Our Blog - Rubbersmart

April 10, 2018

Updated D fender Stock & Prices

New D Fender Stock Available Now

Here at RubberSmart we have a wide range of hollow D fender stock available for immediate delivery. We have sizes available from 24mm width to 250mm width, in order to ensure that we are able to provide a product for any application. We ship these fenders direct to you from our warehouse in Romsey, Hampshire. This ensures that you are able to receive your order within a few days and also allows us to quality check each fender before dispatch.

Excellent Value For Money

We constantly check our prices against our competitors, in order to ensure that our D fender stock offers the cheapest price available for the quality of the product. You may be able to find a similar product cheaper on Ebay or similar auction websites however the quality is poor which reflects the price. Ordering from RubberSmart gives you peace of mind, knowing that we have experts who have been in the rubber industry for over 75 years. We only use the highest quality material available, which ensures that you get a product which can protect against a wide range of impacts. This also ensures that you get a product which is built to last, which means it will need replacing less often than the cheaper alternatives.

High Quality Protection

In order to ensure that our range of D fender stock is able to withstand heavy and frequent impacts we carefully pick the perfect materials for the job. We manufacture these fenders from a natural rubber / SBR compound due to the unique features the material offers. Natural rubber offers excellent resistance to friction as well as weathering. This enables the fender to be in constant use, and also ensures that the fender is able to function in a wide variety of environments. The SBR compound gives the material superior tensile strength and tear resistance. This allows the fender to compress under pressure in order to absorb heavy impacts without warping or deteriorating.

If you are unsure which particular fender is best suited to your unique requirements, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.

Click here to view our full range of hollow rubber D fender products.

February 23, 2018

Fenders For A Variety Of Applications

What Are Fenders?

Rubber fenders are manufactured from a variety of different compounds and come in a range of shapes and sizes depending on the application. Users typically attach them to the side of their property or an object to protect against potential damage from impacts. There are many different methods to install fenders and it usually depends on the size and shape of the fender.

Although many fenders come in different shapes and sizes the most common type of fender which people would immediately recognise are the “D” type fenders. This type of fender features heavily in marine applications, particularly on the side of boats. The point of this post is to identify the potential applications which can benefit from the use of fenders.

Marine Applications

Anyone who owns a boat will tell you it is not a cheap lifestyle and sea vessels, much like houses are an investment. As the currents can often be unpredictable it is crucial that owners take every step possible to protect their boat and the contents from damage. Fenders provide a protective barrier to give you a larger margin of error when coming into contact with rocks, walls as well as other boats. A key feature of fenders are it’s ability to compress under pressure which enable it to absorb heavy impacts and transfer the kinetic energy away from the boat.

Larger sea vessels like cargo ships for example require larger size fenders to accommodate the size and weight of the ship. These sort of ships benefit from large cylindrical fenders which are available in sizes up to 2700mm diameter. We normally suggest installing these fenders using the suspended installation method. This enables the fender to move around freely as it comes into contact with another object, providing protection to the areas which need it most.

For smaller and private sea vessels TPE rubber fenders have become increasingly popular over recent years. This is due to the unique properties that TPE offers. TPE fenders offer most, if not all of the same protective qualities as other rubber fenders but also features non marking properties. This is a particularly useful quality for use on sea vessels as many boats are white and so show marks easily. It is important to note that coloured variants of other rubber compounds are also non marking but are typically only available as a special order.

Industrial Applications

With thousands of lorries and heavy goods vehicles coming in and out of warehouses on a daily basis it is highly probable that every now and then accidents will occur. Fenders once again provide a protective barrier to protect the property as well as the contents from damage. The wide range of shapes and sizes of fenders available ensure that you have a product which is suitable for your unique requirements.

Smaller fenders are ideal for applications which require space sensitive protection. These fenders are typically wider in design which still grants them a large surface area to absorb heavy impacts. We are also able to produce fenders with welded corners which enables it easily cover 90 degree angles. This is particularly important for applications which require complete, seamless protection.

For customers who request it we can also pre cut and drill fenders to provide a fast, simple installation solution with a clean finish. This is great for permanent installations and enables the fender to be in constant use without moving or coming loose. Many of the fenders we offer are resistant to a wide range of chemicals which means that maintenance is easy.

The Rubber Company offer a wide range of fender products in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit any application. As well as the products we offer as standard we are happy to produce custom fenders to ensure you get the perfect product to match your unique requirements.

If you are unsure about which shape, size or material compound is most suitable for your needs please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.

Click here to view our full range of rubber fender products.

February 16, 2018

Gym Rubber Flooring Solutions

What Is Gym Flooring?

We often use the term “gym flooring” to refer to a range of products which we design and manufacture specifically for use in gyms. We manufacture using a range of rubber compounds in both tile and mat format to ensure we have a product that meets your unique requirements. You can install our range of gym flooring solutions on a variety of surfaces, using adhesive for a permanent solution or laid loose for a easy to install and remove system.

