The rubber industry involves handling a variety of thick, abrasive, and chemically aggressive fluids throughout production processes such as compounding, blending, curing, and finishing. Pumps must transfer viscous rubber compounds, latex, solvents, and additives with precision, while withstanding high temperatures and demanding operating conditions. Reliability, flow control, and material compatibility are essential to maintain product quality and efficient manufacturing.
1. Raw Material and Compound Transfer
Viscous and dense rubber compounds present challenges for most pump types.
Natural and synthetic rubber, along with additives like plasticisers, carbon black, and oils, must be pumped into mixing and blending equipment. These materials tend to be sticky, abrasive, and difficult to transfer without blockages.
Progressive cavity, peristaltic, and lobe pumps are commonly used here due to their ability to move viscous products with minimal pulsation and low risk of clogging. Their gentle action helps prevent product degradation while ensuring consistent material flow.
2. Latex Handling and Circulation
Maintaining latex integrity requires precision and low-shear technology.
Latex is highly shear-sensitive and prone to contamination. It must be circulated and transferred without introducing bubbles or compromising its chemical structure. Diaphragm pumps and peristaltic pumps are ideal for these tasks due to their gentle pumping action.
These pump types ensure smooth handling during processes like sheet forming or glove manufacturing, helping preserve product consistency and reduce material loss.
3. Additive and Filler Dosing
Accurate dosing of chemicals and fillers is critical to rubber product quality.
During compounding, chemicals such as sulphur, accelerators, and softeners must be added in tightly controlled amounts. Errors in dosing can lead to product inconsistencies or even batch failure.
Metering pumps provide the high precision and repeatability required in these processes. Their controlled flow rates enable accurate chemical blending to maintain consistent rubber properties across production runs.