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stumped
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2

Repairing Rubber

09/14/2013 4:25 PM

I wonder if someone could provide the following advice.

I have a medical-rubber mat 6"x 20" that has small acupuncture nails
(made of zinc, copper, etc) embedded in it which protrude on one side for the
purpose of mild acupuncture. They do not actually pierce the skin.

The rubberized portion has begun to disintegrate slightly on the edges & I
would like to repair it so that it may not deteriorate further. Could you
suggest some strong LIQUID glue/resin/epoxy/substance/adhesive that I could
apply or soak the entire mat-base in (& perhaps the top as well), and which after
curing, would remain highly flexible like the original rubber?

I thank you for your time.

sincerely
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Pathfinder Tags: rubber glue repair flexible adhesive
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lyn
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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#1

Re: Repairing rubber

09/14/2013 4:43 PM

"medical-rubber mat" is too general for meaningful help.

Picture, or better, the brand name and model number would help.

There are many types of flexible "rubber" out there. Elastomer is a more modern term, but still very generic.

Details please.
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stumped
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 2
#6
In reply to #1

Re: Repairing rubber

09/15/2013 11:47 AM

Please forgive the poor quality jpgs. I only had an old Nokia phone to take them with. Thanks to all who responded.

Hope this helps.
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lyn
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#8
In reply to #6

Re: Repairing rubber

09/15/2013 4:02 PM

Well,

The red color reminds me iron oxide filled silicone rubber.

RTV 60

It's not cheap, at all.

Buy a new mat.
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SolarEagle
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#2

Re: Repairing Rubber

09/14/2013 6:00 PM

I don't know about medical use, but this stuff might work.....I would do a little experimentation first though....

http://www.amazon.com/BlueMagic-950-Pure-Rubber-Coating/dp/B000CCFY9S/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1379195572&sr=1-2&keywords=rubber+spray#productDetails

This stuff might be a little more durable....

http://www.amazon.com/Performix-PLASTI-Mulit-Purpose-Rubber-Coating/dp/B005LDCXXS/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1379195921&sr=1-5&keywords=rubber+spray

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old salt
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#3

Re: Repairing Rubber

09/14/2013 11:04 PM

Stumped-

Having worked in a chemical/adhesive plant during my career, with accountability for a development lab, I recommend you forget any answers from this forum. The only ones you should even consider are those from someone with a long career and extensive knowledge of rubber cements. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of formulas for rubber type cements. Life has gone much further than the old latex and hexane rubber cement used to hold patches on car and bicycle tires/tubes.

Your best approach would be to contact the customer services, technical services, or similar of several adhesive manufacturers. Give them a description of you needs and ask if they have a product for that application. If one company doesn't have any, ask them if they know who might. They will probably be very courteous and lead you in the right direction. Rubber cements/products are too numerous and specialized to do a search any other way.

A few places to start with include: National Starch; Henkel; H B Fuller; and Loc-tite.

Also try Glue-Fast in New York City and Borden (Chemical ?) in Columbus, Ohio.

A Google search of "Rubber cement manufacturers" or "Rubber Cement Suppliers" might also help.

Good Luck, Old Salt

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Original_Macgyver
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#4

Re: Repairing Rubber

09/15/2013 12:51 AM

I'm going to give you my professional opinion. I started my working career as a mold maker for a company that did custom molding and fabrication of rubber parts of all shapes and sizes. Here is my opinion: 1. If you are using this mat in a medical type field, wouldn't it be nice for your clients to see something in either new or like new condition? 2. Why don't you order a new mat? 3. Even if you do a really good job of repairing the mat, it is still going to look unprofessional. 4. You're probably going to spend as much on the repair as a new mat. 5. I would suggest you find a company in your area that sells rubber matting, show them the mat and have them suggest a replacement type marerial and buy several sheets?

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phoenix911
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#5

Re: Repairing Rubber

09/15/2013 8:52 AM

Probably oxidizing, it life is coming to an end.

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phph001
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#7

Re: Repairing Rubber

09/15/2013 3:29 PM

Erm, even if you are certain that acupuncture works, which is a moot point, it does not work until the needle pierces the skin and does something to the meridians.
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lyn (2); old salt (1); Original_Macgyver (1); phoenix911 (1); phph001 (1); SolarEagle (1); stumped (1)

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