Rubber sheets are flat sheets of uniform thickness, sold on rolls of specific lengths. Different thicknesses and types of rubber are used for different purposes. Cutting tools vary depending on thickness, and proper handling and storage are important to maintain usability.
Rubber sheets are molded rubber into flat sheets with a uniform thickness and are often sold on a roll of a specific length for easy handling. Common rubber sheet thicknesses range from superthin foil to 1/4 inch (6.53 mm) thick; the thickness of the slab combined with the type of rubber used in the slab determine its use. Once the type of material is known, rubber cutting tools are used to cut different shapes from the sheet to form gaskets. Gaskets cut from rubber sheets prevent fluids and gases from entering products or keep them contained within tanks or low temperature mechanical systems.
Tools designed for straight cutting rubber sheets vary according to the thickness of the material. Sharp scissors and utility knives cleanly cut rubber sheets less than 3/4 inch (19.05 mm) thick. Larger stamping press type cutters are required to cut thicker rubber sheets. A clean, clean cut through the rubber sheets is vital to the success of the finished gasket’s ability to seal the area between parts. Cutting small holes in a rubber sheet requires tools that remove the rubber from the area rather than piercing the material from the sheet.
Leather punches starting at 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) in diameter and larger are used with hammer cut circular shapes or mallets in a rubber sheet. The thickness of the rubber sheet determines the amount of force required to drive the cutting edge of the punch through the rubber sheet. Using drill bits in an attempt to punch holes in a sheet of rubber causes the rubber to heat up and bind to the drill bit’s slotted shaft, tearing the area around the hole. Mishandling of the rubber sheet also leads to brittleness and eventual tears on the sheet surface. Proper handling techniques prolong the life of the rubber sheet both before and after cutting.
Neoprene and other dark-colored rubber sheets break down when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Keeping the rubber sheet out of direct sunlight ensures that the bonds in the rubber sheet don’t break and allow the rubber to become brittle. Cracks across the surface of a rubber sheet are the first sign that the rubber has broken down and become unusable. Chemicals and petroleum products also break the bonds in a rubber sheet and cause the sheet to weaken and become brittle. Proper storage of a rubber sheet ensures that the rubber remains usable.
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