Rubber Products Archives | Page 2 of 2

Rubber Seals in the Automotive Industry

Posted on March 23, 2021September 1, 2021 by Caserta Marketing Team

The automotive industry relies on an expansive range of parts and components to build the critical systems and support infrastructure that come together to make a completed automobile. These integrated systems must reliably withstand the effects of motion and vibration from driving surfaces, the engine, and other factors. Rubber seals and gaskets provide cushioning and firm seals to prevent liquids and gases from leaking. Rubber sealing solutions are found throughout vehicle systems, from the engine and transmission to the doors and windows.

Automotive rubber seals must be tear-resistant, non-flammable, flexible, durable, and able to stand up to high speeds, extreme temperatures, and intense pressure. Automotive rubber components minimize rotational or translational movements between two joined parts to prevent fluids from leaking out or gases from seeping into the passenger cabin. Using high-quality seals ensures each part operates efficiently and independently.

Different Types of Automotive Seals

Automotive gasket manufacturers produce several types of rubber seals, including:

Rubber washers. These flat rubber rings have an open center that allows fluid to pass through the connected parts. They provide a tight, non-abrasive seal in pipe and hose fittings to protects against leaks, vibration, and electrical charges.
Rubber gaskets. Gaskets are cut into various shapes and sizes from large sheets of rubber, which makes them highly customizable to meet the needs of specific fittings. They are widely used in the automotive industry to prevent leakage between connected parts due to their durability, color stability, temperature resistance, and general affordability.
Rubber bushings. Bushings absorb shock, minimize vibration, resist abrasion, and minimize or eliminate the need for lubrication between components. They are flexible and easy to use for parts like gear sticks, internal combustion, and suspension systems.
Silicone rubber tubing. Silicone tubing is a highly versatile product that resists frequent or continuous exposure to weather, UV radiation, heat, and ozone. This type of tubing sees extensive use in the automotive industry as an insulator for electrical cables and wires.

Applications of Rubber Seals in the Automotive Industry

Automotive rubber products play an important role in many applications in the automotive industry. Their primary uses in mechanical equipment include filling gaps between components, minimizing damage from vibration, preventing the leakage of liquids or gases, or hindering contamination from moisture or dirt.

However, various applications require different types of protection. Now that we’ve identified the differences between the various types of automotive rubber solutions, let’s look at some applications that use them:

Cooling system gaskets. These gaskets seal components within the system to prevent the coolant from leaking out.
Differential seals and gaskets. Highly flexible differential seals and gaskets are attached to the transmission axle to protect it from dirt, grime, and other contaminants that could damage the transmission.
Electrical junction boxes/fuse boxes. Electrical seals stop moisture and dirt from getting into the electrical system where they could cause sparks, fires, shorts, or other malfunctions.
Engine seals and gaskets. These seals and gaskets absorb excess heat and compression while ensuring that oil, fluids, or coolant don’t leak into or out of the engine compartment.
Fuel supply gaskets. Placed in between the fuel pump mounting surface and the fuel pump space, fuel supply gaskets maintain pressure within the engine compartment.
Transmission seals. Transmission seals and gaskets are used in internal and external transmission components to create pressure-tight connections in accumulators, servos, clutch packs, and transmission axle cases.
Windshields. The seals and gaskets used around windshields are an important factor in safety and comfort, maintaining air quality, cushioning the windshield against flexing movements, and protecting the occupants from wind, water, and noise.

Partnering With Caserta

Thomas A. Caserta is a premier global supplier of high-quality rubber seals to a diverse range of demanding industries. For decades, our customers have depended on our ability to design and supply prototypes or production parts with fast turnarounds, regardless of project size. Our products come in a variety of rubber materials, such as EPDM, SBR, nitrile, neoprene, silicone, and Viton. We offer a broad portfolio of rubber seals for the highly competitive automotive industry, including:

Please contact us to see how our automotive rubber solutions can benefit your operation.

How to Design the Right Gasket

Posted on July 8, 2020April 1, 2022 by Caserta Marketing Team

Gaskets are mechanical seals used to fill the gap between two mated components. When designed, constructed, and installed correctly, they prevent process fluids from escaping and contaminants from entering sensitive equipment. As these sealing materials play a critical role in many fluid handling and processing operations, industry professionals follow strict guidelines dictating how to design, construct, and install them properly.

In the following article, we cover some of the considerations regarding the design of rubber gasket seals.

Key Design Considerations for Gaskets

The installation of the wrong gasket can result in leaks, damage, and other issues in a fluid system. It can also cause the premature wear and failure of the gasket, which translates to frequent investment in gasket repair and replacement operations. With these consequences in mind, it is important to use the right gasket for the given application. Below we outline some of the factors to consider when designing a gasket to ensure it functions as intended.

