plasticizers.
The mixer is the key equipment for rubber mixing. A mixer can mix raw materials together while heating them to the proper temperature to help them mix better. Kneaders typically have two steel drums with an adjustable gap between them for better control of the mixing process.
(2)rubber calendering
The kneaded rubber will be sent to the calender. A calender is a piece of equipment specifically designed to shape rubber into sheets or films. A calender consists of two or more rollers between which rubber is placed and heated and compressed to form the desired shape and thickness.
During the calendering process, different methods can be used to modify the properties of the rubber sheet. For example, the physical properties of the rubber sheet can be changed by changing the hardness, thickness and texture of the rubber. In addition, different colors, patterns and finishes can be added to meet specific application needs.
Finally, the finished rubber sheet will be cut to the desired size and shape. Shearing can be done by machine or by hand.
Rubber sheet production is a complex process that requires strict control and supervision. Proper compounding and calendering are key to obtaining the desired properties and characteristics. In order to ensure product quality, manufacturers also need to conduct quality inspection and testing of finished rubber sheets to ensure that they meet standards and specifications. In addition to rubber mixing and calendering, the production process of rubber sheets also includes other key steps, such as coating and drying of rubber sheets.
(3)Coating of rubber sheets
Coating is an essential step in the production of rubber sheets. During the coating process, rubber is applied to a material called a substrate. The substrate can be a material such as paper, fabric or plastic film. The purpose of coating is to firmly adhere the rubber to the substrate and form a strong structure.
The coating machine is the main equipment for rubber sheet coating. In the coater, the rubber is applied to the substrate and fixed by a drying process. Coaters typically include a rubber mixing tank, a pair of scrapers, and a drying chamber. The rubber mixing tank is used to mix and supply rubber, the scraper is used to coat the rubber on the substrate, and the drying chamber is used to dry the coated rubber sheet and fix it on the substrate.
(4)Drying of rubber sheets
Drying is a very important step in the production process of rubber sheets. During the drying process, the coated rubber sheet is heated to remove moisture and fix it to the substrate. The drying temperature and time will vary according to the material and thickness of the rubber sheet. If the drying temperature is too high or the drying time is too long, the rubber sheet may be deformed or burnt.
The dryer is the main equipment for drying rubber sheets. In the dryer, the rubber sheets are placed in a heating chamber and dried by circulating hot air. Dryers usually have temperature and time controllers for better control over the drying process.
Summarize
The production process of rubber sheet includes multiple steps such as rubber mixing, calendering, coating and drying. These steps require strict control and supervision to ensure that the quality of the rubber sheet meets the standards and specifications. At the same time, the manufacture of rubber sheets also requires the use of appropriate equipment and tools to improve production efficiency and quality.