The chemical processing plant is one of the most popular manufacturing industries in the world. It is vital in producing many products, including fuels, fertilizers, medicines, and plastics. However, we know that chemicals are usually harmful to the human body. Therefore, ensuring safety is the prime concern in these industries. Weatherstripping, in this case, is a crucial component that makes the operation safe and efficient.

High-quality seal strips or weatherstripping are used to prevent the leakage of chemicals. It protects the manufacturing equipment from damage and corrosion. In addition, it ensures the flow of chemicals through the equipment is effective and efficient. Therefore, selecting a suitable weatherstripping material is very crucial. It would be best if you considered it to ensure the integrity of the chemical equipment.

On the other hand, different weatherstripping materials offer varying mechanical properties. These properties include temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and abrasion resistance levels. In this case, depending on the type of chemicals processing in the production, you should choose the suitable seal strip material. It is important to note that selecting the suitable seal strip material is very important. And you must do it to protect the equipment and improve the overall performance of the production.

However, this article highlights the importance of seal strips in chemical processing. In addition, it will also determine the varying types of seal strips available for chemical processing equipment. It will also discuss the most common types of seal strip materials and the critical factors of choosing a suitable material.

How Weatherstripping Works Against Chemicals

Chemical-resistant weatherstrippings create a barrier between the chemical and the machinery. As a result, these chemicals can not leak through, which may cause equipment corrosion. However, the effectiveness of this barrier depends on the type of seal strip material used. We know that different seal strip materials offer varying chemical resistance properties.

EPDM is a perfect example of a weatherstripping material that resists various chemicals. These chemicals might include acids, bases, or polar solvents. On the other hand, silicone seal strip is another ideal material with high chemical resistance ability. Neoprene is also one of the most popular synthetic rubber that works perfectly against oils, solvents, and fuels. Although, this material may not be suitable for harsher chemicals.

Seal strips or weatherstrippings help prevent the chemical from infiltrating the equipment. Therefore, choosing the suitable seal strip material and ensuring proper installation is necessary. Finally, your equipment can be protected from the damaging effects of chemicals.

Applications of Weatherstrippings in The Chemical Industry

Sealing strips are a barrier between the chemical and the machinery used in chemical processing. Therefore, it has many applications used in this manufacturing process. Following are the six most popular applications of seal strips seen in chemical industries.

• Storage tanks: Seal strips prevent the leakage of chemicals from the large chemical storage tanks. This type of weatherstripping typically protects the chemical tanks from corrosion.
• Chemical processing vessels: Vessels in chemical processing have two types. They include with and without internals. However, seal strips typically seal the openings in these process vessels. It prevents the leakage of chemicals and protects from corrosion.
• Transfer lines: Seal strips are popular in sealing the connection between the large transfer lines. Hoses and pipes are excellent examples of these applications. This weatherstripping usually prevents the chemical from leakage during transfer.
• Reactors and distillation columns: Seal strips seal the openings in chemical reactors. It may also be seen in distillation columns to prevent the chemical from coming outside.
• Valves and flowmeters: Seal strips seal the openings in chemical reactors. It may also be seen in distillation columns to prevent the chemical from coming outside.
• Chemical Storage Vehicles: Storage vehicles such as trailers require various seal strips. They protect the chemical from harsh environments.

Seal strips are popular in chemical industries for their excellent mechanical properties. These properties include chemical resistance, temperature resistance, and abrasion resistance properties.

Benefits of Using Weatherstripping in Chemical Processing

Seal strips provide high temperature and chemical resistance properties. So, they provide considerable benefits in chemical manufacturing. The following are the most crucial benefits in chemical industries.

• Safety: Seal strips prevent leakage of chemicals that may harm both environment and workers. In this situation, seal strips ensure a safe working environment for the workers in the production line.

• Increased equipment lifespan: Seal strips protect equipment from corrosion and damage. As a result, these seal strips offer an increased lifespan to this chemical machinery.

• Low maintenance cost: Seal strips protect the equipment from corrosion and damage caused by the chemicals. So, it ultimately saves the repair cost. On the other hand, this equipment requires less maintenance since seal strips provide an increased lifespan.

• Improved efficiency: High-quality seal strips or weatherstripping ensures effective and efficient manufacturing.

• Controlled emission: High-quality EPDM seal strips prevent chemicals and emissions. As a result, it improves the overall environmental impact of the chemical facility.

• Reliability: Seal strips ensure a safe working environment. So, it creates reliability among the workers. Accordingly, workers can confidently handle all the jobs.

How to Choose The Suitable Seal Strips for Chemical Works

Seal strips play a vital role in chemical processing. It is an essential part of every equipment used in chemical manufacturing. So, choosing suitable seal strips or weatherstripping is crucial. While selecting the seal strips, there are several factors that you should consider. Some of these factors are:

• Chemical compatibility: First, you should ensure the compatibility of the seal strips with the chemical used. The incompatible seal strips may degrade or become brittle leading to unexpected failures.

• Temperature resistance: The chosen seal strips must withstand the given temperature. Some seal strips are ideal for high-temperature applications, while others are not.

• Abrasion resistance: It is a critical factor that controls the friction or movement of the system. Seal strips of large pump shafts require high-quality abrasion resistance properties. It is necessary for withstanding high-frictional force produced by the system.

• Pressure resistance is one of the most critical factors you should consider. Chemical processing deals with varying pressures. As a result, the seal strip used in the equipment must withstand certain pressure levels.

• Size and dimension: You should check the appropriate size and shape of the seal strips that fit the equipment.

• Compliance: The seal strip you choose must comply with any regulatory requirements.

Above all, remember to collect all the necessary documents which elaborate on the above factors. okin Rubber provides authentic and tested papers from the lab. So, consider the above factors before choosing suitable seal strips or weatherstripping. Considering these factors, your chemical processing equipment can perform better.

Popular Weatherstripping From okin Rubber For Chemical Processing

In this section, we will talk about the most popular seal strip materials that you may choose from okin rubber. You can select the following materials depending on your suitable application and budget. However, okin rubber is a leading supplier of industrial rubber products. Their products also include seal strips for chemical processing.

• EPDM Seal strips: EPDM is a synthetic rubber excellent for durability and chemical and weather resistance. These seal strips material is popular in various chemical processing applications.
• Silicone seal strips: It is famous for resistance to high temperatures and harsh environments. Silicone seal strips are prevalent in high-temperature or extreme conditions.
• Neoprene seal strips are famous for their excellent resistance to oils, solvents, and fuels. Neoprene seal strips are prevalent in chemical applications involving exposure to these chemicals. Although, this type of seal strip may not be suitable for harsher environments.
• Viton seal strips are a type of fluoroelastomers. They are famous for their excellent chemical and high-temperature resistance.
• PTFE seal strips: PTDE is especially famous for its excellent non-stick properties. Besides, they are also good at chemical resistance, high temperature, and non-stick properties.

Case Study: Seal Strips in Petrochemical Industry

Successful implementation of seal strips is in a giant petrochemical facility. In this facility, frequent leaks and equipment failures are the primary considerations. After consecutive research, this facility decided to replace its existing seal strips with EPDM.

EPDM is a synthetic rubber famous for its chemical, weather, and high-temperature resistance. This weatherstripping material prevents chemicals from leaking and sweeping. It protects the equipment used in the process and provides a long-lasting lifespan. Above all, EPDM is the best choice for any sealing application.

Summary

Seal strips play a significant role in preserving the integrity of machinery used in chemical processing plants. They create a barrier that prevents chemicals from leaking or sweeping. As a result, it protects the chemical processing equipment from damage and corrosion. Therefore, choosing a suitable weatherstripping material for chemical processing applications is crucial.

While choosing the suitable seal strip material, we must consider the abovementioned factors. You can also choose from varying types of seal strip materials. But EPDM seal strips are considered the best materials in most typical applications.

Above all, if you still have questions regarding today’s article, don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team. You would be happy to hear that okin rubber keeps the best customer service team for their customer.

Sometimes, failed weatherstripping adhesive can be annoying. You may feel this difficult when you don’t know how to fix this problem. It is important to note that failed adhesive may bring many unwanted issues. Technically, when weatherstripping adhesive fails, the air contaminants can quickly get inside. It brings uncomfortable and hazardous situations. Therefore, fixing adhesive failure is crucial to understand.

On the other hand, if you peel off the old weatherstripping adhesives and apply a new sealant, the new glue may immediately fail. It is because there are some requirements for perfect adhesive attachments. Therefore, the primary purpose of this article is to highlight the fundamentals of adhesive failure. In addition, it will also discuss proper removal and preparation processes. Before that, it is also essential to understand the types of adhesives used in weatherstrippings. Moreover, it is also crucial to understand the common causes and signs of adhesive failure.

Types of Adhesives in Weatherstripping

Depending on different weatherstripping materials, the type of adhesives also varies. Every kind of the following weatherstripping adhesive works uniquely for specific applications.

Resin Adhesive

Resin adhesive is a strong and durable glue used in many applications. After application, resin adhesive forms an extremely tight and strong bond between two surfaces of the materials. It doesn’t shrink or contract due to high temperatures or excessive humidity. Resin adhesive is resistant to water, UV rays, and some chemicals. As a result, this type of adhesive is prevalent in underwater applications.

However, there are three types of resin adhesives based on different materials. Rubber adhesives, pressure rubber, and thermosetting rubber are noteworthy examples. The curing temperature of these types of adhesives is 150ᵒC and 130ᵒC for 1 and 2 hours, respectively.

Acrylic Adhesives

It is also a resin-based adhesive comprised of acrylic or methyl acrylic polymers. These adhesives are more potent than typical resin adhesives. In this case, acrylic adhesive’s cohesion and adhesion factors increase strength. As a result, these adhesive types are prevalent in most construction applications. However, it comes in both liquid and paste forms. Applying liquid acrylic glue often involves using a brush or a moist cloth. On the other hand, paste acrylic adhesives are more widely available and may be applied to almost any surface.

Silicone Adhesives

This type of adhesive is a versatile polymer. Its main ingredient is silica, a common form of sand. However, silicone adhesive is a polymer with siloxane bonds and organic compounds. This type of adhesive is popular as an alternative to toxic adhesives. It is prevalent in many industries for safe operation in securing and bonding surfaces. Moreover, silicone adhesives are necessary for resisting weather and moisture.

Other Adhesives

Other types may include heat-activated adhesives, thermal-release adhesives, and conductive adhesives.

Understanding Adhesive Failure

Adhesive failure refers to the bond failure between the adhesive and the substrate. It occurs due to some contamination or oxide materials. You may notice some signs of adhesive failure. If you face these signs, you should immediately change the adhesive or weatherstripping adhesives.

Signs of Weather Stripping Adhesive is Failing

How do you notice if the weatherstripping adhesive is failing? Adhesive failure may lead to a lot of hazardous situations. Therefore, it is crucial to consider adhesive failure. However, the following are the most common adhesive failure signs that you may find. It is important to note that these signs are the main symptoms of epoxy failure.

• Noise: You may encounter different noises inside your vehicle or apartment. It can be either wind or outdoor noises. You can confirm adhesive failure if the noise at the weatherstripping edges is noticeably louder.
• Visible Lights: If outdoor lights are visible around the edges of doors and windows, you can confirm adhesive failure. However, even though the weatherstripping is in good condition, if you find this type of sign, you can ensure adhesive failure.
• Dislocation of weatherstripping: The weatherstripping dislocates its original position while opening the chamber. It causes interference between the opening and closing of the doors or windows.
• Water leaks: Adhesive failure may also create water leaks. It may cause mold, wet carpets, or water dumping on the floor. You could use a garden hose to push water around the seals to ensure the leaks. If the weatherstripping leaks, then you can confirm adhesive failure.