Construction Material

The construction material chosen largely determines how the gasket will perform. As such, it is essential to consider what qualities are expected of the finished gasket and what materials fit these requirements. When vetting potential material options, some of the properties to keep in mind include:

Density: the material’s mass per volume (lbs./ft.³)
Hardness: the material’s ability to resist plastic deformation resulting from indentation, penetration, and other mechanical forces
Elasticity: the material’s ability to return to its shape and size after experiencing deformative forces

These properties are critical to the sealing performance of the gasket. However, the levels required depend on the system in which the gasket will be installed. For example, sponge rubber (both open-cell and closed-cell) generally exhibits lower density and better elasticity than solid rubber, which makes it suitable for some—but not all—applications. It may be helpful to acquire samples of materials to determine which one best fits a given system.

Some of the most common materials used in the manufacture of gaskets are:

Silicone: Silicone is a highly versatile and resilient material that is available in solid, foam, and sponge variations. It does not react with or deteriorate when exposed to many chemical substances. It is often used for gaskets due to its ability to form a tight seal, remain flexible in high or low temperatures, and resist water, shrinking, and UV and ozone damage.
Neoprene: Neoprene is a synthetic rubber compound that exhibits good durability, resisting damage and degradation stemming from exposure to UV radiation, ozone, chemical and corrosive compounds, and oils and other petroleum-based products. It also remains flexible in temperatures as high as 120° C and as low as -40° C.
Nitrile: Nitrile is a synthetic rubber that finds use in a wide range of applications. However, it is particularly suitable for environments exposed to grease, oil, and water.

Gasket Design

Download Infographic

The design of a gasket depends on the system in which it will be installed. Tailoring the gasket to fit snugly between the mated components is essential; otherwise, it will not function as intended. The design elements to consider include:

Shape: the geometric form of the gasket (from the face)
Cross-section: the geometric form of the gasket (from the profile)
Thickness: the distance between the gasket’s faces

Request Your Custom Gaskets Today

Application Environment

The operating and environmental conditions to which the gasket will be subjected affect what construction materials and gasket designs are appropriate. When determining the above two factors, it is critical to keep in mind the following:

What temperature ranges are expected?
What operating pressures ranges are expected?
What chemicals will the gasket be exposed to during operations and maintenance services?

The above list of questions is not all-inclusive. There are many other operating and environmental factors that can affect a gasket’s performance. Partnering with an experienced and knowledgeable gasket supplier can help determine which gasket materials and designs are suitable for a particular application.

Get Your Custom Made Gaskets From the Experts at Thomas A. Caserta

At Thomas A. Caserta, we’ve provided precision engineered rubber products—including gaskets—for over 70 years. Equipped with extensive industry experience and quality materials, our team has the knowledge, skills, and tools to design and manufacture custom rubber gaskets for any industrial application. To learn more about our gasket making capabilities or partner with us for your molded gasket needs, request a quote today.

Tubing in the Medical Industry

Posted on July 8, 2020April 1, 2022 by Caserta Marketing Team

Manufacturers specializing in medical grade tubing must meet strict regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products. Medical rubber and silicone tubing can be found in an array of medical devices, from respiratory equipment and IVs to laboratory equipment.

A curing process removes potentially harmful plasticizers from silicone, making it an ideal material for medical applications. Medical grade silicone tubing is flexible, easily sterilized, and biocompatible.

Browse Our Catalog

Advantages

When manufactured with the proper expertise, medical grade rubber and silicone tubing has many benefits, such as:

Available in different grade options: Grades of silicone tubing include FDA Grade, Class VI Grade, and Platinum Cure Grade. These options allow for greater flexibility when choosing an appropriate product—Platinum Cure Grade tubing, for example, is particularly strong and commonly utilized in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
Biocompatible: Many types of medical equipment must be placed directly into a patient’s body, meaning that it is vital for the equipment to be biocompatible to reduce the risk of complications. Since approximately three million people in the U.S. are allergic to natural rubber latex, silicone is an excellent synthetic alternative.
Clear: Material clarity makes it easier for medical professionals to monitor the flow of fluid when the medical tubing is used in applications such as IVs and blood drainage. Silicone has a high level of natural transparency, although it can also be customized with various pigments if desired.
Chemically inert, odorless, and tasteless: These properties mean that medical grade rubber and silicone tubing will not interact with the materials it touches, thus greatly improving its versatility. It is ideal for the administration of any type of medication, oxygen, or food.
Compatible with multiple sterilization processes: The medical industry requires frequent sterilization to eliminate contamination and ensure patient safety. Rubber tubing holds up to multiple sterilization processes, including steam autoclaving and dry heat.
Extreme temperature resistance: Rubber’s ability to withstand immense heat makes it ideal for use in critical medical equipment, as medical professionals can easily sterilize and disinfect it with heat-based processes. In fact, silicone tubing can resist temperatures of up to 440° F.

