Rubber & Polymer Technical Knowledge
Technical articles from Hamta Polymer engineers on materials, processes, standards and best practices in the rubber industry.
29 Articles
What Is an O-Ring? Complete Guide to Types, Materials & Applications (Silicone, EPDM, Viton, NBR)
What is an O-ring, how does it work, and which material (NBR, EPDM, Viton, Silicone) is best for each application? A complete guide with a comparison table.
Complete Guide to Rubber Seals: What's the Difference Between O-Rings, Oil Seals, Packing, and Gaskets?
What's the difference between an O-ring, oil seal, packing, and gasket? A complete guide to choosing the right rubber seal for your industrial project.
What Is an Oil Seal? Complete Guide to Types, Structure & Applications
What is an oil seal, what parts is it made of, and what types are available? A complete guide to choosing the right oil seal for rotating industrial shafts.
O-Ring vs. Gasket: Which Is Better for Sealing?
What's the difference between an O-ring and a rubber gasket in structure, application, and sealing performance? A selection guide with a full comparison table.
Oil Seal vs. O-Ring: Which One Fits Your Application?
What's the difference between an oil seal and an O-ring for sealing rotating shafts, and which application suits each? A complete guide with a comparison table.
Chemical & Acid-Resistant Rubber: Complete FKM vs EPDM vs NBR Comparison
Which rubber resists acid and chemicals best? See the FKM, EPDM, NBR and silicone comparison chart based on ASTM D471 test data.
Oil- and Fuel-Resistant Rubber: Best Materials for Gasoline, Diesel and Hydraulic Oil
What's the best oil- and fuel-resistant rubber? Compare NBR, FKM and polyurethane for gasoline, diesel and hydraulic oil.
NBR vs EPDM: What's the Difference and When Should You Use Each?
What's the difference between NBR and EPDM, and where does each perform best? See the comparison chart for oil, water and heat resistance.
Natural vs Synthetic Rubber: What's the Difference?
What's the difference between natural and synthetic rubber? See the comparison of abrasion resistance, tensile strength, chemical resistance and cost.
Silicone vs Viton: Comparing Heat-Resistant Rubber Above 180°C
Silicone or Viton for temperatures above 180°C? See the temperature range, ozone resistance and cost comparison.
Guide to FDA Sanitary Grade Rubber Parts for Food, Pharma and Cosmetic Industries
FDA sanitary grade rubber parts for food, pharma and cosmetics; which material is approved? FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, USP Class VI.
Difference Between Rubber and Polyurethane (PU): When Are Polyurethane Parts Cost-Effective?
Rubber vs polyurethane: PU has 3-10x higher abrasion resistance but lower heat resistance. When to use PU.
Causes of Leakage, Cracking and Drying of Rubber Parts: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Why does your O-ring or oil seal leak or crack? 7 common causes of failure from wrong material to compression set.
Proper Installation Checklist and Storage Principles for Rubber Parts: Triple Service Life
More than 40% of premature O-ring and oil seal failures are due to incorrect installation or improper storage.
Behind the Scenes of the Rubber Laboratory: 7 Critical Quality Control Tests
Discover 7 essential lab tests that guarantee quality of O-rings, oil seals and gaskets: hardness, compression set, oil resistance.
What Is Compression Set and Why Is It the Most Important Predictor of Seal Life?
What is Compression Set and how is it measured? A full guide to how it affects the service life of O-rings and rubber seals.
Rubber-to-Metal Bonding: The Process and Its Use in Industrial Bushings and Mounts
How does rubber-to-metal bonding work? See its use in industrial bushings, anti-vibration mounts, and supports.
Rubber Lining: A Corrosion-Resistant Solution for Tanks and Pipes
How does rubber lining protect industrial tanks and pipes from corrosion? See the guide to material selection and applications.
High-Pressure Industrial Rubber Hoses: Material and Construction Selection Guide
How do you choose a high-pressure industrial rubber hose? Full guide to construction, material and selection criteria for hydraulic systems.
Rubber Conveyor Belts: Types, Materials & Wear Resistance
What types of rubber conveyor belts are available, and which cover material fits your application? A complete guide to wear resistance and industrial belt selection.
Sealing in HPHT Conditions: Why HNBR and Viton Are the Stars of Oil & Gas
What challenges does HPHT sealing pose in the oil and gas industry? Why are HNBR and Viton (FKM) the top choices for high pressure and high temperature?
Choosing Heavy-Duty Rubber Parts for Processing Equipment: From Screen Mesh to Pelletizing Discs
What are the heavy-duty rubber parts used in mineral and steel processing equipment? A selection guide for screen mesh, screen lining, and pelletizing discs.
Custom Rubber Parts: Quote Request and Ordering Guide — From Drawing to Mold Production
Order custom industrial rubber parts — O-rings, oil seals, bushings, and seals — built to your drawing. Fast, free quote request.
What Is a Rubber Diaphragm? Material Selection Guide for Pumps, Valves and Regulators
How does a rubber diaphragm work and which material (NBR, EPDM, Viton, silicone, PTFE) is right for diaphragm pumps, control valves and regulators? Complete guide with selection table.
Automotive and Industrial Dust Boots (Bellows): Applications, Materials and Causes of Premature Tearing
What is a dust boot and why does it tear prematurely? Comparison of automotive and industrial materials, causes of early tearing, and selection criteria for CV joints, ball joints and hydraulic cylinders.
Rubber Shock Absorbers and Vibration Isolators: Selection Guide for Motors, Pumps and Machinery
What is the difference between a rubber shock absorber and a vibration isolator, and how do you select them by load, vibration frequency and material for motors, pumps and machinery? Complete technical guide.
Rubber Expansion Joints: Why They Outperform Metal in Industrial Piping
Comparison of rubber and metallic expansion joints in industrial pipelines; vibration absorption, corrosion, cost and temperature limits. Decision table and material selection guide.
Rubber vs Polyurethane Conveyor Rollers: Differences and Selection Criteria
What is the difference between rubber and polyurethane conveyor rollers and which is more suitable for heavy load or high speed? Complete selection guide for mining, steel and packaging.
The Impact of Shore A Hardness on Industrial Rubber Parts: Selection & QC Guide
How does Shore A durometer impact sealing, abrasion and extrusion resistance in rubber parts? Engineering selection guide per ASTM D2240 with a selection matrix.