What is abrasion in rubber?

Abrasion refers to the material loss at the surface of a component due to mechanical friction with other bodies, e.g. when sliding or rolling. In rubber and plastic technology, abrasion resistance is a key quality factor that describes how well a rubber material resists this wear. Particularly in Moulded rubber parts and Silicone moulded parts, e.g. the dynamically loaded components, Seals, Rollers, spring elements and Sealing lips this quality factor is decisive.

What factors influence abrasion?

Abrasion occurs due to the friction between two moving surfaces. On rough surfaces, bumps cut small particles off the rubber surface, which is also called abrasive wear. On smoother surfaces, the rubber surface becomes worn by repeated deformation until fine particles are released. At high levels of friction, rubber can also become smeared with small flakes, similar to sandpaper. Different rubber materials and composite parts such as e.g. Metal Composite Parts show different abrasion resistance depending on the formulation and operating conditions. Therefore, the selection of the right Rubber raw material decisive for the long-term function of the corresponding component.

Which elastomers are particularly resistant to abrasion?

In addition to the polymer, fillers, crosslinking and hardness determine the wear resistance of an elastomer. Reinforcing fillers such as carbon black or silica improve the wear resistance significantly. The contact surface, the pressing pressure, the sliding speed and the temperature also influence wear, which is why laboratory values primarily allow for comparison between materials.