Top 5 Maintenance Tips For An Industrial Rubber Sheet

What is an industrial rubber sheet? 

 An industrial rubber sheet can be composed of natural or artificial rubber compounds. Different intent of applications demands different compositions. Rubber sheets are flexible, durable, and provide a long service life in day-to-day industrial applications. A rubber sheet can be composed of silicone, EPDM, neoprene, nitrile, Viton, and several others. 

Top 5 maintenance tips for an industrial rubber sheet

1. Clean your rubber sheets regularly:

Industrial rubber products require frequent cleaning. This ensures effective service and longevity of the products. You should clean your industrial rubber sheet regularly. Keep it free from dust, dirt, and moisture as they disrupt its performance.

In order to clean your rubber sheet, you can use a mild soap or detergent solution. You can also use specialized cleaning agents. For removing tough stains, you can use a vinegar solution. Avoid using harsh acids or other chemicals while cleaning. This can damage the sheet and lead to disintegration. 

2. Avoid direct exposure to sun:

When an industrial rubber sheet is exposed to sunlight for an extended time, it starts aging rapidly. Eventually, it hardens and disintegrates, resulting in a shorter life span. Additionally, industrial rubber products tend to be damaged when they are exposed to UV radiation and ozone. Hence, you should keep them in places that do not receive direct sunlight.
For instance, you can store your rubber sheets in a shaded area when you are not using them. This is an ideal way of increasing their service life.

3. Minimize exposure to extreme temperatures:

Some industrial rubber sheets can swell in very high temperatures. In extremely cold temperatures, they can become brittle. They can develop tears and cracks in such conditions. Hence, you should keep your industrial rubber sheet at ambient temperatures. However, some sheets are made especially for higher temperatures.

Silicone rubber products are used for high-temperature applications. Starting from kitchenware to high-temperature applications, they provide extraordinary services. One of the most important silicone rubber products is silicone rubber sheets. They are used in the automotive, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Silicone rubber products are safe for human contact.

4. Store your rubber sheets properly:

You should properly store your industrial rubber sheet. Improper storage leads to the development of cracks and wrinkles. You can store your rubber sheets in rolls. In the case of thick rubber sheets, you can stack them above one another to avoid damage. To avoid creases and deformation, you should place some fabric or cardboard between the sheets.

5. Limit physical stress:

All industrial rubber products have a specific extent up to which they can endure physical stress. Though rubber has good mechanical properties, it can break down under huge stress. When you subject an industrial rubber sheet to huge stretching or pulling, it might tear.

Besides, overloading can cause the rubber sheet to break down. You should not stack heavy machinery or objects on top of your rubber sheets. You should limit the physical stress for their greater longevity. 

To summarize,

To maintain your industrial rubber sheet, you should clean it regularly. Avoid exposure to the sun for long hours. Minimize exposing your rubber sheets to direct sunlight, UV radiation, and ozone. Limit overloading or high physical stress on your sheets. Ensure proper storage to have a longer service life. You can tailor-make your rubber sheet considering how thick rubber sheet you require.

Some interesting FAQs are as follows:

1. What are the other industrial rubber products?

Ans: There are different industrial rubber products serving different purposes. The following are some of the most used industrial rubber products:

• Rubber sheets
• Rubber mat electrical
• Conveyor belts
• O-rings
• Rubber dampers
• Tires
• Hoses
• Others.

2. Why are rubber products preferred over other materials?

Ans: Rubber products are highly durable. They can provide a long service life without frequent repairs or replacements. You can use them for several purposes, starting from insulation to sealing. They are flexible and resilient, which is ideal for industrial applications.

3. Which one of the rubber sheets are used as rubber roofing sheets?

Ans: EPDM rubber sheets are used as rubber roofing sheets. They are weather-resistant which makes them ideal for outdoor applications like roofing. They offer an anti-leakage roofing solution. EPDM rubber sheets have high durability and can sustain exposure to UV radiation and ozone.