Types of Adhesive Failure

Adhesives are an integral part of airtight and watertight enclosures. This bonding agent typically works for 50 to 100 years. In this case, how do you choose the right adhesion type?? In addition, what are the different types of adhesive that provide long-lasting performance? To understand all these parameters, we should first know the kind of adhesive failure and its reasons.

Substrate Failure

Substrate failure occurs when the adhesive becomes more robust than the actual material. As a result, it breaks the primary weatherstripping material. The substrate failure test is famous for testing adhesives for the desired result. While doing the test, if the substrate breaks before the bond, it confirms the improper adhesive installation. This type of failure usually occurs due to poor joint design.

Adhesion Failure

Adhesion failure occurs when the adhesive loses adhesion properties from any bonding surface. This failure usually occurs due to the absence of glue on one of the material surfaces. The surface treatment process is widely practiced to eliminate this problem. An in-depth analysis is crucial to identify this adhesive failure. The sign of adhesion failure can be found at the bonding interface.

Cohesive Failure

When the adherend fails before the adhesive, it ensures a cohesive failure of the substrate. This substrate is supposed to indicate excellent adhesion. However, cohesive failure occurs when a fracture allows a layer of adhesive to remain on both surfaces.

Reasons for Adhesive Failure

We have already known the signs and types of adhesive failure. To understand adhesive failure completely, we should also see why it happens. There are a good number of reasons for adhesive failure. The following four are the most common among them and often create adhesive failure.

Contamination

A contaminated surface creates adhesive failures. In such cases, the most common contamination can be grease, oil, or other contaminants. Therefore, before applying the adhesive, it is essential to ensure the surface is clean and adequately prepared. Surface treatment in this situation may include various cleaning and abrasion treatment methods.

Improper Application

Improper installation of adhesive may create adhesive failure. In this case, you must ensure the consistency of the mixture. You should mix the correct amount of elements to get the optimal bond strength. On the other hand, you should apply adhesive in proper proportion. Too much or too little glue may also create adhesive failure.

Substrate Compatibility

Substrate refers to weatherstripping applications on different materials. However, incompatibility between substrate and adhesive may create adhesive failure. For instance, plasticizers in some types of plastic may slowly seep through the surface. Therefore, it is crucial to check the compatibility of the substrate and chosen adhesive.

Environmental Conditions

Some environmental elements highly impact adhesive failure. High humidity, carbon dioxide, PH levels, and a certain quantity of oxygen change the properties of adhesives. Therefore, you should know these factors before choosing the appropriate application adhesive.

How to Remove Weatherstripping Adhesive

When you have determined the type of adhesive failure, you are ready to replace your weatherstripping. In this situation, we have prepared the following steps for replacing a new sealant for your doors and windows.

Remove Existing Weatherstripping

Before removing the glue, you should remove the weatherstripping first. In automotive vehicles, you may find the seals in a combination of adhesive and fasteners. Gently peel off the weather stripping using an appropriate hand tool. While removing the weatherstripping, ensure that the substrate is not damaged.

Remove Old Glue

When you have removed the weatherstripping, the adhesive layer is now open. The adhesive typically penetrates microscopic pours and defects in the weatherstrip. Therefore, you can only partially remove the bonds using physical tools. The following three are the most common methods of removing adhesive.

• Heat: Increased temperature softens the dried glues. Therefore, using a heat gun, it is easy to remove adhesives.
• Tools: Rubber or plastic putty knives or scrapers are ideal for eliminating glue without damaging the surface underneath.
• Solvents: It is the most effective way of removing weatherstripping. The adhesive removers usually mix with the adhesive, forming a new substance that is less sticky and safe to remove. It is important to note that these solvents can quickly remove paint on your vehicle. Therefore, avoid those products that may affect your car’s paintwork.

Preparation of Fresh Adhesive

After removing the weatherstripping and adhesive, you must clean the surface properly. In this situation, you should ensure no contaminants are left on the application. However, you can prepare and install the new seal strips per the instructions. We have three definitive guides explaining different installation processes on various applications. These are for automotive, shipping containers, or apartment doors and windows.

Final Thought

The weatherstripping adhesive is an integral part of sealing weatherstripping. While choosing the appropriate adhesive, you should consider some factors discussed above. We hope this definitive guide will significantly help in your DIY projects. However, please get in touch with us if you still need clarification on any of these topics. We have a team of experts who are waiting to give you a response.

Working with glue substances can be frustrating. When you are not professional, typically, you may not love to work with the glues. In this case, adhesive strips make the process easy for you, especially in DIY projects. You may find many adhesive strip types for a wide range of applications. However, we will discuss them in the later sections of this article.

We are already familiar with different types of weatherstripping. Besides, we also discussed their unique properties, which make them appropriate for individual applications. “Weather Stripping For Doors – Ultimate Guide To Different Types Of Door Seal Strips” is a definitive guide that explains all the fundamentals of different seal strips.

Weatherstripping is compulsory equipment for automobiles, ships, airplanes, refrigerators, air conditioning rooms, and noise-reducing applications. And adhesive strips are one of these sectors’ most popular weather stripping types. The most common question we find from our customers is how to install weatherstripping correctly and efficiently. Therefore, we have created articles on installation guides in different sectors, such as installing seal strips on doors, automotive, or shipping containers.

However, adhesive strips or weatherstripping is this article’s primary focus. We will describe their fundamental properties and applications. We will also discuss the importance of high-quality adhesives in ensuring extended stability. At the end of this article, we will bring some of the most popular adhesive strips (adhesive seal strips) for all sectors.

What Are Adhesive Strips? How Do They Work?

Adhesive strips are also known as self-adhesive weather stripping or self-adhesive seal strips. These adhesive weather strippings come in a diverse range of materials. Almost all types of rubbers, plastics, or metal seal strips can come with a layer that contains specialized adhesive for attachment. As a result, adhesive strips are versatile for all kinds of applications. The most common materials used for adhesive strips are EPDM rubber, neoprene, silicone, foam, and plastics.

Why are adhesives better than traditional fasteners? Modern glues are more potent than conventional glues. As a result, it is extremely popular as an alternative to nails and screws. These adhesives make the sealing job for doors and windows easier and faster. It also ensures the durability of the joint. Installing adhesive doesn’t require additional equipment or hand tools. As a result,  working with adhesives is more convenient and easy.

Self-adhesive weather stripping is famous for its diverse applications. We know that the primary purpose of seal strips is to seal the gap between doors, windows, electric cabinets, tanks, containers, or enclosures. Besides, it also prevents contaminants from coming inside or going outside. In construction, you will see that every apartment, building, supermarket, or hospital requires different weatherstripping types. Moreover, the automotive, aerospace, marine, oil, and gas sectors are noteworthy examples of weatherstripping applications. However, self-adhesive seal strips are trendy for automotive, marine, and household construction applications.

Requirement of The Adhesives Used for Weatherstrips

Based on different applications, the adhesive for weatherstripping may vary. In this case, there is a minimum requirement of adhesives for weatherstripping that should be considered in various applications. The adhesives for shipping container sealing may be different from the adhesive for weather stripping used for door sweeps. In this case, the customer should know a few factors when choosing suitable adhesives for weatherstripping.

1. Features: There are specific requirements of features that you should consider first. Your adhesive must be flexible, waterproof, and have excellent resistance against vibrations. Weatherstripping comes in contact with all types of environmental conditions. It is also necessary to check other resistance properties, such as oils, solvents, detergents, and high-temperature capabilities.
2. Accessibility and sturdiness: You should also consider the accessibility of the chosen adhesives. In this case, what kind of material you are working with is vital to know. Some bonding agents may not suit your applications. Therefore it is wise to check back the compatibility of the glue. Moreover, the compressibility or strength of the adhesive is also essential to consider. High-duty equipment may require the highest quality adhesives. Checking the sturdiness of the seal strip adhesive is also crucial.
3. Durability: Finally, the adhesive must ensure a fixed durability period. It can be ten years or 20 years. If the weather stripping sealant is high-quality, it can give you 30-40 years of durability.

These three parameters are the primary considerations for choosing the suitable adhesive for your application. However, there are other factors you should consider, too,  such as Brand, customer feedback, budget, product description, etc. It is important to note that these parameters determine the required quality of the seal strip adhesives. Therefore, it is crucial to understand these factors.

Widespread Self Adhesive Weather Stripping

This section will present some popular self adhesive rubber strips you can choose for your project. Each of these weather stripping adhesives is unique in its applications. These seal strips can withstand a temperature range between -40 °C – +60 °C. Moreover, the tensile strength is followed by 10MPa. However, we have discussed their properties and individual applications below.

D shape 3M profiles with adhesive

The primary materials used in this type of adhesive strips are sponge and foam EPDM rubber, neoprene, and nitrile rubber. High-quality BT (3M) adhesive tape attached to the flat surface of the adhesive ensures high strength.

Popular Applications:

D shape 3M profiles are popular for drowning out noise and eliminating vibration. These adhesive strips are prevalent in automotive, marine, and construction applications.

Self adhesive weather stripping – soft black rubber bumper strip for car

Profile for bumpers can come in different shapes, such as E, T, P, or D profiles. The high-quality EPDM rubber ensures durability and flexibility. It provides your vehicle with air-tight and dust-proof capabilities. As a result, your car interior stays clean and quiet.

Popular Applications:

These types of adhesive strips are specially designed for automotive vehicle bumpers. Since the size of this seal strip is universal, it fits most cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Adhesive foam strips – self adhesive weather stripping and Hi-Q Edging Trim D Strip for car body profile

The primary material for this type of seal strip is EPDM foam. These adhesive strips undergo high or medium-density foam rubber extrusion in this case. EPDM adhesive strips provide better performance and offer high-strength capabilities.

Popular Applications:

These adhesive strips are commonly applied to seal the car’s rear and front doors. Other shapes are also available in the factory based on different types of vehicles.

Adhesive 3M window rubber weatherstrip

This D shape adhesive weatherstrip is similar to the first model. However, this seal strip has a comparatively big D shape hole inside. The flat surface of the profile usually includes adhesive tape.

Popular Applications:

D shape self-adhesive weatherstripping is prevalent in sealing automotive doors to prevent noise, water, and insects in the car. Besides, it also saves energy.

Half-round sponge 3M adhesive rubber strip

These adhesive strips are among the most popular seal strips in many applications. However, half-round sponge adhesive rubber strips are manufactured using microwave vulcanized techniques. It provides excellent elasticity and anti-compression capabilities. Moreover, it comes in many sizes depending on its specific applications.

Popular Applications:

In sealing to keep out dust, water, or air, half-round solid D shape adhesive strips are frequently used in places like automotive doors, bonnets, boots, trunks, streetlight housings, heavy-duty steel doors and windows, and the aviation and electrical industries.

Car window adhesive strips

These adhesive strips are usually manufactured from EPDM rubber or foam seal face. Due to the high quality of rubber materials, these seal strips ensure high compressibility, strength, and flexibility.

Popular Applications:

These adhesive strips are prevalent in sealing sliding windows, sliding doors, security doors, closet doors, etc., to reduce damage to your doors and windows.

Self-adhesive window seal strip

This self-adhesive rubber strip comes from EPDM sponge rubber in various shapes, such as D, E, P, or I. These seal strips can withstand high compressibility. Depending on your application, you can customize the size and shape of these adhesive strips.

Popular Applications:

These seal strips are prevalent in sealing housing or car doors.

Self-adhesive EPDM foam rubber strip

This sponge rubber strip has a separate tape attached to the back, while the self-adhesive rubber strip comprises ordinary EPDM material. It provides excellent weather, aging, ozone, and acid and alkali resistance properties.

Popular Applications:

These seal strips offer a wide range of applications. It is ideal for sealing doors and window frames. In addition, it is also prevalent in refrigeration and air conditioning rooms.

