Rubber Weatherstripping

Rubber weatherstripping for automotive exteriors is usually produced from compounds based on EPDM. These weatherstrips can be dense (no voids), cellular (closed cell structure), or semidense. Weatherstripping is commonly extruded and cured in a continuous vulcanization unit (CVU). Some new production lines are switching over to thermopiastic elastomers (TPEs), which eliminate the curing step, with a reduction in production costs. 

Solvent cements of the neoprene or SBR type are used in automotive interiors to fasten roof linings, sound deadener pads, and rubber weatherstripping to doors or door openings. Hot melts of the polyamide type are used as carpet-to-floor adhesives and to anchor instrument gauge springs. 

Epcar EPM. [BFGoodtich/Spec. Polymers] EPM rubber fm molded and extruded prods., wire insulation and jacketing, mold o-rings, bidce components, sidewalls, hose, matting, automotive weatherstripping. 

The use of EPDM rubbers for the manufacture of automobile and truck tires has not been successful, mainly because of poor tire cord adhesion and poor compatibility with most other rubbers. However, EPDM rubbers have become widely accepted as a moderately heat-resisting material with good weathering, oxygen, and ozone resistance. They find extensive use in nontire automobile applications, including body and chassis parts, car bumpers, radiator and heater hoses, weatherstrips, seals, and mats. Other applications include wire and cable insulation, appliance parts, hoses, gaskets and seals, and coated fabrics. 

Blends based on nitrile rubbers are used in underground wire/cable covering automotive weatherstripping, spoiler extensions, foam-integral skin core-cover armrests, and window frames footwear and flexible, lay-flat, reinforced, rigid, and spiral hose for oils, water, food, and compressed air. 

Rubber and Plastics News 29, No.22, 29th May 2000, p.12-4 REDUCING IRIDESCENCE IN EPDM WEATHERSTRIPPING... 

EPDM is the fourth highest volume general purpose elastomer used today in the ruhher industry. At 2.7 hillion pounds of global annual production in 2010, EPDM represents about 10% of the total synthetic rubber production. However, unlike NR, SBR, and BR, this synthetic rubber is mostly used in the nontire sector (only a small amount of EPDM may be used in tire white sidewall compound, cover strip, and bicycle tires). EPDM is commonly used in single-ply roofing, in automotive weatherstrips, and hundreds of other applications. 

Therefore, EPDM is commonly preferred for making single-ply roofing. It is also the rubber of choice for the exterior weatherstripping for automobiles. 

Prior to the second World War, natural rubber was the only elastomer widely used in adhesives. It was used for such applications as tire building, adhering of sponge weatherstrips to automobile doors, and the temporary attachment of shoe soles. However, rubber cements were limited by their low cohesive strength and poor aging of the uncured film. 

In the automotive market, cyanoacrylates are used to bond weatherstripping to automotive bodies and to position rubber gaskets before assembly. They are used to bond polycarbonate positioning clips to side windows of automobiles, alternator horn assembly components, and rubber gaskets to automotive thermostats. One of the most common automotive applications is the use of cyanoacrylates in the repair of flexible PVC side trim strips. 

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