The difference between foam rubber vs. sponge rubber begins with ingredients, continues through the material manufacturing process, and extends to molecular structure. Although the terms “foam rubber” and “sponge rubber” are sometimes used interchangeably, these elastomers have differences that may not be readily apparent. Moreover, sponge rubber and foam rubber are used in different types of sealing and insulation applications.

If you don’t understand how foam rubber vs. sponge rubber are made and used, you risk choosing a material that permits leaking, provides inadequate cushioning, or that won’t withstand the environment. The rubber may also shrivel up, become brittle, or lose compressibility. By choosing a compound based on MTAP, an abbreviation for material, temperature, application and pressure, engineers can meet requirements beyond whether just foam rubber vs. sponge rubber needs to be used.

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Window gaskets provide sealing and insulation and can help hold window glass in place. They are made of rubber materials and installed along the edges of stationary windows such as the windshields for agricultural, forestry, and mining equipment. Window gaskets are also used with the viewing windows on machine or equipment enclosures. Because they are industrial rubber products, window gaskets like these do not include the flocked seals that are used in cars with moveable glass.

In this design and installation guide from Elasto Proxy, you’ll read about different types of window gaskets and some commonly used gasket materials. You’ll also learn about rubber part tolerances – a common source of confusion in many gasket designs. In addition, this article highlights the importance of three measurements: window glass thickness, window glass length, and gasket length. Finally, you’ll learn how to order and install locking gaskets for your sealing and insulation application.

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Rubber gaskets fail for a variety of reasons. MTAP, an acronym that helps engineers design better gaskets, explains four common causes of gasket failure. If you want better rubber seals, design them with media (M), temperature (T), application (A), and pressure (P) in mind. Otherwise, you risk sealing failures that can have expensive, inconvenient, dangerous, or even tragic consequences.

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This Door Seal Design Guide provides engineers with an overview of six factors to consider when designing door gaskets for any industry. Whether you need seals for mobile equipment, ovens, tablet coating presses, gensets, or electronic enclosures, you’ll find what you need to get started.

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Kitting and assembly packaging are related processes that can help your company to increase efficiency, cut costs, minimize risks, and reduce manufacturing waste. The benefits of kitting and assembly packaging are clear, but how well do you understand the differences between these processes? Even more importantly, how can you implement them at your facility for custom fabricated products? Let’s start with the basics and move to the benefits.

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