We craft each rubber flooring product we offer for use in specific applications. This ensures that the product you get is designed as well as manufactured for that specific purpose in mind. Available in a wide range of sizes, colours, materials and heights. Our gym matting is suitable for commercial, home gyms and workout centres. Our extensive high quality offerings of gym mats and rubber gym flooring are affordable, durable and resilient. We construct our range of gym matting from environmentally friendly materials and is also PVC free.

How Is It Better Than Standard Flooring?

The difference that our gym flooring options make in comparison to carpet or hard flooring are like night a day. Anyone who has been to a commercial gym has no doubt heard the various thuds and bangs which come as a result of people dropping weights on the floor. As the specific purpose of the weights are to be heavy, it would come as no surprise that the constant impact of the weights hitting the floor can damage the floor as well as the weights themselves. Our range of gym flooring solutions provide a protective barrier on the floor which absorbs most if not all impacts in order to protect the surface from damage. In built up areas this feature is particularly important as the flooring also reduces sound levels, which i’m sure your neighbors will be thankful for.

Aside from the protective properties our gym flooring offers, they also help you get the most out of your workout. The softer surfaces provides superior anti-fatigue properties which puts less strain on your heart as well as joints. This enables you to train harder, for longer, without fear of damaging your body.

Maintenance is also much easier. A key feature of rubber is it’s resistance to a wide variety of chemicals. This enables you to spray and wipe down the mats and tiles to quickly provide a clean, sterile environment. The mats and tiles are easy to install and remove, enabling you change the design and layout with ease. Our rubber mats are easy to cut which allows you to install them in even the most complex areas.

The Different Types Of Gym Flooring We Offer

Crossfit Rubber Tiles:

We manufacture our high quality crossfit rubber tiles exclusively in the UK. This product is particularly popular for use in crossfit gyms, hence the name “crossfit rubber tiles”. However, this product is ideal for use in any gym large as well as small. We make our crossfit rubber tiles using an environmentally friendly process from recycled truck tyres. Our crossfit tiles are highly durable, able to withstand the frequent impact of weights for a long period of time. This product is suitable for use in free weight areas as well as underneath fitness machines. We are also able to dye these tiles to produce in a terracotta red or green colour.

Click here to find out more about our crossfit rubber tiles.

Studded Rubber Matting:

Our studded rubber matting is perfect for use in free weight areas due to the excellent impact absorbing properties the product offers. This matting provides superior protection to the surface underneath, as the rubber studs compress under pressure to deflect the weight away from the surface. This product is ideal for use in both private and commercial gyms as the mats provide a layer of sound absorption from the dropping of weights as well as noisy machinery. This product is also relatively low maintenance, being easy to clean with a wide variety of equipment. Rubber offers resistance to a range of chemicals and helps to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Click here to find out more about our studded rubber matting.

Here at RubberSmart we offer a wide range of gym flooring solutions to suit a variety applications and environments. We can supply and manufacture various mat and tile sizes as well as thicknesses. This ensures that you get the perfect product to match your requirements.

If you are unsure about what product is most suitable for your needs please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.

Click here to view our full rubber gym matting range.

February 9, 2018

How To Choose The Right Stable Matting

What Is Stable Matting?

We manufacture and supply mats specifically for use in equine, stable as well as agricultural applications, we call this range of products stable matting. We design a range of mats to suit a wide variety of applications and environments. In order to get the most out of your stable matting it is important to select the correct mat as there are many to choose from. Here at RubberSmart we have had many years experience manufacturing and supply rubber mats all over the world. This has given us a lot of experience in to what types of stable mats are best for each specific requirement.

As with all types of rubber matting there are a few key factors which you need to look out for to ensure you get the more suitable mats for your unique needs. Anti-fatigue properties are one of the most important qualities these mats can have. Other properties such as a non slip surface and liquid and dirt run off channels also contribute to make great stable matting.

How Is It Better Than Hard Flooring?

Animals spend 90% off their day standing on their four legs and in some cases, certain animals even sleep standing up. On a grassy or natural surface this doesn’t pose much of an issue to the animal. However, much like us, the strain of standing on a hard surface for a long period of time can cause circulation problems and puts unnecessary pressure on their joints. Our range of stable matting has been proven to reduce the strain on the animals heart and joints, ensuring a healthier as well as happier animal. Unlike humans, it can be hard to tell when an animal is in pain or discomfort so it is important to do everything you can to provide a safe, relaxing environment for them.

Click here to find out more about the benefits of anti-fatigue mats.

Stable matting is also more hygienic and much easier to maintain than hard flooring. The rubber mats help to prevent the spread of germs and certain mats have channels to draw any waste and debris away from the animals. Cleaning the mats couldn’t be easier, simply remove the mats from the stable or transport vehicle and hose down. We design the mats to lay flat on the surface without the need for adhesive to provide a fast and simple installation solution.

