Rubber Lining

What is Rubber Lining?

Rubber lining refers to the application of rubber sheets or membranes to protect surfaces from corrosion in aggressive chemical environments. This protective process is essential for resisting acids, alkalis, chemicals, abrasion, and impact. Rubber linings provide high-quality corrosion protection, especially in severe chemical and abrasive environments. Natural and butyl rubber linings are highly effective in withstanding high concentrations of acids, making them an ideal choice for harsh, abrasive conditions. The natural elasticity of rubber linings also accommodates thermal expansion, contraction, and vibrations.

Each type of rubber, such as natural rubber, bromobutyl, polychloroprene, and nitrile, is formulated in various blends to suit specific needs. These linings are typically applied manually in sheets, and rubber-lined tanks and piping systems can be chemically cured without heat. Additionally, pre-cured rubber sheets are used when heat curing is impractical or too costly. Rubber linings are applied to a broad range of equipment, including pressure vessels, tanker trailers, hoppers, chutes, pipes, impellers, filter plates, and valves. It’s crucial to understand the unique properties of each rubber type, as different substrates require distinct application methods.

At Globe Carbon Industries, we employ highly skilled applicators for rubber lining services. Each rubber type has unique characteristics that require careful mixing and application. Our quality control processes ensure the best results, including temperature and humidity monitoring, thickness testing, holiday testing, and hardness testing. Feel free to contact Globe Carbon Industries for expert advice and recommendations on rubber-lined applications tailored to your specific needs.

Uses of Rubber Linings

Rubber linings are widely used across various industries, such as chemicals, mining, fertilizers, electrochemicals, steel, transportation, and environmental protection. They serve as a barrier against corrosion, metal impurities, and chemical contamination. With the latest technology, rubber linings are produced in different thicknesses to meet various industrial demands. Available in a wide range of rubber types, these linings offer:

• Extended equipment life.
• Protection against:
  • Extreme abrasion and corrosion.
  • Harsh chemical environments.
  • Severe wear conditions.

Types of Rubber for Linings

Rubber linings can be made from both natural and synthetic rubber, with the specific choice depending on the application and requirements.

Natural Soft Rubber Linings

These linings are typically made from various types of soft poly-rubber. They are characterized by low hardness, high resilience, and flexibility. These rubber linings are highly abrasion-resistant and can absorb and deflect the impact from materials in motion. They are commonly used for slurry tanks, pipe linings, and pump linings. They are also ideal for pickling tanks and storage tanks that require resistance to hydrochloric acid and sulfuric solutions.

Hard Rubber Linings

Hard rubber linings are made from different types of hard poly-rubber. They are chemical-resistant, flexible, and highly impact-resistant. Some of these linings, such as graphite-based varieties, offer excellent chemical resistance even at high temperatures. Others, such as those vulcanized using exhaust steam, are suitable for lining vessels that cannot undergo pressurized steam curing. These linings are typically used in storage tanks, reactors, ion-exchange membrane plants, and high-temperature pipes.

Synthetic Rubber Linings

Several types of synthetic rubbers, such as chloroprene, butyl, chlorobutyl, and hypalon, are used in rubber linings:

• Chloroprene Rubber Linings: These linings are made from polyprene rubber and offer excellent resistance to weathering, ozone cracking, oil, acid, and abrasion. They are used in desalination plants, seawater piping, water boxes, and other specialized equipment.
• Butyl Rubber Linings: Known for their excellent chemical resistance at high temperatures, butyl rubber linings are durable due to low vapor permeability. These linings are used in vessels, pipes in acid plants, and transport systems for hypochlorite solutions.
• Chlorobutyl Rubber Linings: These linings are similar to butyl rubber but easier to apply and can withstand temperatures up to 200°F. They are also resistant to cold and rapid temperature changes.
• Hypalon Rubber Linings: Made from chloro-sulphonated polyethylene, hypalon rubber linings offer superb chemical resistance, particularly to strong acids at high concentrations. Available in pre-vulcanized forms, they are ideal for high-acid vessels, pipes, and hypochlorite service systems.
• EPDM Rubber Linings: EPDM rubber has high tensile strength and resistance to punctures, UV radiation, weathering, and microbial attacks. Its flexibility and low thermal expansion make it suitable for a range of applications, including pond linings, wastewater treatment facilities, and landfills.

At Globe Carbon Industries, we offer wholesale supply of rubber linings for large-scale requirements, including industrial and natural rubber linings. For bulk orders, feel free to send an inquiry and receive prompt responses from trusted rubber lining manufacturers and suppliers.

Applications of Rubber Linings

Rubber linings are commonly applied to the following:

• Tank Linings: Rail car tanks, acid tanks, plating tanks, and grease removal tanks.
• Mining Wear Parts: Protective linings for mining equipment.
• Chemical Industry: Storage tanks for hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, reaction vessels, heat exchangers, filtration equipment, condensers, piping, vibration mills, and more.
• Pre-Vulcanized Linings: Primarily for large, installed tanks.
• Unvulcanized Linings: For both shop and field applications.
• Self-Vulcanizing Sheets: Used for repair work and smaller installations.