Expert Advice

Adhesive strips or self-adhesive weatherstripping is an excellent sealing material. The application range of this seal strip is enormous. But why self-adhesive weatherstripping? Because it provides the following benefits.

• Easy Installation: Adhesive strips are the fastest and easiest to install. All you need to do is to measure the application area correctly. The adhesives used in these seal strips are high-quality and work instantly.
• Save Costs: Since self-adhesive seal strips already come with high-quality prebuilt adhesives, you don’t need additional tools or materials for the project. It leads to a cost-effective solution.
• Incredibly Durable: Adhesive strips are highly durable due to their high-quality material composition and adhesives.
• Versatile to all types of materials: Self-adhesive weatherstripping can attach to all major types of materials, including wood, metal, plastics, etc.

Therefore, it is wise to go for self-adhesive weatherstripping, especially for DIY projects. Installing these seal strips is easy and quick. However, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We have seal strip experts waiting to give you a quick suggestion.

Cargo containers are vital in transporting import and export products by ship, train, or truck. Shipping container door seals are essential elements of these cargo containers. However, It is important to note that these ships, trains, or trucks travel through all types of weather and natural obstacles. Heavy winds, rain, or snow can be common natural obstacles. Therefore, shipping container door seals are mandatory to prevent water, air, or snow leakage. So, it is crucial to understand the fundamentals of container door gaskets.

Previously, we learned about different types of seal strips and their shapes. The article’s name was “Seal strip shapes: The most common shapes in all applications.” You learned about a particular seal strip shape, which is a shape seal strip. This type of seal is the most common type used in marine applications. However, other seal strip shapes are also used in those applications, but not as much as the J shape.

This article will introduce you to the fundamentals of shipping container door seals. In addition, you will also learn some basic information related to cargo containers. Later, we will bring some of the most famous shipping container door seals that might be ideal for every cargo container.

Shipping Container Door Seals

This seal strip type is also famous as a container door gasket or shipping container weather stripping. Shipping container door seals are ideal for protecting and sealing out the container. It mainly works against water, snow, dust, or other contaminants. Therefore, shipping container door seals are the typical seal strip types used for weather stripping.

Continuous use of the shipping container door seals erodes the material gradually. As a result, it requires maintenance and replacement if necessary. Shipping container door seals are made of high-quality EPDM rubber. Here, EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. It is a synthetic rubber primarily used for all outdoor applications. However, the specialty of this material is its outer membrane. It is an excellent air-tight and waterproof seal.

The most popular application of shipping container door seals is sealing cargo containers for ships, trains, or trucks. However, you could also use this seal strip in dry cargo containers 20 feet and 40 feet high. Refrigerated containers of 20 feet and 40 feet tall also need this seal strip. Finally, a cube reefer container 40 feet high is also an excellent example of the application of shipping container door seals.

Learn More About Cargo Containers

The first sentence of this article mentions that cargo containers transport products. These containers are large steel boxes that have a variety of sizes. The typical material of cargo container structure is corrugated steel, which is very strong and can withstand bulk cargo. The rectangular shape of the cargo container makes it easy to load and unload from the ship, train, or truck. Cargo containers come in different types based on diverse purposes. The following list has the most popular cargo containers used in every port in a country.

1. Reefer steel shipping container: This cargo container is ideal for temperature-sensitive products. In this case, you can install a custom-built refrigerator.
2. Flat rack containers: These containers are usually ideal for products that can not fit in a typical cargo container. It only has a support post at the end, allowing easy loading.
3. Open top containers: As the name implies, this cargo container has an open top, which allows easy loading of oversized products.
4. Tank steel shipping containers are typically cylindrical vessels made of stainless steel. However, It is ideal for transporting hazardous and non-hazardous freight such as liquids, gases, or powders.
5. Double-door containers: This cargo container usually provides additional doors on the back sides.
6. Platform containers: This container has no walls, ends, or roofs. It is ideal for adding odd-sized cargo, which can not easily fit into regular cargo containers.

okin Rubber manufactures a wide range of different types of seal strips. Among them, shipping container door seals are noteworthy. Therefore, seal strips from this manufacturer are highly recommended.

Why Are Shipping Container Door Seals Necessary?

The importance of installing shipping container door seals is vast for every cargo container. It is compulsory to install these container seals to prevent many obstacles from outside. A ship, train, or truck travels through different weather conditions and other obstacles on the road. Installing shipping container door seals is necessary to keep the products safe inside. In the following, we have highlighted four primary reasons you should install shipping container door seals.

Weatherstripping and Ozone Resistance

Weather is the primary obstacle for cargo containers. Besides, these weather changes can be frequent or slow. However, shipping container door seals protect the products from a harsh environment. Heavy rain, sea storms, cyclones, heavy wind, or snow can not affect the products inside. Therefore, it is compulsory to install seals.

Prevent Leakage Against Water, Gas, or Air

We already knew tank steel shipping containers carry bulk liquids, gases, or powders. Therefore, filling the gap between joints or openings is a prime concern for this cargo container door. However, shipping container door seals perfectly fill these gaps. In addition, it prevents liquids or gas from coming outside. Moreover, it also prevents outside contaminants from coming inside.

Temperature Control Inside the Cargo Container Door

Temperature control is the prime concern for reefer types of cargo containers. Shipping container door seals perfectly seal all the gaps between the joints and openings. As a result, it makes the container inside air-tight. Finally, a temperature control device can easily control the temperature at a specific range.

Flexibility

Shipping container door seals offer excellent flexibility for the container doors and edges. As a result, it becomes flexible while opening and closing the container door. Due to this flexibility, the cargo containers last longer. However, these cargo containers may still need proper maintenance to ensure durability.

Popular Container Door Seal

There are different types of shipping container door seals with other functionalities. In this case, okin Rubber is a leading company that manufactures various seal strip sizes and shapes. All these seal strips are ideal for automobiles, doors, windows, shipping containers, trains, and ships. In the following, we have brought the most popular type of seal strips for a shipping container.

J-type container door seal

EPDM weather strip for container edge

Rubber extrusion strip for container door

H shape rubber seal strip for container door

How to Repair Shipping Container Door Seals?

Over time, seal strips erode and lose efficiency. As a result, it requires maintenance for repair or replacement. Replacing the shipping container seals is easy, and you can do it as a DIY project. However, we have divided the replacement steps into two primary stages.

1.      Remove the Existing Seal Strips

First, observe the damaged seal and then mark clearly on the seal strips where you need to repair it. Then, using a sharp blade, cut the portion of the damaged seal. In this situation, you may need a saw machine to remove other parts from the marked area. Now, properly clean the adhesives and other contaminants. You must keep the adhesive place free from pollutants since it might not function effectively if the glue combines with them.

2.      Apply New Seal Strips

At this stage, first, you pick a new shipping container door seal and place it on the projected area. Now, try to estimate and cut the size using a sharp blade. It is important to note that you can keep a little extra but can not keep it short. Otherwise, the sealing will not work effectively if the length of the rubber seal is short. The next step is to have a drill ready to produce holes, then tap the bolts back into place using a hammer. Finally, add adhesive and finish installing the seal strips.

Final Thought

Shipping container door seals are a vital element of every cargo container. These seal strips act as weather stripping and prevent liquids or gas from coming outside. These seal strips can withstand extremely high and low temperatures. As a result, the products inside a container remain safe from external contaminants and natural obstacles.

okin Rubber keeps high quality and the latest machinery to manufacture the best quality seal strips. Contact us for any queries. Our experts are always ready to answer your questions. You can also visit the product catalog to learn more about the products.

Seal strips are typically made of polymers and elastomers produced from extrusion molding. There are hundreds of seal strip shapes available in the market. Why such diversity of shapes? Because each industry and application has different requirements for different seal shapes. Customers who download our product catalog know about various seashore rubber products.

This article will only discuss the most popular and common seal strip applications. We will also highlight the specific application for each seal strip shape. It is important to note that you can directly visit the product’s profile by clicking on the link attached to the respective seal strip shape names.

Different Seal Strip Shapes

This diversity of the seal strip shapes is the wide range of applications. Seal strips are famous for eliminating noise and vibration. It also helps seal gaps around the doors and windows or prevents contaminants from entering vehicles or houses. On the other hand, we know that these applications’ infrastructure types are also vast. So, every kind of structure requires a unique seal strip shape.

We have covered all types of seal shapes for most sealing applications for any infrastructure. Seashorerubber offers exclusively designed seal shapes. These seal strips are perfect for garage doors and windows to automobile windshields and panes. The specially designed plastic and rubber compound for each product ensures long-lasting protection. The following list will discuss the twelve most popular seal strip shapes.

U Shape Seal Strips

This type of seal strip usually looks like the English letter “U” on the cross-section of the product. You may find several types of U shape seal strips. The types are channel seals, section strips, solid seals, silicone rubber seals, channel weather Stripping, etc.

Advantages:

1. Aging resistance
2. Waterproof
3. Good resilience
4. Anti-collision
5. Wear-resistant
6. Flame retardant
7. Long life
8. Anti-stress
9. Acid and alkali resistance
10. Anti-UV

Applications:

U shape seal strips are prevalent in medical industries, scientific research, and food processing. It is also famous for weatherstripping cabinets and apartments. Moreover, the additional applications include optical fiber cables, electrical parts, hydraulic tanks, etc.

• Car
• Chemical industry
• Meter
• Mechanical
• Furniture
• Electronic appliances

D Shape Seal Strips

This type of seal strip shape is one of the most popular weather stripping in most applications. A typical D shaped seal strip has a half-moon bulb and a flat bottom. The half-moon bulb withstands high pressure. On the other hand, the flat bottom part contains adhesive, which helps with sticky attachment. D shaped seal strip materials, usually sponge rubber. It can ensure superior sealing under pressure.

Advantages:

1. Thermal insulation
2. Waterproof
3. Super elastic
4. Cushioning
5. Non-absorbent
6. Weather resistance

Applications:

This seal shape is prevalent in a mobile equipment cabin or machine enclosure. On the other hand, D shape seal strips are also used to seal gaps between long sheet metal and the other surface. Other applications include door edges, window seals, automotive seals, hydraulic equipment, etc.

• Car
• Doors and windows
• Mechanical

E Shape Seal Strips

E shaped seal strips usually resemble the small English letter ‘e’ at the cross-sectional area. Like D shape seal strips, the half-moon part of the E shape seal supports high compression. The flat bottom helps in attachment with the projected application surface. E shape seal strips usually come as extruded silicone rubber for a channel, section strips, and weatherstripping.

Advantages:

1. Tightness
2. Heat resistant
3. Aging resistance
4. Shockproof
5. Sound insulation

Applications:

E shape seal strips are trendy in food processing applications. In this application, mechanical fastening is more efficient and safer than adhesive. E shape seal strips are also famous in automotive, high-voltage insulation, and cabinet door seals. Also, some military applications might require this type of seal strip.

• Steel doors and windows
• Aluminum alloy doors and windows
• wooden doors and windows

T Shape Seal Strips

This seal shape has a flat surface or curved top and a “T” shape cross-section. This type of seal shape is widespread and a great sealing agent to prevent leakage from gaps or cracks. T shape seal strips may include channel seal strips, flat T seals, section rubber strips, rubber trims, and weatherstripping. This type of seal strip material may consist of natural rubber, neoprene, EPDM, nitrile, and SBR.

Advantages:

1. Aging resistance
2. Pollution-free
3. Long life
4. High and low-temperature resistance
5. Good sealing effect
6. Corrosion resistance
7. Good resilience
8. Tear resistance
9. Waterproof

Applications:

T shape seal strips are widely popular in hydraulic systems where fluid leakage is a concern. It is also prevalent in doors and windows, electrical cabinets, food processing, etc.

