Rubber-Cal, Inc., a California-based industrial rubber distributor, is launching a new range of sponge rubber products to boost the options on offer for customers. The new closed cell sponge rubber is a strong and versatile addition to the company’s inventory, and can be used in a wide range of applications.
The new products hitting Rubber-Cal’s shelves are closed cell versions of three different rubber types – neoprene, EPDM and a neoprene/SBR blend. These closed cell sponge rubbers come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses, ranging from 1/16 of an inch to one inch thickness.
Now available, these cellular products are created by introducing gases or foaming agents to the rubber during manufacturing, creating a whole new form which is less dense than regular rubber. The closed cell name refers to its structural make-up, which is where the material’s unique power comes from. Closed cells within the rubber act as sealed air pockets, which gives the material its extra compressive qualities. The closed cells also make the material less porous than open cell rubber products, as moisture cannot get into those air pockets.
Closed cell sponge rubber can provide major benefits in terms of real-world applications. It has a high compressive strength while retaining its shape and form, and the air pockets give the product great shock absorbency because they help dissipate energy. It also acts as effective insulation because this structure transmits heat at a slower rate. The different products can be used to create anything from moisture-resistant gaskets to door seals and electric insulation.
Sean Dhaliwal, Rubber-Cal’s head of marketing, said the new products will provide excellent options for customers. “The new sponge rubber sheets are very high quality,” he said. “They are sized at 39" x 78", which is a full one meter by two meters. Our edge is that these sponge sheets are far more cost-effective when compared to many of our competitors, and we stock this in-house.
“Our customers also have options on the type of sponge, because we carry a Neoprene, EPDM, and Blend variant which combines Neoprene and SBR compounds,” he added. “Thanks to the chemical and environmental resistance they offer, they can be used in a very wide range of commercial and industrial applications.”
Each sponge rubber product has different benefits, depending on the properties of the individual materials. Neoprene has strong oil-resistance qualities, which are retained by the closed cell variants of neoprene. This makes closed cell neoprene an ideal option for uses such as a gasket which come into constant contact with grease or oil. The cellular EPDM rubber has excellent weather resistance, standing up well to the elements. Last but not least, the rubber blend version of the closed cell sponge is especially durable, and presents the most affordable option for customers.
Sponge rubber has been around since 1929, originally discovered and patented by the Dunlop Rubber – better known for producing car and bike tires. A pair of research chemists created the new rubber form using whipped latex rubber. Sponge rubber has been available commercially and used in a range of applications since the 1940s. Now, customers can take advantage of Rubber-Cal’s new sponge stock.
Rubber-Cal, Inc. specializes in offering top-quality rubber products across North America. Founded in 1994, the company has become a leading source of rubber flooring, industrial sheet rubber and flexible ducting, and is committed to serving all customers – from individuals to large-scale businesses. Rubber-Cal also has a strong online presence, with storefronts at Rubbercal.com, RubberFlooringExperts.com, FloorMatCompany.com, Coirmat.com and Ducting.com, as well as other sales channels. These websites offer customers easy access to an impressive inventory, as well as a vast array of information, specifications and pricing. The company prides itself on evolving to meet the changing needs of consumers.