Process special profile geometries

Figure 7.7 shows a typical rubber profile extrusion line. Several days prior to the extrusion itself, the raw rubber is prepared in an internal mixer, where certain materials such as sulfur or carbon black are added to achieve the required properties. One or more extruders form the head of the production line. There, the rubber is kneaded, heated, intermixed, and then extruded through specially formed dies (final delivery elements) which are responsible for attaining the required profile geometry. A major part of the line is taken by the vulcanization process, usually achieved by near infra red and microwave heating. After optical quality control, the profile is cooled down and cut into pieces of a certain length. 

Reinforcement material is provided to the process in form of one or more stacked, continuous plane textile structures. Thus, the profile s geometry must be representable with this material by shaping. Alternatively, special preforms can be used so that the geometry is limited by the performance of the preforming process. 

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