Elastomers vulcanization is one of the manufacturing processes you are told about. It’s our expertise and know-how you can rely on it. Do you know what is exactly vulcanization? What does this process bring to you product? We explain to you.
What’s elastomers vulcanization?
Elastomers vulcanization is one of the manufacturing processes used since the creation of Pronal. This is one of the fundamental steps in the manufacture of your products for high pressure.
We cook several fabrics’ layer one above the other.
Among vulcanized products, you can find lifting bags, flexible tanks for hydrocarbons, smartshore, and inflatable pipe plugs.
Which machine is used for vulcanization?
We use a vacuum autoclave, 21 m length, 2m width, it’s one the biggest in Europe. Thanks to its internal volume we are able to manufacture very big and long products in one piece.
Which are the steps of this process?
First of all, our laboratory chooses fabrics that will be bound during the process. The fabrics must be compatible between them. We analyze the compatibility of fabrics upon several elements :
- temperature: same behavior at the same temperature,
- pressure: the creep must be equal in order to get a perfect bond,
- and time.
Secondly, our operator put different layers of raw materials, these layers will do “the skin” of product once they will be cooked. Then it is cooked in our vacuum autoclave, timing, pressure, temperature for cooking depend on the number of layers.
What’s the advantage of vulcanization according other processes?
Vulcanization is not the only process, there is also high-frequency welding.
With this process, we compress fabrics thanks to a heating press. We need to use special fabrics for HFW. Indeed the “product’s skin” is like cooking for a second time. The product would get old earlier and create weaknesses. So our vacuum autoclave is the one we prefer for most of our products.
That’s why elastomers vulcanization is the best way to manufacture elastomeric products. For 59 years, Pronal has owned this know-how, knowledge, thanks to this we are able to manufacture high-quality products.
If you are interested in learning more about our know-how, feel free to read our article about our laboratory.