Rubber Coating
category
Rubber coating applies natural rubber (NR) or synthetic rubber (neoprene CR, nitrile NBR, EPDM) compounds onto textile substrates via calender spreading or solution coating (15–25% solids in hexane or toluene). Vulcanization at 140–160°C for 10–20 minutes with sulfur or peroxide crosslinkers achieves tensile strength of 15–25 MPa and elongation of 300–600%. Coat weight ranges from 100–800 g/m². Neoprene-coated nylon is used for drysuits (2–7 mm), industrial hoses, and conveyor belts. NBR coatings provide oil resistance tested per ASTM D471. Market size for rubber-coated textiles exceeds $3.2 billion globally.
Role
Provides superior elasticity, abrasion resistance, and chemical barrier properties for industrial hoses, conveyor belts, inflatable rescue craft, and protective diving equipment requiring repeated flexing without delamination.