In addition to the benefits listed above, silicone elastomers have an incredibly advantageous trait: their silicone-oxygen bond gives them a molecular stability that creates strong biodurability. This means that silicone tubing is particularly well suited for applications that must have consistent contact with skin or bodily fluids, such as catheter tubing. Silicone also remains flexible without the use of additives, another property that improves its biocompatibility.

Applications of Hoses and Tubes

Medical grade silicone and rubber tubing is incredibly versatile. Some common applications include:

Anesthesiology and respiratory equipment
Biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment and processing
Cell and tissue culture systems
Dialysis
IVs and catheters
Management and drainage of blood and fluids
Oxygen transfer
Peristaltic pumps
Surgical drains

As there is such a wide array of possible uses for medical tubing, it is important to account for the desired properties of the tubing to select the most appropriate option. For example, tubing intended for internal human contact may need to be flexible, while tubing intended for laboratory equipment may need to be more rigid. The proper medical grade silicone tubing supplier will be able to provide tubing in a variety of sizes, styles, and lengths to ensure that all requirements are met.

Work With the Trusted Tubing Manufacturers at Thomas A. Caserta

Medical rubber tubing is a vital component in many critical, life-saving devices. At Thomas A. Caserta, Inc., we understand the importance of this equipment, and we create each part with expertise, precision, and a strong knowledge of the medical industry. For over 70 years, our clients have trusted us to provide the highest quality medical grade tubing. Our offerings include medical grade silicone tubing and rubber tubing and cords.

Rubber Products in the Aerospace Industry

Posted on June 28, 2019April 1, 2022 by Caserta Marketing Team

The aerospace and aviation industry is one of the fastest growing industries on a global scale, affecting millions of people on a daily basis.

Reliable aircraft demands top tier components. These parts must have properties of high performance and endurance, since they will be exposed to a range of extreme weather conditions, such as excessively hot or cold temperatures, and different types of oils and gases. It is crucial that jets, commercial planes, and other aircraft can protect both passengers and cargo from the elements.

Many aerospace and aviation components are now being sourced from rubber. Rubber products are becoming more popular due to their durability under extreme environmental conditions and cost-effectiveness.

Browse Our Catalog

Rubber Designed for Flight

Rubber products are an excellent option for flight applications. Synthetic rubbers from various sources can withstand highly aggressive aerospace fluids, including:

Engine lubrication oils
Jet fuels
Hydraulic fluids
Oxidizers
Rocket propellants

Some of the common materials that engineers utilize for aerospace and aviation applications include:

Neoprene. This is a good general purpose elastomer that has many desirable characteristics. It has high resilience with low compression set and boasts moderate oil, ozone, and water resistance. It successfully operates within a temperature range of -65°F to 260°F. However, neoprene is not recommended for certain applications like phosphate esters, ketones, and brake fluids.
EPDM. Also known as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, EPDM contains excellent weatherability properties and low gas permeability. It works within a temperature range of -60°F to 280°F. While it is highly resistant to ozone, water, brake fluids, and other substances, it has a low resistance threshold for petroleum oils and diester lubricants.
Silicone. Able to effectively operate in temperatures from -150° to 500°F, silicone boasts the greatest total temperature range of currently used elastomers. While it also has excellent resistance to a number of environmental conditions and outside substances, such as dry heat, brake fluids, and high aniline point oils, it is not an optimal solution for certain applications due to poor tensile strength and tear.

Rubber materials have an array of qualities that make them the perfect choice for aerospace and aviation applications. Some characteristics that stand out include:

A high endurance threshold under extreme stresses
Endurance under extreme temperatures
No need for lubrication between parts
Very little maintenance required, if any
Sound and shock absorption
Long life spans

Applications That Demand Rubber Products

Rubber products have become popular across a broad spectrum of industries. In the aerospace and aviation industry, they have delivered superior performance in applications, such as:

Thermal insulation
Window and door seals
HVAC seals and gaskets
LED lighting gaskets
Vent ducts
Vibration dampening
Instrument panel seals and engine gaskets
O-rings utilized in connectors, valves, and other applications
Hydraulic actuators
Bleed air valves and fittings
Firewall seals
T-seals
Bumpers
Hatch seals and covers
Rubber extrusions
Extruded tubing and seals
Protective boots and bellows

At Thomas A. Caserta, our rubber products are highly customizable according to customer needs and preferences. Our engineers and technical specialists take great pride in designing and supplying safe, robust, and specialized rubber product solutions for a variety of needs.

Contact the Aerospace Rubber Manufacturing Experts

The team at Thomas A. Caserta works hard to ensure that each part for our customers meets or exceeds all the relevant industry specifications and standards. All our custom rubber aircraft components are manufactured in-house, and our stringent quality control protocols and attention to detail guarantee that each client receives a premium product for their particular need.

If you would like to learn more about our manufacturing capabilities or are interested in partnering with us for your aerospace/aviation product needs, reach out to us today.