• Shipbuilding industry
• Instrumentation
• Telecommunications Industry
• Medical career

P Shape Seal Strips

This seal shape has one flat surface and a full moon part. It looks like the English capital letter “P” at the cross-section of the seal strips. P shape seal strips come as P shape seals, channel seal strips, section strips, and P shape weatherstrips. These types of seal shapes offer better performance and flexibility.

Advantages:

1. Weather resistance
2. Non-absorbent
3. Thermal insulation
4. Cushioning
5. High and low-temperature resistance

Applications:

P shape seal strips are prevalent as weather stripping in many industries. This seal shape is also popular in food, dairy, and pharmaceutical applications. Besides, this seal shape is also used in the laboratory where sealing is crucial for dust control.

• Precision machinery
• Medical equipment
• Furniture
• Vehicle
• Ship
• Pipeline
• Lamps

H Shape Seal Strips

This seal shape usually includes H shape silicone rubber seals, H rubber channel seals, and H shape section rubber seals. This seal strip type is traditionally used for high-temperature resistance ranging from -65°F to +400 °F.

Advantages:

1. Preservative
2. Aging resistance
3. High and low-temperature resistance
4. Not easily deformed
5. Long-lasting
6. Insulation
7. Good elasticity

Applications:

H shape seal strips are prevalent in various applications such as rail, aerospace, and civil engineering. Besides, it is also widely used in food, dairy, and HVAC applications. Moreover, H shape seal strips are also used in sound and heat insulation.

• Mechanical
• Doors and windows
• Car

L Shape Seal Strips

L shape seal has two consecutive flat surfaces. It looks like the English capital letter “L” at the cross-sectional area. These seal strips usually come as an L shape rubber seal strip, L shape rubber trims, and L shape weather stripping. Depending on your application, you can decide the material’s properties from seashore rubber.

Advantages:

1. Aging resistance
2. Good sealing performance
3. Sound insulation
4. Wear resistance
5. Anti-collision
6. Weather resistance
7. Insulation

Applications:

L shape seal strips are prevalent in food, dairy, and pharmaceutical applications. Besides, L shape seal strips are also perfect weather stripping for buildings, cabinets, and automobiles.

• Mechanical
• Car
• Container

J Shape Seal Strips

This seal shape comes in different forms, such as a J-shaped strip with thin and thick walls, flat and curved. Like other shapes, J shape seal strips also have diversity in selecting and matching varied materials and colors.

Advantages:

1. Anti-corrosion
2. Durable
3. High and low-temperature resistance
4. Strong climate adaptability

Applications:

J shape seal strips are popular in industries where temperature, ozone, electricity, and fungus are concerned. Moreover, these seal strips provide great flexibility and are perfect for electric insulation. Other applications include automobile weather protection, ship container sealing, marine, and aerospace.

• Car doors and windows
• Ship
• Aerospace

V Shape Seal Strips

It is the most popular seal strip widely used in weather protection in apartments and buildings. V shaped seal strips are also known as tensile seals. These seal strips are durable. Above all, v strips are prevalent in most building sealing applications.

Advantages:

1. Good sealing performance
2. Long life
3. Impact resistance
4. Shock absorbing
5. Insulation
6. Good elasticity

Applications:

The common application of v strips or v shape seal strips is weather protection, commonly found in most buildings and apartments. Besides, automobiles, electric cabinets, and hydraulic systems also require v strips or v shape seal strips.

• Car
• Hydraulic system
• Building

Oval Shape Seal Strips

This type of seal shape has a solid oval shape at the cross-section. The typical materials for this type of seal strip are EPDM, silicone rubber, and other elastomers. These materials are highly versatile and provide excellent sealing capabilities. Because of its tangible properties, it can withstand high compression pressure. The typical hardness of this type of seal strip is from 20 shore A to 80 shore A. Shore is a unit of the hardness of a material.

Advantages:

1. Weather resistance
2. Anti-aging
3. Shockproof
4. Dust-proof
5. Pest control
6. Anti-UV
7. Chemical resistance
8. High and low-temperature resistance
9. Good resilience
10. Sound insulation

Applications:

This type of seal strip is widely popular in chemical industries. Besides, oval shape seal strips are also prevalent in hydraulic systems, electrical cabinets, etc.

• Pipeline system
• Car
• Mechanical
• Household appliances
• Toy

Bulb and Double Bulb Shape Seal Strips

These seal shapes typically have a single and double half-moon structure at the top and a flat surface at the bottom. As the name implies, these seal strips look like single or double bulbs at the cross-section. Most industries aim to use these seal strip shapes for water and chemical resistance.

Advantages:

1. Good elasticity
2. Shockproof and waterproof
3. Environmental Safety
4. Aging resistance
5. Alkali resistant
6. Sound insulation
7. Insulation
8. Dust-proof

Applications:

The typical use of bulb seal strips is between the door and the wall, either on the hinge or strike side. These seal strips are also popular in chemical industries, water treatment, food processing, etc.

• Car windows
• Chemical industry
• Food processing

Triangular and Trapezoid Shape Seal Strips

Finally, these two seal strip shapes also made great demand in most industries. These seal strips are typically solid in form. Moreover, they can withstand temperatures from -65 °F to 450 °F. These seal strips offer excellent electric and heat insulation.

Advantages:

1. Stretch resistance
2. High and low-temperature resistance
3. Insulation
4. Withstand voltage
5. Wear resistance
6. Weather resistance

Applications:

These seal strips are popular in the construction, automotive, marine, and aviation industries.

• Architecture
• Car
• Ship
• Food

Summary

Seal strips or weather stripping come in hundreds of shapes and sizes. All these sizes and shapes are suitable for specific applications. Each of the forms has a unique function and capabilities. We have tried to demonstrate the most popular seal strip shapes that you would find in most applications. However, there are other complex and customized seal strip examples. We did not bring those examples because we wanted to make this article relevant to the most common seal strip shapes.

Seashorerubber is a leading plastic and rubber seal strip manufacturer worldwide. This company manufactures all seal strip shapes and offers customers customized shapes and sizes. The factory’s seal strips are high-quality and long-lasting. Besides, they can also withstand high pressure and temperature. Silicon rubber seal strips are excellent chemical, heat, and electric insulators. This company focuses on all seal strips you may need for any application. You are welcome to consult at any time.

What is Extrusion?

Extrusion is placing material in a unique tool and process. Then, it can produce a continuous object with a fixed cross-sectional profile.

What is Plastic Extrusion?

The versatile nature of plastic has made them everywhere. It has longevity and needs simple manufacturing requirements. Injection molding and plastic extrusion aid in producing high-volume products. Extrusion is standard for profiles continuously entailing pipes, doors, and other bulky items.

This process involves melting a plastic material. Then, the molted form is passed continuously through a die. The product is later cut into the desired length. The process needs a cross-section. It has a low cost of production with a high production rate. Hence, plastic extrusion has become popular with manufacturers.

This article will help you learn more about plastic extrusion, its products, and how it has helped manufacturing industries. Stay tuned until the end.

What Does the Plastic Extrusion Process Entail?

What are the extruder parts? Before diving into the process, it’s best to have a basic understanding of the extruder parts. It will aid in having a clear picture of the process.

There are crucial parts in an extruder for its functionality. There is a hopper where raw material is kept, and it connects to a feed throat. It receives plastic pellets from the barrel. A breaker plate filter will feed the raw material through screening as it maintains the pressure inside. A filter pipe is connected to deliver the molten material to a die. Once it receives the products, this die shapes it to the required shape. It is later placed in a cooling system that solidifies the extruded plastic evenly.

The processing starts when the cooling ends since the product needs to be in a solid shape. The raw material is fed in a hopper, which has the usual form of a flake and pellets. Due to the force of gravity, the raw material moves to the feeder’s throat barrel. It can help to heat. During the heating period, the matter is passed through three different zones with higher degrees of heat than the previous.

Heating helps in melting the plastic, with the molten form being pushed to the die at the end. A motor-driven screw aids this process. The pressure produced in each step helps lower the need for heat in the other zones with too much heat. So that can save electricity.

The molten material passes the barrel to the screening filters, where any impurities are filtered out. It increases the purity state of the material to be used. At the screening stage, the pressure is too high. Hence, there is a need for a broken plate that helps avoid any spillage. There is a customized-built die that is piped through the filtered material.

There is a pre-machined opening which is specialized in the extrusion process. The process is completed once the material enters the die, taking the required shape. The material is then placed in a cooling machine to help it solidify evenly. The process might seem straightforward, but it requires concentration to minimize errors. If the errors do not occur, the end product will be high quality. It was, finally, generating better income for the organization.

Different Types of Plastic Extrusion Processes

Plastic extrusion processes depend on the die to be used. The fundamental function of plastic extrusion remains. And the only thing to differentiate is the complexity and shapes with which one deals. Below are four types of plastic extrusion as per the industry today.

Tubing Extrusion

As per the name, the process entails long tubes, pipes, and other related items. The process might seem easy, but the tricky part is producing hollow equipment. Despite these challenges, the extrusion process remains unchanged until you reach the die. After arriving at the die stage, the method uses positive internal pressure. This method aids in overcoming the higher power need that deals with hollow parts. Once the power has been controlled, the final results are surprisingly great to the eye.

Blow Film Extrusion

This process is widely used. Because it helps to create many everyday-to-day items like shopping bags and other packaging materials. The process is just like other extrusion processes. However, the difference is in the final stage of the die. Before leaving the dice, the material must undergo a cooling process.

At that cooling stage, the material does not solidify completely. Hence it must pass through an additional process called expansion through blowing. The only limitation is that the operation can only accommodate thinner plastic films. For thicker sheets, one has to go through other processes.

Sheet Film Extrusion

This process is like blow film extrusion. But it only works on workpieces that are too thick for blowing. Ultimately, the material passes through the pulling and rolling process to provide the shape needed. The rolling process cools down the plastic, allowing it to solidify permanently. This method helps produce ice cream boxes, juice cartons, wine boxes, and other plastic packaging. That can be conducted efficiently.

Jacket Extrusion

This process is carried out to produce insulating wires and other cover jackets that require plastic. The process is simple, and one needs to pull the material that involves coating during the die stage. Adhesive can also be used to give the product a long-lasting span.

What Are the Materials Used For Plastics?

Several thermoplastics are used in the plastic extrusion process. The thermoplastic is heated to higher temperatures. It cannot cause thermal decomposition but can cause them to melt. Temperatures vary from one thermoplastic to the other. This process is additionally used to prepare the recycling of plastic waste. The final product is then cleaned, sorted, and blended into filaments of resin pellet stocks.

Here are some of the materials used in this process:

• Polypropylene which melts at 450 degrees
• Polystyrene, which melts at 450 degrees
• Nylon which melts at the range of 450- 520 degrees
• Polyethylene, which melts at 400 degrees
• PVC, which melts at the range of 350- 380 degrees

These are some of the materials being used in the production of plastic. Most of the materials contain a polymer for faster production of plastic. This shows that the highest percentage of plastic includes a polymer atom.

What Are the Applications For Plastic Extrusion?

This process of plastic extrusion helps in the manufacturing of many parts. The final products are ideal and are used where a consistent profile is needed.

Wire Insulation

Thermoplastics have high stability and insulation to electricity. This property gives them the upper hand for extruding cables, wire insulation, and jacketing. Additionally, some fluoropolymers can be used in a similar case.

Tubing and Piping

The final products can be designed in a cylindrical form used in tubing and piping. Because they are the final product of the extrusion plastic. The material used here is PVC due to its sturdiness. Here is an example of extruded tubing and exterior gutter.

Weather Stripping

Some materials are designed to fit near door or window frames. For example, a draft uses rubber and can be used in weather stripping material.

Blinds

Multiple identical slats can be used as window blinds when they need repeating. This task can be done quickly by an extruder. Additionally, their profiles contain a short length which is the wrong round end.

