Many types of tires, for all tastes and needs
There are different types of tires and each of them boasts distinct properties and characteristics. These differences mean that one product is good for one use and another is better suited for other purposes.
The first distinction to be made in this case is the following: to date there are two main types of rubbers available, natural and synthetic ones. The latter are then divided into groups which include materials with similar characteristics, in particular in terms of chemical composition. Let’s go into detail and find out what you should know about the best known and used solutions in the different sectors for the production of various items.
Natural rubbers
As anticipated, between the two main types of tires currently available to industries, we find the natural one. It is a completely vegetable product, which is obtained mainly from the latex of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. This latex is treated and undergoes numerous processes, until it becomes the rubber we know.
This material is very performing from a mechanical point of view. However, it also appears as a very fragile product when in contact with some chemical elements and when exposed to too high temperatures. It is also heavily affected by thermal excursions, which greatly affect the seal of natural rubber. Precisely for these reasons, other types of tires have been developed, able to guarantee what this product cannot offer.
The types of synthetic rubber
When we talk about synthetic rubbers we refer to products that obviously have been created through the combination of different materials and substances. The base from which we start is that of hydrocarbon, which is produced through the processing of an artificial latex. Subsequently, thanks to the addition of other elements, many types of tires can be made. Each of them is created through a different mix of components and materials. Therefore, they are different products with different properties.
These synthetic materials are very resistant. They do not undergo variations in the face of changes in temperature and offer an elasticity that allows them to be used successfully in many sectors of industry. The types of synthetic rubbers are divided into five different product groups, classified by a different letter: M, O, Q, R and U. Group O, for example, contains synthetic latex and oxygen. The tires that fall into the U group are instead made with a mix of synthetic latex, nitrogen, carbon and oxygen.
Types of tires: which is the best?
If you are wondering which type of rubber is better than the others, you will hardly find a single answer. In fact, there are no more performing types of tires: simply, each one is more suitable for a different use. For example, natural rubber is used for the creation of mechanically performing products and for food products and in contact with the skin. Synthetic ones, on the other hand, are exploited for the production of most of the products of daily and industrial use, in the presence of conditions that make natural rubber unusable or inadvisable.
Silicone rubbers, of synthetic origin, are used for the creation of VERY heat-resistant items, such as gaskets for ovens or in machinery with hot working for glass, for example, or for kitchen tools.
Many types of synthetic rubbers are used for the production of industrial items such as gaskets, sleeves, bellows, rings and suction cups. You will find some examples of these uses directly on our website. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.