Produced in sheets porous sponge rubber has high elasticity and does not break down under multiple deforming forces not exceeding the rupture threshold values in any direction, and after their removal instantly returns the original geometric shape and dimensions. This property allows it to be used to absorb impacts of any amplitude, thereby preventing unwanted shifts of parts and the appearance of cracks, chips and dents on their surface. Also, shock-absorbing qualities are useful when it is necessary to muffle vibrations caused by the operation of a piston engine, compressor or the alternating magnetic field created by induction coils of elements not involved in the working process. Due to this, the level of noise unpleasant for the ear is significantly reduced and the threat of resonant destruction of vibrations causing discomfort and supporting structures is eliminated.
The second most important purpose of sponge porous rubber is the sealing of various cavities and cracks in order to seal a certain part of the space from the environment. Occasionally, the same part made of the described material performs both of the above-mentioned most important functions for practice. An example is the sealing rings of pipeline compensators, which are necessary for relieving mechanical stresses that arise due to thermal expansion or contraction of pipelines that are many kilometers long.
Materials similar to sponge porous rubber for solving other problems
If contact of the sealing or protective coating material with aggressive substances is planned, it is better to choose varieties specially designed for this purpose. Available in the form of rubber sheets technical plate Depending on the name, it can cope with the effects of various reagents. The following examples can be considered:
- The grades named TMKSh are resistant to acids and alkalis, so they are widely used in chemical plants and laboratories. They can be used both for cutting sealing elements for equipment and as protective coatings for working surfaces.
- Oil and petrol resistant rubber MBS does not dissolve or soften with any of the substances included in crude oil or being a product of its distillation. It is successfully used both in pipelines and in units such as fuel pumps and internal combustion engine units.
- In electrical engineering and power engineering, the brand with the letter designation OM, which is resistant to the effects of ozone arising from electrical discharges, and UM, which is not subject to the influence of expensive transformer oil, are widely used. This eliminates not only the loss of valuable filler due to leakage, but also prevents dust and moisture from getting inside, which can disrupt the normal operation of electrical equipment, and which can be chaotically distributed in the occupied volume and conduct electric current where this is not allowed according to the basic diagram.
In addition to the technical plate, other materials included in the general group can be considered analogs of sponge porous rubber, which are worth discussing in more detail separately.
Conveyor belt
Reinforced with several layers of strong fabric conveyor belt is capable of taking on significant mechanical loads and has increased wear resistance of the surface. It is used in stationary and mobile installations for lifting and moving bulk materials and piece goods. They can be found in a variety of places:
- quarries, stone quarries and mines for the extraction of sand, chalk, gravel, ore, coal and other minerals;
- elevators, mills and farms for drying, storing and feeding various grain crops for processing;
- construction sites for moving all kinds of building materials to the work site and removing waste.
Modern foundry production, metallurgy, assembly lines of machine-building plants and many other branches of industry are unthinkable without a conveyor belt. It is also difficult to replace when loading railway cars and transport ships.
Rubber compound
When you need to create a part of the required shape and size or apply a coating to a surface, it may come in handy rubber compound, commonly known as raw rubber. After being molded or fixed in place, it is vulcanized under high temperature, after which it becomes hard, elastic and capable of reliably performing the functions assigned to it.