Rubber lining benefits

The decision to retrofit or install new filters is influenced by plant-specific factors such as the condition of the existing filters, compatibility of the filters to retrofit, availability of space within the plant, etc. Bayer s analysis of the costs and benefits of the retrofit compared to the investment in new filters did not show a clear favourite either decision could be justified. With regard to the rubber lining, gaskets, hydraulic system etc., the Kellys were in very good condition. Because of this, the decision was made to retrofit two of the filters and to use them in a separate brine circuit for the new electrolysers, with a second circuit feeding the amalgam plant. 

The principal benefits of rubber lining are its excellent resistance to corrosive and abrasive chemicals and materials, e.g., acids, alkalies, salt water, slurries, sand, shot blast media, crushed ores etc. In addition to this, rubber linings provide other benefits including noise and vibration reduction, electrical and thermal insulation and product protection. 

Block copolymers can contain crystalline or amorphous hard blocks. Examples of crystalline block copolymers are polyurethanes (e.g. B.F. Goodrich s Estane line), polyether esters (e.g. Dupont s Hytrel polymers), polyether amides (e.g. Atofina s Pebax grades). Polyurethanes have enjoyed limited utility due to their relatively low thermal stability use temperatures must be kept below 275°F, due to the reversibility of the urethane linkage. Recently, polyurethanes with stability at 350°F for nearly 100 h have been claimed [2]. Polyether esters and polyether amides have been explored for PSA applications where their heat and plasticizer resistance is a benefit [3]. However, the high price of these materials and their multiblock architecture have limited their use. All of these crystalline block copolymers consist of multiblocks with relatively short, amorphous, polyether or polyester mid-blocks. Consequently they can not be diluted as extensively with tackifiers and diluents as styrenic triblock copolymers. Thereby it is more difficult to obtain strong, yet soft adhesives — the primary goals of adding rubber to hot melts. 

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