Rubber Linings are a premium form of corrosion protection for some of the most severe chemical and abrasive environments. Natural and butyl rubber linings withstand a variety of high-concentration acids and are the optimum choice for high heat and abrasive environments. Additionally, the elasticity of a rubber lining easily accommodates thermal expansion and contraction as well as vibration.
The major benefit of a rubber lining is simply its thickness. Rubber linings are usually applied at a thickness of about 1/4″. Thinner-film materials may have similar chemical or abrasion resistance, but when they start to degrade the chemical and/or media quickly reaches the steel. When a rubber lining finally begins to degrade only the exposed surface is attacked while the rubber underneath remains as good as new. This fact allows plenty of time for the problems to be fixed prior to substrate failure.
Rubber linings are cut to size and applied by hand in sheets. For irregular shapes and optimum adhesion they are applied in an un-vulcanized state and then usually cured using heat. The heat reacts with the adhesion system to create an extremely aggressive bond to the steel. Rubber linings can also be chemically-cured without the use of heat for patches or when abrasion resistance is not a concern. Pre-cured tank lining sheet rubber is also applied to flat substrates when a heat cure is difficult or cost-prohibitive. The following types of equipment are often rubber lined: Pressure vessels, storage tanks, tanker trailers, rail cars, hoppers, chutes, pipe, impellers, filter plates, valves, etc.
While many rubber linings may look the same, there are a wide variety of polymers and ingredients that allow them to perform well in different environments. For each polymer (natural rubber, chlorobutyl, bromobutyl, neoprene, nitrile, viton, etc.) there are a variety of different blends and hardnesses. Limitations of rubber linings are hydrocarbons, temperatures over 270 deg. F, poor substrate condition, and relatively high installation cost. Please contact us today for a lining recommendation that will meet your specific situation.