Windshield Wipers

These are wipers installed in a vehicle to shield the wind. The material is made from ethylene propylene methylene. There is also another way to co-extrude synthetic rubber with natural rubber.

The above uses are just among the many benefits plastic extrusion can give society. Once some arise, one will have to add.

Comparison Between Plastic Extrusion and Aluminum Extrusion

The extrusion process occurs not only in plastic but also in other materials like aluminum. The extrusion process depends on which final product is needed and what the use is.

Aluminum has soft characteristics, which makes it a highly malleable metal. This characteristic makes it easy to extrude it in a continuous profile. Unlike plastic, aluminum has an upper advantage due to its conductivity, lightness, and recyclability nature. The parts that can be extruded for aluminum include tracks, frames, piping, bars, and wires.

The significant difference between aluminum and plastic extrusion is the operating temperatures involved. Temperatures range from 350- 500, and the cold extrusion occurs at room temperature. Other differences are interesting, but that’s a topic to be carried out in the following article.

Conclusion

The plastic extrusion process has its advantages and disadvantages. The benefit includes cost-effectiveness, unparalleled flexibility, and alteration. The extrusion process is the best and can help produce more plastic using the proper procedures. Thanks for staying tuned till the end. See you next time. Thank you.

Although many people believe they know what is pinchweld, others may not be able to explain it clearly. Many think it is the sealant that you apply to a zip-lock slide. But is it true?

Because they resemble fish bones, pinchwelds can sometimes be called herringbone welding. Pinch welding uses a strong adhesive to attach metal plates. Engineers use pinch welding to make aircraft and other vehicles stronger and more waterproof. This blog will give you all the information about what pinchweld is and its applications.

Simple Understanding – What is a Pinch Welding

So what is pinchweld? It refers to two metal plates sandwiched together by two electrodes. A spot weld is created by applying high pressure to the metal sheets to weld them together. Imagine holding two sheets of paper between your thumb and forefinger. It is how pinch welding works.

The pinchweld is one of the strongest welds. Why can you say that? Because it forms a mechanical bond between metal sheets or panels. It is commonly found on safety equipment, bus bodies, and other transport structures.

3 Types of Pinchweld

There are three types of pinch welding. Each one of these welds is suitable for a specific application.

Flat Shaped Pinchwelds

Flat pinch welds are one of the easiest welds to create. These welds connect long, horizontal pieces of metal to cover the car’s machinery.

L Shaped Pinchwelds

L-shaped pinch welding is the most commonly used type in automotive manufacturing. Typically, you’ll see it under your vehicle. To build an L-shaped pinchweld, the welder needs two metal plates. They need to be connected. To make the overall weld L-shaped, one of the metal plates needs to be perfectly vertical, and the other needs to be horizontal. The two metals are then joined using a spot welding process.

After welding, you need to apply adhesive to the spot welds. You’ll end up with an L-shaped joint. This metal part will be visible on your car through the small metal flap that runs along the length of your car’s underside.

Z Shaped Pinchwelds

Z-shaped pinch welding is the most challenging type of welding. In effect, this type of pinch weld joins two L-shaped ones together. It is a difficult task. Because this requires high technical personnel ability. Two L-shaped pinchwelds need to be connected into a single connection. The operator assembles the two pieces of metal through the diagonal.

We see this type of pinch weld on the top front of a vehicle, usually on the windshield and windows. The welders will apply a urethane resin layer to the diagonal surface. This way increases the structural strength necessary for windshield or glass support. The Z shaped pinch welding on the top of the vehicle is less susceptible to wear than the weld on the bottom of the car.

What are Pinchweld Applications

Automotive Assembly

This technique is used frequently in automotive assembly. A pinch weld welcomes the car’s outer frame to its inner body. A pinchweld is an integral part of making a car door. It locks by pressing in from either side to maintain the car’s shape and structure.

Placing Jack

To help you find the crucial part of your pinch welding, companies make them place a small mark on the weld. This mark can guide you on where to position your jack. You can set the jack on either side of the pinch welding in cases with a mark. It depends on the vehicle’s material.

Pros and Cons of Pinch Weld

Pinch welding is an excellent solution to common problems like loose nuts and bolts. But it’s not perfect, and it has drawbacks.

Advantages

1. This welding method is cheaper, more straightforward, and more effective than nuts or bolts for clamping different parts of the vehicle’s frame.
2. You can use pinch welding to temporarily or permanently fasten two or more pieces of metal together.
3. It provides an excellent place to put the jack.
4. You can repair the pinch welds for mild damage, such as dents, rust, and breakage. But severe damage is irreparable.
5. Pinch welding holds sheet metal together. These are particularly useful for heavy items.

Disadvantages

1. It can be challenging to do if you need to pinch welds at tricky angles.
2. The perfect type of metal is steel. Not all metal types are suitable.
3. Pinch weld defects could lead to many problems, including cracked frames and fuel tank leakage. Even if the pinch weld isn’t showing any signs of being defective, it could still cause issues affecting vehicle performance.

Common Problems of Pinch Weld

Corrosion and Rust

If you ignore rusty parts, they can have an impact on the entire vehicle. You can start by removing any rusted metal with the help of a small tool or knife. After cleaning, you should install new sheet metal to reinforce the damaged section. Before you do the pinching weld, carefully align both steel plate pieces. You may need to do another pinching weld if necessary. After everything is welded together and reinforced, you can prime the area and paint.

Dent

Pinch welding often creates dents. First, you need to determine if there is any breakage. If nothing is damaged, align the pinch welds at the correct angle. You will find scratches after cleaning. Continue to clean up scrap and exposed metal debris. Finally, apply a coat of paint with a brush.

Breakage

If two parts separate, there will be a gap between them. In this case, you need to repair the pinch weld immediately. Find the gap and use a vise to glue the gap together. Re-solder at the end to maintain the fit. Once everything is done, the final step is priming and painting. So it looks good again.

How to Avoid Pinch Weld Damage

If you thought that a slight bend at the pinch weld would not cause damage to your vehicle, you’d be wrong. Clip welding is often damaged due to improper use. Most cars have an L-shaped pinch welding underneath to keep them structurally strong. It can become brittle and cause water to collect in your vehicle. It could lead to more severe problems.

Do Not Jack From the Pinchweld Directly

Avoiding jacking from pinch welding is the best way to prevent damage. You need to know where the jack points are to lift your vehicle. It is the best option. Check your manual to determine if the jack can be placed under the front cross member for a jacking point.

Use a Jack Pad

It is a simple step to distribute vehicle weight evenly. You can use wood blocks or thick rubber to make the jack pad. They can be placed between the jack and the pinch weld. It will ensure that the weight is distributed evenly rather than hitting one area of the car.

Use the Right U-channel Jackstand

To rest in the jack stand, place the U-channel jack stand perpendicularly to the pinchweld. This jack stand may slightly indent your pinch welds if the car isn’t balanced. Make sure the U-channels of your vehicle are just a little deep.

Pinchweld Rubber Seal

The automotive industry uses a lot of pinchweld rubber seals. They can provide excellent water resistance, sound isolation and dust protection, shock absorption, keeping you warm, and energy savings.

Final Thought

It is all about pinch welding. In a word, this is challenging to understand for non-professionals. Remember to reapply the seam sealer and undercoat after removing the pinch weld clamps. It will restore corrosion protection and appearance. It is essential to repair or refinish any damaged or removed paint.

Extrusion defects appear due to different obstacles in the polymer extrusion process. Knowing all these obstacles in production is essential. Therefore, we brought this article to introduce the most critical extrusion defects in the polymer extrusion process.

We know that many factories and foundries have appeared due to the advancement of modern civilization. But do all these factories offer similar quality products? Not. Some foundries need help to afford quality manufacturing set-up. As a result, the products from these factories come with different types of polymer extrusion defects. We introduce this article and hope you will learn the fundamentals of extrusion defects and how to identify quality seal strips. Sit tight and read the following sections carefully. Try to understand the possible causes of the problems; ultimately, you will figure out the possible remedies.

Polymer Extrusion Defects

A product defect is a deviation of the product’s characteristics from the target specification by any manufacturing process. Polymer extrusion defects may appear from a single cause or a commutative cause of multiple factors. In the polymer extrusion process, these defects usually come from three primary sources: extrusion mold design, raw materials choice, and manufacturing process.

We have discussed the most critical polymer extrusion defects in the following. In the okin rubber factory, our experts focus on the precautionary steps to prevent the following extrusion defects. The high-quality sealing strips we offer are very popular with our customers.

Inaccurate Dimension

Identification of the Defect

1. Changes in thickness or uneven thickness.
2. Unusual response from the hot extruded polymers during cooling.
3. Other dimensional inaccuracies.

Causes

1. Improper operation of the machine’s parameters, such as direction and draw ratio between the extruder and the puller, is the primary reason for this defect.
2. The heat generated from the barrel dramatically impacts the final product quality. Inappropriate heating will lead to dimensional inaccuracy.

Surging changes the hot molten polymer’s dimension and limits production tolerances. Surging refers to the variation from a cycle behavior of the output generated by the extruder.

Remedies

1. In improper operation, the puller and screw speed may be inaccurate. In addition, check the extruder temperature and set it at a typical range suitable for the specific extrudates. These steps will also solve the overheating problems.
2. Replacing the screw would be the best decision in case of unusual surging. You could also install a gear pump between the extruders and the extrusion dies. Maintaining the extruder speed at least 10% slower or faster would also solve this problem.

Blow Hole Formation

Identification of the Defect

1. Different sizes of holes on the final product.
2. Large cavities at the edge of the product.

Causes

1. Resin is an essential material in the polymer extrusion process. Contamination of resin generates gas in the molten extrudates. These gas bubbles finally become holes or cavities in the final polymer product.

Remedies

1. Clean the extruder and the die.
2. Verify the quantity of the resin materials.
3. Ensure proper mixing of the raw materials in the hopper. In this case, for better material mixing, you could increase the rpm of the back pressure.

Bubbles and Pits

Identification of the Defect

1. A dotted line and different bubble sizes may appear on the profile.
2. In addition to the above appearance, different sizes of pits may also appear due to moisture absorption.

Causes

1. Trapped air inside the extrudates causes bubbles, pits, and dotted lines.
2. Some polymers absorb moisture. In those cases, moisture absorption may create such a defect.
3. An inaccurate ratio of the materials during mixing may also lead to this defect.

Remedies

1. If it has trapped air problems, you could melt the temperature of the materials. In addition, try your best to avoid the over-speed of the extruder.
2. For moisture absorption problems, you can use a vent in the extruder. Besides, the pre-drying method of the raw materials could solve the case.
3. Finally, ensure proper mixing of the materials and check the master data if necessary.

Sharkskin Melt Fracture

Identification of the Defect

1. Large or small sharkskin melt fractures on the seal strips.
2. In severe cases, gross melt fracture may also appear.

Causes

1. Increased shear rates in the polymer melts will create such distortion. Specific shear rates of the polymer melt can ensure the smooth surface of the extrudates.

Remedies

1. Adjust the shear rate by lowering the value.
2. You could also slow the extruder rates.
3. Reducing melt viscosity may also solve this issue.
4. Finally, you could also verify the die temperature, and if necessary, you can increase it.

Clogging in Extrusion

Identification of the Defect

1. There are intense and thick lines on the profile.
2. Clogging in extrusion.

Causes

1. This defect usually appears due to the jams or clogs inside the extruder nozzle. These obstacles prevent the molten material from freely going through the nozzle. It will result in clogging defects on the seal strips.

Remedies

1. Verify the quantity (percentage or ratio) of the resin materials.
2. Check for foreign materials or contaminants.
3. Increase the rpm of the back pressure for better mixing.

