Why Turn to Aero Rubber for Custom Molded Rubber Parts?
Aero has 50 years of experience in developing custom molded rubber parts, ensuring consistently high quality and superior customer experience is in our DNA.
To learn more about our custom rubber molding capabilities or to receive a quote, call us at (800) 662-1009 or Contact Us today. You will be immediately connected with a dedicated sales engineer who will ensure that the service and product you receive meet your highest expectations.
Rubber Molding Methods
Our Consultative Sales Engineers are ready to work on your molded rubber product. The most appropriate molding method will depend on the combination of part configuration, size and required volume.
Compression Molding
Transfer Molding
Injection Molding
Compression Molding
Compression molding relies on compressive force and heat to form uncured rubber into the desired shape and size. The process involves enclosing a rubber preform—i.e., a set amount of rubber material—into the mold cavity. Within the mold, the material heats up and cures, which allows it to maintain its form even once it is removed from the mold.
Transfer Molding
The main differentiator from other types of molding processes is that transfer molding takes place in a closed-mold system. Uncured rubber is placed in the center of the heated mold, then pushed through the sprue holes into the cavities of a closed mold. Once the material cures, the mold is opened, and the finished part is removed.
Injection Molding
Similar to transfer molding, injection molding employs the use of high pressure and heat to force rubber into a closed mold. However, in these operations, the material is heated until it reaches a plastic state and then injected under high pressure into the mold cavity. Within the mold, the material is subjected to high heat and pressure, which initiates and completes the vulcanization process.
Supported by the use of automation technology, injection molding accommodates consistency and design complexity in high-volume productions.
The Material Selection Process
Our sales engineers will guide you to determine which material will be most suitable for your unique application. We can supply almost any elastomer on the market today, including Neoprene, Silicone, Viton®, EPDM and others. We work with economy to specification-grade materials, in compliance with the toughest industry standards.
Some of the most common materials used in rubber molding operations include:
EPDM exhibits excellent ozone and UV resistance in temperatures ranging from -60° F to 250° F, all of which makes it popular for use in the manufacture of outdoor equipment. However, it is vulnerable to oils, aromatic hydrocarbons, and petroleum products.
Neoprene is an excellent general-purpose elastomer. Its main disadvantage is its lack of resistance to many industrial chemicals, including strong acids, esters, ketones, and hydrocarbons.
Nitrile demonstrates excellent resistance to grease/oil, fuel, and solvents. However, it has poor resistance to chlorinated hydrocarbons and ketones.
Silicone: When processed, silicone achieves high purity levels, enabling it to be used in sensitive applications, such as food processing, medical, and pharmaceutical operations. It exhibits excellent durability—including resistance to ozone and UV radiation—but is vulnerable to grease/oil, fuel, solvents, abrasion, and tearing.
Viton is ideal for use in applications involving high temperatures (up to 400° F) and/or chemical exposure. Its primary limitations are a narrow hardness range and the potential for damage from ketones, nitro-containing compounds, and some esters and alcohols.
Industries Served
Rubber molded parts and products have applications across a wide range of industries. Whether they take the form of gaskets, seals, rollers, washers or others, they play a critical role in many devices, equipment, and systems. Some of the industries which rely on rubber molded components include: