With the numerous types of rubber sheets available for sale to market, it becomes difficult to decipher which rubber sheets are appropriate for your particular application. When working within a laboratory setting, you may be concerned with having an elastic rubber sheet that offers durability and excellent chemical resistance. For the local pet owner, abrasion resistant and Ozone protective rubber rolls are certainly of more importance. For a food processing facility resistance to oils and greases may be the prime concern. The fact of the matter is that there are so many compounds that can be combined with these rubber materials to create a product that offers you precisely what you need. It becomes confusing what exactly each compound is good for, and it is crucial to use the right blend of materials to accommodate its intended use. As top rubber sheeting suppliers for years, Rubber-Cal has gained the knowledge and skill set to inform individuals about different compounds and their unique characteristics. With almost 20 years of experience to boast, we have grown our catalogue of sheet rubber to include products that offer solutions to several different industries.

To get a better understanding of the different types of rubber sheets we will first examine the different compounds that are used within many of the rubber materials. When manufactured in combination with these elastomers, each product gains characteristics that are innate to these composite materials and serve a different function. Each of the rubber rolls also maintain different physical characteristics like tensile strengths and durometers, depending on the blend offered. Tensile strength simply refers to the amount of pressure that can be applied to the material before it tears. It is measured in PSI and serves as vital information to those looking for a material that will be under large amounts of pressure. Durometer on the other hand, measures rubber rolls hardness and lets consumers know how resistant it is to any sort of permanent indentation. With a bit of background knowledge, we can explore the most popular compounds and the qualities that they have to offer.

• Neoprene: Among the most popular of the compounds offered this polymer provides several qualities desirable for many applications. Products such as our Hard Neoprene Blend are commonly used in sound studios, gasketing, and industrial padding. In particular, it has moderate levels of chemical resistance, good protection against UV rays, and Ozone resistance (which varies depending on the blend); meaning it could withstand the weathering of the outdoors.
• SBR (styrene butadiene rubber): Considered to be a general purpose rubber, this compound offers exceptional abrasion resistance, moderate UV and ozone protection, and moderate chemical resistance. Used for applications such as general purpose flapping and floor protection, and skirting. Products with SBR like Rubber-Cal’s Red Sheet are resilient and durable enough to handle these applications.
• TPR (thermoplastic rubber): This material is a blend of rubber and plastic and maintains properties unique to both of its ingredients. With excellent temperature resistance, this textile can withstand extreme temperatures while also being able to supply chemical resistance. Our Santoprene Thermoplastic Elastomer is a great example of a TPR and is used for various automotive and electrical applications.
• EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer): This highly sought after compound is among the best in terms of withstanding weathering. With unparalleled UV and ozone resistance, it excels in outdoor areas and is extremely durable. Rubber-Cal’s EPDM Blend takes further enhances this compound by adding chemical resistance into a smooth elastic rubber sheet product.
• Nitrile (NBR): Another well known compound in the rubber industry, Nitrile forms elastomers that are protected against organic and synthetic oils, chemicals, abrasions, and excess impact. Common uses of this product include materials for bumpers, pads, and automotive gaskets.
• Silicone: Its defining trait includes this material’s ability to endure high temperature conditions in conjunction with chemical resistance. Rubber-Cal’s Silicone Commercial Grade is a prime example of how this compound is fused with rubber to perform well for high temperature gasketing, laboratory equipment, and commercial chemical resistance use.
• NR sheets (natural rubber): This organic good is naturally harvested from rubber trees and provides the elastic quality that is common to all rubber goods. Typically mixed into various types of rubber sheets, it adds elements of elasticity, durability, and resilience to the products.
• Recycled sheets: An eco-friendly material that is highly durable and resistant to weathering, these recycled rubber sheets are combined with other compounds to offer various functions. From our famous Elephant Bark to the well-know X-Derm, this recycled material can accommodate the needs of several applications.

With a better grasp and understanding on the various compounds that saturate the rubber industry, you can now make an informed decision on the types of rubber sheets that suit your needs. As leading rubber sheet suppliers, we hope to guide you to solutions for your elastic rubber sheet needs. With our vast inventory of rubber rolls, we are confident that we can supply you with the right materials. So next time you need assistance making an informed decision, don’t hesitate to contact the Rubber-Cal experts!