Centering Problems and Chatter Marks

Identification of the Defect

1. Chatter marks on the surface of the seal strip.
2. The symmetrical problem of the polymer profile.

Causes

1. Inappropriate system engineering or inaccurate installation leads to this defect.

Remedies

1. Check the alignment of the production line.
2. Adjust the extrusion die set.

Sink Mark

Identification of the Defect

1. Sink mark on the surface of the seal strips.

Causes

1. The sink mark problem is one of the most common rubber extrusion defects. This defect appears due to the indentation opposite the extruder rib. When the molten material cools, it first happens in the flat area. More materials are present at the cross-section. At this moment, shrinkage occurs in those thicker sections, making an indentation opposite the rib.

Remedies

1. Changing the part design would solve this problem 100%.

Volatile Defects

Identification of the Defect

1. Volatile defects may appear as slays or other forms of defects.

Causes

1. This type of problem usually comes from the poor and non-uniform gloss of the material. Gloss is a typical optical feature determing whether the material is transparent or opaque. Improper adjustment of the rollers may lead to poor gloss.
2. This problem may also appear due to the non-uniform roller temperature, inaccurate gauge, volatiles, or inappropriate melting temperature.

Remedies

1. Set the roller temperature as high as possible. In addition, you should also ensure there is no surging in the system (share rate falls).
2. Verify the quantity of the resin materials in the mixture.
3. Finally, adjust the extrusion die nozzles.

Weld Lines

Identification of the Defect

1. A weld line forms through two polymer fluids. In other words, if one type of material is used, the weld line may also appear due to any obstacles in the cross-section.

Causes

1. Weld line forms through two polymer fluids. In other words, if one type of material is used, the weld line may also appear due to any obstacles present in the cross-section.

Remedies

1. Increase the barrel temperature and clean the extrusion die to remove foreign materials or contaminants.
2. After that, you can increase the pressure on the materials for attachments.

Gels and Plate Out

Identification of the Defect

1. Gels and plate-out defects appear as surface defects that look like the fish’s eyes.

Causes

1. Gels refer to the high-molecular-weight unmelted polymer that may elongate when passing through the extrusion dies. After coming out from the extrusion die, these gels may return to their original shape or remain in the melted polymers.
2. Plate-out is the low-molecular-weight polymer that migrates to the extrusion surface and is deposited to the extrusion die lips.

Remedies

1. Verify the proper melting temperature and streamline the extrusion die to prevent stagnation.
2. Later, verify the extrusion speed and change the formulation process.

Warpage

Identification of the Defect

1. Twisted or deformed seal strips.

Causes

1. Non-uniform shrinkage causes internal stress, which ultimately leads to the warpage defect.

Remedies

1. Check the puller alignment with the extruder.
2. Adjust the melting temperature.

Final Thought

From the above explanation of distinct types of extrusion defects, we have found that these defects come from the improper setting of the technical parameters. Applying the mentioned remedies makes it possible to decrease the extrusion defects in the product. Fortunately, okinrubber is one of the most successful companies in the world. We promise the best quality rubbers and plastic seal strips for different applications. We keep the latest technology and maintain the proper manufacturing processes. So, our seal strips and weather stripping have high-quality finishing and a long life.

If you want to know more about our products, contact us through any platform you may like. We are always online, so you can contact us by phone, WeChat, WhatsApp, or email. Besides, our company has a team of expert engineers and customer service.

There are a lot of rubber products available in the world. EPDM rubber contributes a lot to many industrial and construction applications as one of the most popular rubber materials. EPDM rubber seal earned its place thanks to its excellent physical and mechanical properties, which are suitable for various applications.

This article will discuss the facts that cause EPDM rubber to be in great demand by many manufacturers and suppliers. We also highlight the fundamentals of this material, including its properties, advantages over business use, and some of its most common applications. Read on to learn more information in the following sections, and we hope this article will help you understand EPDM better than before.

What Does EPDM Stand For?

EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monometer. It is a synthetic rubber made of ethylene, propylene, and diene monometers. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a copolymer of these three materials. However, the composition contains a small amount of non-conjugated diene monomer, and 3 to 9% of the overall chemical composition provides a cross-linking site for vulcanization. Besides, the ethylene content in the chemical composition is between 45% to 75%. It contains more filler-loading possibilities.

Typically, the diene is either 1,4-hexadiene, ethylidene norbornene, or dicyclopentadiene. These terpolymers can be vulcanized using conventional methods. Depending on the grade and formulation, EPDM seals can withstand temperatures as low as -50℃ and as high as 150℃. Let’s elaborate on the properties below.

What is EPDM Rubber?

Typically, EPDM is a versatile synthetic rubber that is primarily popular for sealing and insulation. EPDM rubber must have specific properties that meet different product requirements. The EPDM rubber seal is famous in construction, HVAC, or manufacturing applications. In the later sections, we will discuss more EPDM seal applications.

Rubbers with a polymer composition are ideal for heat, light, and ozone resistance. In this case, the best examples are neoprene or polychloroprene, SBR, and natural rubber. EPDM seals are also resistant to temperature extremes ranging from -50ᵒC to 150ᵒC based on the type of grade and formulation. This temperature resistance property depends on the type of grade and formulation.EPDM seals can withstand loads ranging from 500 to 2500 PSI or 4Mpa to 25Mpa, resulting in high tensile stress.

EPDM seals can withstand loads ranging from 500 to 2500 PSI or 4Mpa to 25Mpa, resulting in high tensile stress. Additionally, this substance can adapt to polar liquids like hydraulic fluids, ketones, hot and chilly water, and alkalis. What is more, EPDM rubber is an electrical insulator. So, it is perfect for manufacturing electrical equipment and performing electrical services. In the following, we have summarized the mechanical and thermal properties of EPDM rubbers. This table will help you understand the fundamentals of this material.

Table 1: Mechanical and Thermal Properties of EPDM Rubber

Hardness	30 – 90
Tensile stress	4Mpa to 25Mpa (500 to 2500 PSI)
Elongation after fracture in %	≥ 300%
Density	0.90 to ≥ 2.00 g/cm³
Thermal Expansion coefficient	160 µm/(m.K)
Service temperature (Max)	150ᵒC
Service temperature (Min)	-50ᵒC
Glass transition temperature	-54ᵒC

What Are The Benefits of EPDM Rubber?

EPDM provides various beneficial properties. That makes EPDM a quality material for applications requiring durability and miscellaneous resistance. In the following, we have summarized EPDM rubbers’ mechanical and thermal properties. This table will help you understand the fundamentals of this material.

Weather Resistance

EPDM rubber is typically famous for its excellent weather resistance property. EPDM rubber seals are also called weatherstripping. The favorite application of this material is on windows, doors, or even large ship containers as seal strips. EPDM rubber promises excellent durability in any outdoor situation. Some weather-resistant mediums include outdoor aging, ozone, sunshine, moisture, pollutants, etc.

Durability

Other than the weather resistance, EPDM seals and gaskets can also tolerate extreme circumstances such as high heat. EPDM rubber gaskets provide excellent abrasion and tear resistance for various machine components. The stability and durability of this material are outstanding. Some rubber seal strips and gaskets have a lifespan of more than one hundred years based on ordinary uses. In comparison to other rubbers or plastics, EPDM rubbers are a better option. It enables any organization to spend less on changeable parts.

Heat-resistance

This kind of EPDM rubber is different from typical EPDM rubber. It can resist the weather. It can withstand temperatures as high as 150ᵒC and as low as -50ᵒC. As a result, machine components assembled with EPDM rubber can endure the specified range of temperatures. For temperature, other materials, such as silicon, can withstand higher temperatures. But EPDM seals are still the best option when stability and heat are issues.

Acid Resistance

EPDM rubber is an exceptionally durable material, as we have mentioned already. It is even stable when reacting with corrosive substances. Drain hoses assembled with EPDM strips are more protective against extremely acidic situations. A common feature of the material is its intermittent resistance to caustic elements. Therefore, EPDM rubber is trendy for applications where durability over acid is a concern.

Harmless and Fewer Odors

EPDM rubber is a synthetic organic rubber substance with lower toxicity than other materials. This characteristic makes EPDM rubber a secure choice when rubber contact is a concern. This material also does not generate any strong odor when formulated. Thanks to these qualities, the EPDM rubber is ideal for sealing panels, windows, and other applications that may contact the human body.

Electric Insulator

Is EPDM a good insulator? Yes, EPDM rubber is an excellent electric insulator. These materials are trendy in most electrical components. EPDM wire is the best example of those EPDM electrical products ideal for electrical insulation. It can also withstand high voltage without losing its properties while assisting with safety measures.

Manufacturing Flexibility

EPDM is one of the world’s most versatile materials for production. Manufacturing EPDM rubber is relatively easy to obtain all the advantages above. As a result, various manufacturing procedures are widely popular in the production of EPDM. The most common processes include custom molding, extruding, sheets, and die cutting. Multiple densities of EPDM rubber are also widely popular. These include spongy products and different-sized and shaped tubes that can be bent and folded.

EPDM Rubber Applications

We have already mentioned that EPDM rubber is one of the most popular rubber polymers used in various applications. We have also highlighted that EPDM seals can withstand high loads and unfavorable temperatures. These properties make this material suitable for many outdoor applications. Next, we will discuss the most common industries employing EPDM rubber.

HVAC Applications (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)

EPDM is the most popular material for HVAC applications, i.e., heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Why is this material so prevalent in these industries? EPDM has excellent heat, temperature, light, and weather resisting capabilities. In household uses, all houses and apartments require high-quality EPDM seal strips for air conditioning. EPDM has a great demand for various HVAC applications of different temperatures for industrial uses.

On the other hand, EPDM seals are famous in vibration-damping applications. It is primarily for fans and motors that would otherwise be noisy. Drain tubes and compressor grommets are two famous EPDM strip and gasket applications.

Automotive

EPDM also enjoys an increasing demand in the automotive industry. EPDM sealing strip provides heat, temperature, moisture resisting, and noise reduction properties. All these properties are crucial concerns in every automotive sector. In addition to being waterproof and UV-resistant, EPDM forms quick bonds with metals. Because of this property, EPDM has a vast scope in the automotive industry. Such as for weatherstripping and vibration-damping applications. This unique property gives EPDM a broader application in the automotive industry, especially when weatherproofing and vibration damping become concerns.

Industrial Seals and Gaskets

Machine parts with EPDM rubber gaskets guarantee long-lasting stability. It is resistant to environmental properties such as moisture, UV light, and ozone. So, most industries choose this material for seals and gaskets destined for various machinery. These seal strips and rubber gaskets can ensure elasticity for continuous heating and cooling. EPDM seals have excellent performance in resisting chemicals, such as detergents, diluted acids, NaOH solutions, etc.

Construction

Roofing is a primary application in all construction sites. EPDM is also popular in these sectors. Because it can provide excellent insulating and weatherproofing features. Besides, EPDM rubber is used as a sealant for expansion joints, tank liners, etc.

Is EPDM Flammable?

Some EPDM rubber is specially designed for fire protection. BS EN 45545-2:2013 + A1:2015 and EN ISO 9239-1 state that EPDM is a flame-retardant halogen-free synthetic elastomer. EPDM’s most common fire protection applications are railway, floor coverings, and other finished products. EPDM gives off low smoke emissions and helps to minimize flame spreading.

Summary

EPDM, or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monometer, is a synthetic rubber material. It has excellent heat, temperature, moisture, light, and sound resistance features. Due to these properties of EPDM, it has become the most demanded material in every manufacturing sector. Such as automotive, HVAC, or construction.

okin Rubber Company produces high-quality EPDM seal strips suitable for all these applications. Besides, this company has been manufacturing these products for decades. Their products are also popular in all the countries in the world. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in EPDM products. We have a talented team of customer consultancy. Any type of query is welcome to our desk.

