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Molded Rubber Products & Services
General Information on Rubber Molding
Metro Industries carries a number
of standard molded rubber products (O-Rings, Grommets,
etc.), and supplies a wide variety of custom molded rubber
components. Almost any rubber product can be molded, but it is only
the best option for certain applications, depending largely on configuration and
the overall volume of the requirement. As opposed to sheet rubber and extruding, which are both inherently limited to two-dimensional shapes, rubber molding
allows truly three-dimensional configurations to be made. Molding can also reduce the amount of waste created by
external web and internal cut-outs inherent in parts fabricated from sheet
rubber.  However, molds are
generally costly and many molding processes are also relatively labor intensive,
which often makes this an unattractive choice when die-cutting, extrusion,
or other processes are viable options. For these reasons, Metro's
staff carefully considers all options before quoting a job, and we don't
hesitate to ask questions or offer suggestions based on our 35 years experience
and our regard for our customers' success.
Metro has innovated combinations of molding and die-cutting on some products,
gaining the best of both worlds. This has allowed us to reduce overall
material waste plus incorporate limited three-dimensional features in a molded
"blank", while minimizing mold costs by using inexpensive steel rule
dies to complete the fabrication process. We have also found ways to
incorporate typically molded features into die-cut parts using machining,
stamping, and vulcanizing techniques. The point is that Metro leaves no stone unturned to ensure that our customers
get what they need, when they need it, and at the best price. We
won't try to sell you an expensive mold if you don't need it, but if your
requirement is genuinely best suited to rubber molding, Metro can and will take
good care of you. We can even almost always adapt and use existing
molds. Molded Rubber Compounds
Most rubber compounds can be
adapted to molding processes. Compounds Metro typically deals with include
the following:
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Neoprene
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Silicone
- EPDM / EPR
- Fluoro-elastomer (Vitonฎ)
- Styro-Butadiene (SBR)
- Urethane
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- Buna-N (Nitrile)
- Natural and Gum Rubber
- Fluoro-Silicone
- Thermoplastic (TPR)
- ECH
- Hypalon
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- Various rubber compounds designed to meet UL, FDA, NSF, ASA, Mil Spec and other special
requirements are available, also.
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Related Pages:
- O-Ring Catalog Complete line of Buna-n, Silicone, Viton, EPDM, more, includes Prices, Specifications, Sizes, Tolerances
- Rubber Grommets - Online Prices, Specifications, Discounts.
- Chemical Resistance of Common Elastomers
- Sheet Rubber CURRENT Stock and Prices (updated daily!)
- Die Cutting, Waterjet/Laser, Slitting, Other Custom Fabrication Services
- Rubber Washers - Online Catalog with Prices, Specs on 500k standard styles
- Rubber Flange Gaskets - Online Catalog with Prices on 1000's standard styles
Resources, Links, Technical Information on Elastomers (rubber)
"Viton" is a registered trademarks of E.I. Dupont, Inc.
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