Why it pays to have a custom moulded rubber supplier on hand

Elastomers are wonderful materials: flexible, durable and incredibly versatile. Except they are just as fallible to mechanical failure as any other industrial material over time. Common environmental factors – including heat, oxygen and light – contribute to the eventual deterioration of rubber parts. When such parts fail, the likelihood is a halt in production, indeterminate downtime and unscheduled maintenance. All of which costs time and money.

Which is exactly why it pays to have a custom moulded rubber supplier like TRP Polymer Solutions on hand to develop new and replacement parts. Not only can an experienced custom moulded rubber manufacturer come to your aid in times of crisis, but they can assist with the development and manufacture of superior custom moulded rubber solutions that are expertly engineered to perform better and last longer than ever. Read on to find out more. 

How and why does rubber deteriorate?

Most elastomers degrade over time. Persistent exposure to light, heat and oxygen are all contributory environmental factors that can expediate the deterioration of rubber parts. Rubber products are susceptible to hardening, a process known as “chain hardening” or softening, which we call “chain scission”, at the hands of these environmental conditions. More often than not, the result is chain hardening because the resulting free radicals create new cross-links that reduce the rubber’s elasticity.

As the mechanical properties of a rubber component become compromised in this way, the inevitable result is eventual failure. In the case of critical rubber parts, such as ‘O’ rings and seals, this can lead to a raft of issues, including machine failure, lost productivity and potential safety issues for personnel. A seasoned custom moulded rubber manufacturer can help you to avoid these issues. Prevention is always better than cure and TRP Polymer Solutions experienced polymerists can support the development of durable and reliable parts you can rely on.

How to extend the service life of your custom rubber products

Some applications require custom rubber products. That is simply the reality of manufacturing. But the drawbacks are all too evident when a problem occurs and an off-the-shelf solution simply won’t do. In the short-term, the surest route to a swift resolution is to engage with a custom moulded rubber manufacturer like TRP Polymer Solutions. We can develop custom moulded rubber parts with rapid delivery when you need them most.   

In the longer-term, once you’ve worked with us once you’re likely to want to use our services again. We say that with total confidence in our abilities and services. Of course, the best way to extend the service life of your custom rubber products is to ensure that they are made by TRP Polymer Solution in the first place. 

Our custom moulded rubber design process involves rigorous testing of our conceptual design, using advanced computer modelling techniques, careful material selection and extensive prototyping. Only once we are completely satisfied that our design and polymer blend will perform optimally under the stresses of your specific application will we then go into production. This is how we optimise the quality and longevity of your parts. 

Source your custom moulded rubber parts from TRP Polymer Solutions

For custom moulded rubber parts that you can rely on to perform in the most challenging environments for longer, make TRP Polymer Solutions your custom moulded rubber manufacturer of choice. All of our custom rubber products are specially formulated to meet your specific application requirements. To find out more about our high-quality polymer products and manufacturing processes, or to discuss your requirements in more detail, please contact TRP Polymer Solutions today on +44(0)1432 268899 or email sales@trp.co.uk.