“EPDM vs neoprene: What are the differences?” is a trendy topic that most rubber seal buyers frequently ask. EPDM and Neoprene rubbers are both very popular in most industries worldwide. In this case, they have differences based on various factors that make them suitable for specific applications. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the fundamental differences between EPDM and Neoprene to make the choices easier for rubber seal buyers.

“EPDM vs neoprene: Which material should you choose? ” highlights the fundamentals of these two materials (EPDM vs neoprene). Later, it will also discuss those factors that divide these materials’ application. So, take time and read the following sections, and we hope you will understand EPDM vs Neoprene better than before.

Introduction to EPDM vs Neoprene Rubber

EPDM and neoprene are prevalent rubber materials that you may find nearby. These two materials feature excellent sealing properties and good resistance to heat, weather, ozone, contaminants, etc. Before we jump into the details of the differences, let’s first glance at the fundamentals.

What is Neoprene Rubber?

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber developed in 1930. It comes from the polymerization of chloroprene. Hence, neoprene has another name, polychloroprene. This material is highly elastic and can withstand a load of up to 3000 PSI. Excellent chemical stability and flexibility are provided by neoprene in a variety of applications.

Application

Neoprene is prevalent in many industries, including medical, buildings, construction, automotive, electrical appliances, etc. PPE or personal protective equipment, automotive transmission belts, vehicle vibration mounts, power transfer belts, installation sealing strips, noise reduction seals, etc., are the best examples of neoprene applications.

Pros:

Excellent for roofing systems.

• Neoprene is non-toxic and fire-retardant.
• Neoprene can gain its original shape from up to 1000% of the elongation.
• It is an eco-friendly material.

• It is famous for its excellent load absorption and cushioning capabilities.
• The best benefit of neoprene is its resistance to oils and chemicals. Neoprene survives easily with oils, acids, alkalis, and others.
• Neoprene is also resistant to weather and ozone.

Cons:

• Compared to EPDM, neoprene has fewer capabilities over heat resisting. It can withstand up to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, EPDM can resist up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Neoprene is not compatible with ketone hydrocarbons.
• Neoprene is more expensive than EPDM.

What is EPDM Rubber?

EPDM is also known as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. It is also a synthetic rubber that is highly flexible, durable, and resistant to weather, heat, ozone, etc. The origin of EPDM rubber was from an experiment in 1960 that was aimed at creating a flexible and robust material that could resist various environmental factors. The composition contains:

• A small non-conjugated diene monomer.
• 3% to 9% of the overall chemical composition.
• We are providing a cross-linking site for vulcanization.

Besides, the ethylene content in the chemical composition is between 45% and 75%, containing more filler-loading possibilities.

Application

EPDM is popular in automotive parts, construction, and HVAC applications. EPDM seal strips for cabinet doors and windows, EPDM seals for car windows, and EPDM seals for marine applications are famous examples of EPDM rubbers. If you are interested in learning more about the application of EPDM, read our article “EPDM: Everything you should know.”

Pros:

• EPDM can recover its original size from up to 600% of elongation.

• It is ideal for high-temperature applications.
• It can resist any weather, sunlight, contaminants, ozone, etc.
• EPDM is also famous for its excellent noise-reduction capabilities.
• It is an incredible electric insulator.
• Cheaper than neoprene.

Cons:

• EPDM swells in contact with oils or acids.

The Difference Between EPDM and Neoprene

Before making a detailed comparison, let’s check out the following table. We hope this table will help you quickly understand the fundamental differences between the materials (EPDM vs Neoprene).

Contents	EPDM Rubber	Neoprene Rubber
Appearance	Both EPDM and Neoprene have similar outfits.
Resistance Property	EPDM is the best option for weather protection.	Neoprene is the best option for chemical safety. It is excellent not only for chemicals but also for other hydrocarbons.
Temperature Limits	Can withstand temperatures as low as -50ᵒC and as high as 150ᵒC.	Neoprene has a lower temperature than EPDM, which is between -50ᵒC to 120ᵒC.
Durability	EPDM and Neoprene rubbers are incredibly durable, making them the most attractive material.
Fire Protection Property	According to the standard FMVSS302, both rubbers (EPDM vs Neoprene) are flame retardant.
Noise and Vibration Resistance	EPDM and neoprene offer good noise absorption, reducing the intensity of noise and vibrations for the user.
Cost	Comparatively cost-effective option.	Comparatively more expensive than EPDM.
Strength	Both rubbers are robust elastomers with good tear and abrasion resistance properties.
Compression Capability	Both rubbers (EPDM vs Neoprene) can withstand considerable pressure. This property lets them keep their original shape even after compression and elongation.

According to the above table, we have seen that both EPDM and Neoprene rubber share similar properties, but some unique properties accelerate the product’s viability. Those special properties make them appropriate for different applications. However, we have stated four significant factors that differentiate between EPDM and Neoprene in the following.

Physical Properties

EPDM rubber came from an experiment. The aim was to create a flexible and robust material that could resist various environmental factors. EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. On the other hand, neoprene came from chlorine polymerization or chloroprene.

EPDM is suitable for outdoor applications, such as weatherstripping for doors and windows. This material resists weather, excessive heat, noise, or contaminants. Besides, EPDM also has excellent resistance to ozone and sunlight. As mentioned, EPDM hardly survives in oils and solvents. On the other hand, neoprene is a perfect choice for resisting oils and solvents. Besides, neoprene is also the best option for fighting acids and chemicals.

However, both materials can withstand high loads ranging from 500 to 3000 PSI or 4Mpa to 30 Mpa, resulting in high tensile stress. Both rubbers (EPDM vs Neoprene) are robust elastomers with good tear and abrasion resistance properties. Above all, it is essential to note that EPDM and neoprene look alike in their outfits. Due to this, people often need help choosing the perfect material for their projects.

Temperature Limits

Both EPDM and neoprene rubber compounds are incredibly resistant to heat and cold. However, EPDM offers better performance than neoprene in this case. Typically, EPDM can withstand freezing temperatures as low as -50ᵒC and hot temperatures as high as 150ᵒC. On the other hand, neoprene can withstand a lower temperature band than EPDM, ranging from -60ᵒC to 120ᵒC.

Both EPDM and neoprene are perfect fire retardants and provide excellent fire-extinguishing properties. According to the standard FMVSS302 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302), EPDM and neoprene seal strips are ideal for all automotive vehicle parts because of their burn resistance capabilities.

Durability and Stability

The most critical factor every buyer checks when selecting a perfect rubber for the target application is the durability and toughness of the product. In this case, EPDM and neoprene are ideal for any application where the rubber is necessary. However, EPDM is the most durable material made of artificial technology.

On the other hand, neoprene is also famous for its durability. Neoprene’s elastic and abrasion-resistant properties make it stable and durable. Above all, neoprene is also a good choice for weather protection.

Price

Typically, neoprenes are more expensive than EPDM rubber. EPDM is a versatile rubber that is a popular and cost-effective solution for all systems. You should consider the performance of the material rather than the price. However, there are some cases where both EPDM and neoprene work perfectly. In those cases, you can go for the cost-effective solution.

Is EPDM Better Than Neoprene?

It is one of the most common questions we frequently ask. However, the answer to this question is always the same for us. All materials (EPDM vs neoprene) are better if you determine the specific applications. The necessity of these two rubber materials depends on the use or application of the material.

Neoprene has some better attributes than EPDM rubber and is ideal for resisting oils, chemicals, acids, or other hydrocarbons. On the other hand, EPDM is the best option for fighting UV lights, extreme weather, outdoor noise, and ozone. Therefore, you should first know the application, and then you can decide which material would be the best option for your project.

We have mentioned above that both rubbers (EPDM vs Neoprene) have a similar outfit. These materials provide excellent age resistance and seal against moisture, liquids, outdoor contaminants, insects, etc. According to the standard FMVSS302, both rubbers (EPDM vs Neoprene) are flame retardant.

Final Thought

While EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber possessing excellent durability, neoprene is a product from the polymerization of chlorine. Both materials are superior and resistant to moisture, liquids, and contaminants. In this case, EPDM is the best option for weather resistance, and on the other hand, neoprene would be the best choice for chemical resistance.

From the above discussion, we have got the fundamental properties of these two materials (EPDM vs Neoprene) and highlighted the differences also. We hope this information will help you choose the best material for your application. However, don’t hesitate to contact us if you require more details regarding Neoprene vs EPDM rubber seal strips. We are one of the leading rubber manufacturers in the world. We have all the popular materials for rubber products. Besides, we keep the best customer service team to make communication between the customers and experts easier.

Weather stripping for doors has always been essential to every house or building, even small cabinets of different applications. Door seal strips or weather stripping for doors are made of synthetic rubber or plastics. And they primarily fill the gap between the door jambs. As a result, door seal strips keep the indoor environment temperature constant, resulting in a 15% cost-effective solution.

We brought this article to explain different weather stripping types for doors popular in most buildings and apartments. “Door Seal Strip: DIY Installation Guide” will help you understand installation tricks of door seal strips in your house. Each type of weather strip for doors below describes the unique applications. Besides it will also guide you directly to the manufacturer’s specific product page.

Weather Stripping for Doors: You Should Know

As mentioned, the door seal strip’s primary goal is to prevent air leaks from indoor and outdoor environments. Doors and windows are the primary barriers between these two environments. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the gaps or holes in these barriers that might create air-leaking.

Before we jump into the details of each type of weather stripping for doors, we should first understand where to install these door seal strips. You can install weather stripping in four locations of the door, depending on the type and sealing effects.

1. Upper corners: In most doors, upper, left, and right jambs combine, resulting in easy sealing. Some entries may not have such frames, so you should consider the upper corner of the door separately.
2. Between the doors or along with the jambs: These types of doors are popular for large entries. They are also popular as French doors. French doors usually are two-sided, and in between, there’s a possible gap that you should seal.
3. Hinge corners: The door and hinges are the crucial places you should consider. Loose fitting or a broken hinge might cause unwanted leaking.
4. Door bottom: The door bottom is between the bottom side of the door and the floor. It is a specific position where the air leaks simultaneously.

Types of Weather Stripping for Doors

You must choose the best option to get the best result from door seal strips. Don’t worry! We know that it is not easy to find the ideal one from a wide selection of materials and types on the market. In this article, we will walk you through different types of door seal strips for other applications and help you choose the necessary weatherstripping in a breeze. Read on to learn more information.

Door Seal Strip for Typical Doors

Typical doors include our everyday houses, apartments, offices, shopping malls, etc.; sealing them is easy. Here are six main door seal strip types based on positions and materials. You can get six main door seal strip types based on the positions and material types.

Door Seal Weather Stripping With Fiberglass Mesh Tape

• Plain felt weather stripping for doors: Felt door seal strips are the most popular weather stripping for doors. The primary materials of these types of door jamb weatherstrip are cotton, polyester, and wool.
• V-strip: These door seal strips are also popular as tension strips. These weather-stripping doors are easy to install. All you need to do is to cut the specific length. The top and two horizontal sides of the door require v-strips. In some cases, the door bottom may also need a v-strip.
• Metal weather stripping for doors: Metal weather stripping ensures longer life than typical synthetic rubber or plastic door seal strips. These types of door seal strips are suitable for highly harsh environments. Besides, you can opt for various metal types, such as zinc, aluminum, or steel.
• Tubular rubber or vinyl door seal strips: Tubular door seal strips are better than felt weather stripping. If you can install it properly, this weather stripping for doors will last over five years.
• Door sweeps: These weather strippings are suitable for filling the gap between the door bottom and the floor. Door sweeps are incredibly useful in preventing contaminants, unwanted airflow, or insects from entering.
• EPDM Rubber or closed cell foam tape weather stripping for doors: EPDM is a long-lasting material, and the door weather seals of this material are the best for the safety and security of the door. Besides, these weather stripping types are suitable for all kinds of doors and windows.

