Rubber sheeting is used in a wide range of industries, for many different purposes, due to the unique properties of rubber.
Once rolled out into sheet form, rubber can be cut down, folded, moulded or shaped into any form so that it can be used in any manner of applications, usually where strong sealing or protection is required.
We’re starting to see rubber used more in industry due to its effectiveness and efficiency, and as the cost of alternatives rises, and there are some everyday applications that you may not be aware of.
Defence Industry
Believe it or not, rubber sheeting products are used in a very wide range of applications in the defence sector, where materials need to be 100% reliable.
The shock absorption, strength, flexibility and ability to safely seal in liquid make rubber sheeting invaluable to the armed forces who use it for all kinds of things.
For example, the military can safely and transport and store fuel using huge rubber fuel tanks, and also use rubber sheeting to create massive floating ‘anti-terrorism barriers’ which are used to protect harbours and shipyards from seaborne attacks.
This infographic from White Cross Rubber Products, the UK’ leading rubber sheeting manufacturers, highlights some of the innovative ways the military are using rubber, and you might be surprised!
Food Production
As rubber sheeting is relatively inert, it can be safely used in the production of food and drink.
As you would imagine, there are stringent rules put in place by the Food Standards Agency as to what materials can be used when it comes to food production, but rubber sheeting is completely safe and hygienic and passes all these guidelines.
In particular, it is often used in baking, to stop food from sticking to equipment due to its non-stick properties as well as its resistance to extremely high temperatures.
Medicine
Rubber sheeting also has applications within the medical professions, including dentistry, physiotherapy and veterinary medicine.
Much like with food production, it’s important to meet strict guidelines, and special synthetic rubber sheeting has to be used which will not have any proteins or chemicals which could trigger an allergic reaction in a patient.
This makes it ideal for use in sensitive applications such surgery where the material will be coming into contact with skin or open wounds.
Fabridams
When you think of river dams, you probably either think of the things beavers make or the huge concrete constructions such as the Hoover Dam in the US.
However, rubber sheeting has allowed an innovative new way to control water flow with rubber dams, also known as fabridams.
The most famous of these is the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam in Pennsylvania which is 640m long.
Fabridams allow for better control of soil erosion as well as being able to act as a reservoir during spells of little rainfall.
Aviation
The ability of rubber sheeting to withstand extreme stress and heat makes it perfect for a variety of uses in the aviation industry.
Much like the defence industry, there is no margin for error when you’re building huge jumbo jets.
Rubber sheeting is used in a range of different aircraft parts, from the wings and engine gaskets right down to the overhead lockers and instrument panels.