Rubber injection molding is the process by which raw rubber material is injected into a metal mold cavity to create a useful product. Vulcanization, or curing, is a chemical reaction that applies pressure to cross-link the rubber’s polymer chains. Injection rubber molding is the most popular rubber molding technique. Manufacturers create customized projects, complex pieces, and big-volume production runs using rubber injection molding. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
RD Rubber Technology Corporation
Santa Fe Springs, CA | 562-941-4800RD Rubber Technology Corp is an ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100:2016 certified and ITAR registered company. We offer compression, transfer, injection and Liquid Injection molding, rubber to metal bonding, engineering support, tooling design, machining and more. Our customers rely on us to give them the best possible production solutions for rubber molding. From aerospace to medical, food processing to military applications we build trust by being responsive to your needs.
Britech Industries
Stuart, FL | 772-286-9278If you have a need custom rubber molding for products with a fast turnaround, Britech Industries is the company you need to call. We do molded, extruded and die cut rubber – of various products and in the colors and compounds you need.
Pierce-Roberts Rubber Co.
Trenton, NJ | 609-394-5245With more than a century of manufacturing experience, Pierce-Roberts Rubber Co. is your source for custom molded rubber products.
Accurate Products, Inc.
Chicago, IL | 800-782-7776Rubber molding is what we do best. We believe in offering our very best to all customers no matter how large or small. For over 65 years we have pushed the boundaries of what we do and continue to improve our products and customer service every day.
REDCO Rubber Engineering & Development Company
Carson City, NV | 800-733-2648REDCO Rubber Engineering & Development is your complete source for rubber molding products, including rubber rollers, die-cut gaskets, and custom rubber products to suit your application.
National Rubber Corp.
Canonsburg, PA | 866-672-8100National Rubber was founded in 1997 with the values of variety, consistency, quality, open communication, and timely delivery at its core.
Mason Rubber Co., Inc.
Trevose, PA | 215-355-3440Mason Rubber is a full-service organization assisting in the designing or reverse engineering of custom product to fulfill your production requirements.
Minnesota Rubber & Plastics
Minneapolis, MN | 1-800-927-1422Minnesota Rubber and Plastics (MRP) is a leader in material compound development and the manufacturing of custom elastomeric and thermoplastic components. With facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, MRP collaborates with original equipment manufacturers to solve difficult sealing and component challenges across multiple markets. Capabilities include materials science and formulation, fully functional product prototyping, and operational excellence and supply chain consolidation.
Premier Seals Manufacturing
Akron, OH | 877-771-6766With over 30 years of experience in the rubber molding industry, we remain committed to offering the best of our time and energy to all customers no matter how large or small.
Kent Rubber Supply Co.
Grand Rapids, MI | 616-538-4970Kent Rubber Supply leverages our experience, innovation and continuous development to ensure our customers get the best products. We specialize in small to large batch production runs of molded rubber parts, allowing us to offer ultimate customization when it comes to a wide variety of specs. Our products vary in shapes, sizes and wall thicknesses in materials such as PVC and urethane. Both domestic and offshore services are available.
Aero Rubber Company, Inc.
Tinley Park, IL | 800-662-1009Aero Rubber is an ISO 9001:2015-registered, world-class manufacturer of molded rubber products, custom molded rubber and molded rubber goods.
Jet Rubber Company
Rootstown, OH | 330-325-1821Jet Rubber Company, employee-owned, offers custom molded rubber and rubber to metal components. They offer rubber molding in a wide array of standard rubber products as well as custom options for those more complex and difficult jobs.
Device Technologies, Inc.
Southborough, MA | 508-229-2000Spring-Fast Grommets with fusion bonded nylon & a polymer cushion prevent wire chafe & give you best in class performance, 49% install savings & a 9.5x efficiency improvement. The nylon clad metal substrate snaps on with finger pressure & self locks - eliminating adhesives & the old slow & costly gluing process. It is used widely used in across the OEM & contract manufacture sectors. ISO 9001:2015 & AS 9100-D. Collaborative product customization available. Request free samples on site.
Injection Molding Process
The injection molding process allows for acute precision. First, manufacturers melt the raw rubber. The rubber flows in liquid form into the mold cavity through a barrel or nozzle. The mold is clamped tightly to prevent or reduce flashing.
In injection molding, chemical reactions harden the polymer chains inside the raw rubber. Long polymer chains are forced to cross-link to prevent them from moving independently. As a result, the rubber material stretches or shrinks as the force is applied or released. The rubber forms intricate shapes.
The engineers must consider the placement of the separating line while injection molding to ensure it has a minimal draft angle. The mold's design is regarded as the cornerstone of part development. The finished mold is then converted into a metal mold. Sometimes, beryllium-hardened aluminum, hardened steel, or copper are used to create and manufacture molds. After the mold is created and cast, it is tested to make sure it accurately conforms to the original dimensions.
Types of Rubbers Used for Injection Molding
- Natural rubber
- Silicone
- Nitrile rubber
- Fluorosilicone
- Liquid silicone rubber
- Urethane
- Butyl
- Fluorocarbon
Products Made with Rubber Injection Molding
Rubber Grommets
Rubber grommets are rings placed around metal apertures to shield the opening. Rubber grommets are often used for wiring.
Rubber Plugs
Rubber plugs are typically used to protect edges and joints on machinery. In addition, rubber plugs can be used to conceal wires that are a part of an intake wiring system under specific circumstances. There are many rubber plugs, including the connector, the T, the plus, and the washer.
Vacuum Cups
Vacuum cups are another name for rubber suction cups. They serve as a handling mechanism for objects with flat surfaces like metal sheets, glass, tubes, wood panels, or manufactured things. There are many types, styles, and sizes of rubber suction cups. However, bellows and flat rubber suction cups are the two primary varieties.
Rubber Isolators
Rubber isolators are used the most often in industries. They shield equipment and home appliances from vibration-related harm. They are also in charge of maintaining the machinery's level and position while stationary. Mounts, bumpers, leveling pads, bushings, and shock mounts are examples of rubber isolators. Controlling vibrations is a crucial component of equipment operation.
Advantages of Rubber Injection Molding
- High accuracy
- Enables more complex designs
- Eliminates performs in a short cycle period
- Less rubber and flash waste
- More durometer shore choices
- Excellent for requirements requiring high volume production
Disadvantages of Rubber Injection Molding
- Higher setup expenses
- Smaller quantities of parts can be expensive
- Costlier equipment and tools
