The processing principles of rubber flooring are a science and technology that studies and explores the properties, processing, and applications of rubber. It involves the interpenetration and application of multiple disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, polymer physics, polymer chemistry, and chemical engineering, serving as a bridge between fundamental theories and the processing and use of rubber. The processing principles of rubber flooring describe the process of transforming simple raw materials into rubber products with specific properties and shapes.
Regardless of the type of rubber product, it must undergo two processes: mixing and vulcanization. For many rubber products, such as hoses, belts, and tires, calendering and extrusion are also required. For raw rubber with high Mooney viscosity, plasticizing is also necessary. Therefore, the most basic and important processing steps in rubber processing include the following stages:
1) Plasticizing: Reducing the molecular weight of raw rubber, increasing plasticity, and improving processability.
2) Mixing: Mixing the various components in the formula evenly to form a compound rubber.
3) Calendering: The process of producing semi-finished products of specific specifications from compounded rubber or rubber compounded with reinforcing materials such as textiles and steel wire through processes such as sheeting, molding, lamination, rubbing, and bonding.
4) Extrusion: The process of extruding compounded rubber into semi-finished products of various cross-sections through die-cutting, such as inner tubes, treads, sidewalls, and hoses.
5) Vulcanization: The final step in rubber processing, involving cross-linking of rubber macromolecules through a chemical reaction under specific temperature, pressure, and time conditions.