Electric Cabinet Door Seal Strips

Window&door rubber sealing strips-making machine for electric cabinet

Electric cabinets are found in every house, building, apartment, shopping mall, factory, and restaurant. These cabinets come as small or large, depending on the complexity of all the breakers and electrical connections for the whole building. It is essential for every building and apartment as it is the heart of the power supply of the building.

The electric cabinets also require sealing to protect against humidity, dust, and insects from entering. On the other hand, EPDM is the favored material used to manufacture electric cabinet door seal strips, which is an excellent electrical insulator. Besides, these weather-stripping doors feature good anti-friction, anti-aging, and anti-corrosion effects.

Seal strips for cabinet doors are suitable for different applications, such as cross-connection cabinets, wiring cabinets, control cabinets, lighting cabinets, battery cabinets, and protection cabinets. Besides, electric cabinet weather stripping for doors is also famous in windows, containers, cars, tractors, and other automobiles.

Dust Seal Strips for Cabinet Doors

Vulcanized EPDM dust seal strips for cabinet door

Vulcanized weather stripping for doors is weather and corrosion resistant. PVC generally extrudes this weather stripping for doors, updated PVC, EPDM, TPE, and silicone. Except for electric cabinet doors, these door seal strips are suitable for steel, aluminum, windows, wooded, automobile, and even garage doors. The primary goal of this type of door seal strip is to prevent dust, insects, water, and even noise from entering the cabinet.

Cabinet door seal strips are an excellent choice for any cabinet type. The kitchen cabinets are the best examples of the door rubber seal application. As we all know, excessive humidity will gradually make the kitchen room oily and sticky. In this situation, the equipment and tools used for cooking also become dirty and moist. Cabinets with door seal strips are an excellent option for keeping a kitchen room clean and hygienic.

On the other hand, the dust control room in most factories requires cabinet door seal strips. Besides, other applications such as boats, marine, and ships require high-quality vulcanized weather stripping for doors to prevent mostly water from coming inside.

Rubber Door Seal Strips for The Shower Door

Shower Rubber Seal Strip, Rubber Shower Door Seal

The shape of shower door seal strips varies based on the different types of shower rooms. The materials used for these door rubber seals are rubber, polycarbonate, or vinyl. Pre-taped and push-on are the most common door seal strip types for shower doors. Some weather stripping doors have a bulb, flat or star-shaped structure on top of the door weather seals to fit the door track. However, T-top door seal strips are suitable for snapping on the door sliding rail.

The shower door’s rubber seal strips provide good shockproof, heat, and sound insulation qualities. Rubber shower door seals’ best qualities are high flexibility and compression, aging resistance, chemical resistance, and ozone resistance. This type of weather stripping for doors can withstand up to 10MPa of tensile pressure. With a wide operating temperature range, the lowest temperature is up to -45 °C, and the highest is up to 160 °C.

Types of Door Bottom Seal Strips

Door seal strips that cover the openings at the bottom part of the door are popular as a door bottom seal. They are suitable for various applications to block unnecessary door bottom openings. The door installation process usually keeps a little gap at the bottom to let the door swing correctly. In this case, we can use door bottom seal strips to prevent the openings and ensure the door is hanging perfectly. There are five significant types of door bottom seal strips:

1. Brush door sweep: A nylon brush attached to an aluminum plate sweeps and cleans the dust beneath the door.
2. Flat door sweep: This door bottom seal has a rubber base instead of a nylon brush. The performance of this type of door bottom seal is excellent. It prevents dust and insects from coming inside and tightly prevents airflow.
3. Adhesive door seal: This type of door bottom seal doesn’t have an aluminum plate but has self-adhesive features. You can directly put this weather stripping for doors at the bottom of your door.
4. Double draft seals: This door sweep has a double draft on both sides of the door. These door sweeps are handy because they don’t need adhesives, or an aluminum plate attached to the door.
5. Door seal strips: This seal strip type is as popular as a v-strip at the door bottom.

Conclusion

Weather stripping for doors has recently gained popularity in every country, especially in winter. It grants you a closed door free from air leaks. Depending on various architectural changes in the buildings, the type and material of the door rubber seal also change. As a result, many types of door seal strips are found in the market.

How do you get the most suitable door seal strip from a broad selection on the market? In this case, we created this article to introduce some of the most popular door seal types you might notice in the market to give you a general idea of what type of weatherstripping for doors is suitable for your house. Still, if you can’t find the desired type or feel confused about making the right decision, please get in touch with us.

Product quality is the key to every manufacturer’s competitive market success. Therefore, each manufacturer focuses on quality product manufacturing and services. Those manufacturers who fail to realize the importance of the aspect gets lost on the road to success. Quality is one of the most essential characteristics for a brand to dominate the market, gaining customers’ trust and making the brand more dependable than competitors. Therefore, maintaining quality standards for physical products and after-sale services is the most crucial factor for every manufacturer. In this case, PPAP is one of the essential product quality standards in most manufacturing industries.

This article will introduce the production part approval process or PPAP. We will also highlight the importance of PPAP over the product’s performance in the market. It will also highlight the five PPAP levels, which play a significant role in manufacturing. At the end of this article, we will discuss some of the essential elements of PPAP and the companies that operate the PPAP standards.

What is The Production Part Approval Process or PPAP?

As the section title implies, PPAP stands for production part approval process, a typical manufacturing acronym. PPAP is the key to consistent parts and component manufacturing in automotive industries. It comprises 18 elements. So this comprehensive process ensures the high-quality production of parts and equipment expected by the consumers.

The origin of the PPAP standard is the aerospace and automotive industry. Especially in AIAG or Automotive Industry Action Group. Later, this standard gained popularity in all other manufacturing plants to improve quality production. PPAP supports all the critical activities in manufacturing engineering and eases collaborations between suppliers and buyers. This process is also a part of APQP. APQP stands for advanced product quality planning.

If any entrepreneur initializes any supply chains related to the automotive field, it requires conducting PPAP. Other than automotive supply chains, other industries also practice PPAP to ensure engineering designs and specifications. In this case, the responsible companies, FCA US, Ford Motors, and General Motors, listed PPAP as the customer-specific need or CSR.

Importance of PPAP

PPAP is crucial. It ensures the manufactured part required for an automotive or piece of machinery specification is correct as expected. It provides a simple guideline that lets the suppliers improve communication. Each production run in a factory enables the quality output and assurance of the product need through PPAP. As a result, it reduces the risks and improves the implementation of the correct action. PPAP makes the manufacturing process smoother. However, the following three points are the primary purpose of the PPAP.

• To ensure that a supplier maintains the customer’s product quality requirements
• Proving that the manufacturer or supplier has fulfilled all the product specifications and engineering drawing requirements
• To verify the approved manufacturing process

What Are The Five Levels of PPAP?

The five levels of PPAP are as famous as five part submission levels. These five-part submission levels are crucial for the PPAP process, and a customer should get these documents from a seller. In this case, when a customer requires the PPAP, they will follow this part submission level.

According to the AIAG or Automotive Industry Action Group, a seller must consider a manufactured piece’s essential PPAP elements. However, submitting the necessary details depends on the part and the buy order requirements. These five PPAP levels say the documents a supplier should hand over to the customer.

1. PSW or the part submission warrant (Level 1)
2. Documents with product samples and some limited supporting data (Level 2)
3. Product sample with completed supporting data (Level 3)
4. Customer’s other products need (Level 4)
5. PSW with complete support data at the manufacturer’s location. (Level 5)

PSW or part submission warrant is part of the PPAP process. It usually indicates the supplier’s evidence that they can meet the customer’s demands. These documents include the delivery date, production rate, and product quality. A supplier must ensure all these application elements. On the other hand, PSW quality controls provide the proper testing of the products.

According to the above five levels of PPAP, it is essential to note that these levels are at the buyer’s discretion. In this case, it needs to be more specific in which situation requires which PPAP level. Therefore, every supplier must keep all these details from the manufacturers.

Elements of Product Part Approval Process in Manufacturing

AIAG founded the PPAP checklist and released version 4 recently. According to the latest PPAP manual version, there are 18 primary documents required for manufacturing automotive parts. In this section, we will shortly introduce these 18 elements to you.

1. Design records include customers’ and suppliers’ drawings, material composition, and purchase orders.
2. Documents for engineering changes include the change needs details from the customer and ECN or engineering change notice from the engineering department.
3. Evidence of engineering approval includes the sample testing reports approved by the engineering department.
4. Design FMEA: DFMEA or Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis include failure modes and their effects on the part.
5. Process flow diagrams describe the entire process of manufacturing and assembly.
6. Process FMEA: PFMEA or Process failure mode and effects analysis includes all the possible process quality failure and their effects on the final products.
7. The control plan is the next step for PFMEA.
8. MSA or Measure System analysis includes gauge repeatability & Reproducibility (GR&R).
9. The dimensional analysis represents the data, including the tolerance and other factors.
10. Material performance test results include a Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R).
11. Initial process studies include Statistical Process Control (SPC).
12. Documentation for Qualified laboratory tests includes the certificates approved by any quality testing lab.
13. AAR or appearance approval report includes the components affecting the test part’s appearance.
14. Sample product.
15. Expert sample: This sample usually comes from the final testing and the manufacturers’ engineering department approvals.
16. Checking aids include tools to inspect, test, or measure parts throughout the assembly process.
17. Customer specific requirements approval reports.
18. PSW or part submission warrant, including the five submission levels.

PPAP vs APQP

Let us first consider the abbreviation of both terms. PPAP stands for Production Part Approval Process, and on the other hand, and APQP stands for Advanced Production Quality Planning. PPAP deals with the product design requirements and customer-requested design, process, and design FMEAA, process flow chart, control plan, etc.

On the other hand, APQP deals with the overall production and process development. APQP has five gates, including AIAG APQP requirements. Each gate defines the different documents and requirements. The five phases of APQP are:

1. Plan and program definition
2. Verification of product design and development
3. Process design and development verification
4. Product validation and feedback
5. Launch, assessment, and correction

It is important to note that the production part approval process results from APQP. During the APQP processes, it will further check the PPAP documents. The APQP phase will also deal with technical review and tooling approval for off-tooling parts.

Who is Responsible for PPAP, and When is it Necessary?

Suppliers or manufacturers are responsible for PPAP elements. They prepare all the necessary PPAP documents for each type of product. The manufacturers usually operate the process closely with the OEM’s quality management team.

A production part approval process is necessary for new part production, product dimensional changes or corrections, process changes or corrections, and inactive tooling for over a year. In this case, product change may include the design, material composition, supply, and function. On the other hand, process change may consist of a method, tools, location, and inspection criteria.

What is AIAG, and What Does AIAG Do?

AIAG, or Automotive Industry Action Group, is a non-profit trade association where the members are most automotive manufacturers, suppliers of all sizes, automakers, etc. Specifically, AIAG members include Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Caterpillar, and more than 800 OEMs. However, PPAP is one of the most valuable standards that originated from AIAG.

The primary role of AIAG is to provide an open and neutral forum to facilitate manufacturing actions and joint issues. They aim to develop business process standards and guidelines. They educate and train people through assessments, events, and newsletters to create a more efficient and responsible supply chain.

Conclusion

PPAP is necessary not only for the quality of the production process but also for maintaining a high-quality supply. The production part approval process is the key to most automotive industries. Seal strip manufacturing also requires PPAP, as the seal strip type includes automotive parts. There are five levels of PPAP where PSW or part submission warrant is the essential element.

The most recent PPAP handbook also states that 18 key documents are necessary to produce automobile parts. These components must be made available to customers by suppliers or manufacturers. PPAP is essential for new part production, product dimensional changes or corrections, process changes or corrections, and inactive tooling for more than one year. The production part approval process, or PPAP, ensures that every production stage is well-planned and fully considered before and during manufacturing. It can reduce unnecessary waste and errors.