What Materials Are Used In Extrusions: The Ultimate Comparison Guide For Your Business
The world of extrusions is constantly growing and changing to meet business needs. With thermoplastics, rubber and silicone as the most popular materials used in extrusions, it is vital to know which is right for your organisation. Which type of extrusion do you need?
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The types of extrusions: what are the materials used?
The wide range of materials used to create extrusions is extensive. You’ll find a huge array of plastic and rubber materials on offer and it can be confusing! However, there are three families of materials most commonly used:
- Thermoplastic extrusions
- Silicone rubber extrusions
- Synthetic rubber Extrusions
Each of these families of materials offers different levels of strength, durability, flexibility, chemical and temperature resistance. This can vary depending on the raw materials used, as well as the extrusion process. There are some situations where extruded plastic would be more suitable than extruded rubber or silicone and vice versa. But how do you know which extrusion is right for your business needs?
What do you need to know when you compare extrusions?
There are numerous factors to consider when choosing the right extruded material for your business. These are broken down into the following categories:
- Material properties (strength, flexibility, hardness)
- Resistance and conductivity (thermal conductivity, temperature and chemical resistance)
- Expected lifespan (durability and longevity)
- Environmental impact (recyclability, biodegradability)
- Cost considerations (processing, raw materials, expenses, production costs)
- Regulatory compliance (regulatory standards, compliance requirements, industry safety standards)
Which material is best suited for your needs? Our detailed breakdown can help.
Thermoplastic extrusions
Thermoplastic extrusions are commonly seen in a huge array of industries across the world. Thermoplastic extrusions are for the most part fully recyclable, an important consideration as we strive to reduce plastic pollution. Examples of thermoplastic materials are Flexible PVC, UPVC (rigid PVC), Polythene (LDPE), Polypropylene, Nylon and advanced TPR which are advanced thermoplastic rubbers such as Santoprene and Evoprene. Examples of products are window glazing profiles, building products, aerospace and automotive tubes and profiles, medical applications, engineering applications and food and drink applications. This is to list just a handful, the list of products and their industry scenarios is exhausting!
We manufacture all of the above materials and more, so please contact us if you need advise on materials or products.
Rubber extrusions
Silicone rubber extrusions are biocompatible, inert and non-toxic, making them perfect for use in the medical industry and dairy industry as well as many other industry where airtight and watertight seals are vital. It has a very strong temperature range giving superior high temperature range. Silicone rubber is a 'thermoset' material and is NOT recyclable. It is cured via a heat oven after manufacture. We supply a broad array of silicone tubes and gasket profiles, call us if you need advise on these materials.
Rubber Extrusions
Rubber extrusions follow pretty much the same manufacturing process as Silicone rubber, but this product can be oven cured or salt cured depending on which material is used. Synthetic rubbers are thermoset compounds and like Silicone are NOT recyclable.
Used widely in the automotive, rail and engineering industry, their usage is widespread in literally thousands of applications. We stock and supply many rubber tubes and profiles, give us call if you are not sure on which material to choose.
Industry-specific considerations and extrusion advantages
The demands of each industry mean that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for extruded materials. The performance, durability, and safety of the final product might mean that there are certain circumstances where different extrusions just won’t deliver the desired results.
At Transam Extrusions, we understand the importance of getting the right plastic material for your needs. We are one of the UK’s leading plastic pipe and flexible PVC profile manufacturers and will work with you to find the right plastic extrusion for your needs.
What materials are used in extrusions and how to choose the right one for your business
Transam Extrusions has over 30 years of experience in supplying clients with the plastic extrusions they need in the UK, Europe, and beyond. We are constantly developing out manufacturing process, expanding our material portfolio, and thinking of our environmental impact. This is why we use reclaimed cardboard boxes and bags for packing and recycle 98% of our material scrap on-site.
Plastic extrusions offer great flexibility, lifespan, and durability for your business. We can even recycle some extrusions and manufacture extruded plastic to regulatory standards. Find your perfect product with Transam Extrusions.