The Different Types Of Stable Matting We Offer

Stable Rubber Matting:

Our Stable Rubber Matting is a moulded rubber mat with an attractive, anti-slip ‘cobbled’ design on the top side and studded pattern on reverse to facilitate drainage (or wide ribbed bottom). Shown to improve insulation, keeping your animals warmer and safer during the winter months. Providing a softer surface for the animals to walk and sleep on also means that you can reduce the amount of bedding needed by up to 80%. As well as excellent drainage, the studded underside of the mats provide great gripping. Ensuring that they do not move underfoot.

Click here to find out more about our stable rubber matting.

Studded Rubber Matting Stable Mat:

This anti-fatigue rubber matting provides comfort underfoot for animals and can prevent injury from strain of standing on a hard surface. This rubber matting also provides an extra layer of insulation on the stable or transport vehicle floor. This can help keep the animals warmer particularly in the winter months. A key feature of this particular stable mat is its superior life expectancy. Unlike some of the other stable mats we offer you can use this mat on both sides, so when one side starts to deteriorate simply flip the mats over.

Click here to find out more about our studded rubber matting.

Wye Matting:

Despite not being a specific anti-fatigue mat, our Wye matting does possess good anti-fatigue and comfort properties. The top surface also has a non slip finish which makes it safer for use when wet. What sets this matting apart from the other options we offer is the excellent drainage it offers. The series of holes with the drainage channels help to guide liquid as well as debris off the surface of the mat. This makes it easier to clean and also provides a safer environment for the animals.

Click here to find out more about our drainable Wye mats.

RubbaGrass Protection Mats:

Suitable for use on grassy or soft surfaces our RubbaGrass mats provide a permanent solution. RubbaGrass will protect not only the animals but the ground beneath them as well. Our RubbaGrass mats are highly versatile which enable you to use them in a wide variety of applications and environments. They are also highly durable and can easily withstand heavy footfall for a long period of time without deterioration.

Click here to find out more about our RubbaGrass protection mats.

How Do You Use Stable Matting?

It is down to your individual needs as to how you use our stable mats. You can use our range of stable matting in indoor as well as outdoor applications. You can also use our stable mats in transport vehicles for superior safety for the animals. Some of our customers prefer to permanently fix the mats to the ground surface. However, we typically suggest laying the mats loose as this allows for easier maintenance.

If you have any questions regarding any of our stable mats, please don’t hesitate to get into contact with us. We are always happy to help.

January 26, 2018

RubbaGrass Pathway Matting

What Is RubbaGrass?

RubbaGrass is our exclusive line of outdoor grass matting. It is a highly versatile and resilient product which our customers use for a wide variety of applications all over the world. This particular product is top of the line when it comes to offering unrivaled protection to both grass and the ground below. Despite being a high quality product we manufacture all of the RubbaGrass mats from recycled rubber using environmentally sustainable methods. The uses for this matting is only limited to your imagination. However, we find that our customers typically use this product to product grass and soil surfaces.

What Are The Benefits?

During the winter months (or indeed any time of the year) in England we face frequent and often heavy rain fall. Grassy pathways are particularly vulnerable to becoming boggy and as they are often in use the grass deteriorates until only soil remains. Aside from being unattractive to look at the pathways can also pose potential slipping hazards. Our RubbaGrass mats provide a safe, anti slip walking surface to ensure you get from point A to point B with minimal risk. They also promote the healthy growth of grass while preserving the structure of the soil. This means that when the Spring months come around you can choose to remove the RubbaGrass mats and enjoy a healthy looking walkway. However, we always suggest keeping the mats in place to ensure maximum safety and protection.

Key Features

Safe, non slip surface
Highly durable
Grass and soil protection
Reduces build up of water
Sustainable manufacturing
Maintains natural appearance
Able to mow grass with mats in place

How Do You Use The Pathway Matting?

Installing the RubbaGrass couldn’t be easier. Simply lay the mats down and attach to the ground using fixing pegs, you can connect multiple mats together using cable ties to create a stable, seamless surface. Once installation is complete they require very little maintenance, which enables you to get back to using your walkway safely. You don’t need to remove the mats to maintain the grass either! We design the mats to allow you to use lawn mowers and cut the grass without damaging the mats. Simply raise the blades up a few centimeters to clear the mat and cut any grass poking through the top.

Click here to find out more about our RubbaGrass pathway mats.

January 19, 2018

Anti Fatigue Mats Buyers Guide

What Are Anti Fatigue Mats?

For the majority of people, anti fatigue mats don’t look particularly interesting of distinguishable from other types of rubber matting. They are typically around a metre wide by a one or two metres long. However, despite their ordinal appearance anti fatigue mats help to reduce the strain on muscles and joints to increase concentration while simultaneously reducing fatigue.

Who Uses Anti Fatigue Mats?

Anti fatigue mats play a crucial role in many industries, to increase productivity while also preserving the health of staff. Jobs which require their staff to be on their feet for the majority of the day can all benefit from the use of anti fatigue mats. Some examples of such industries are; bar / kitchen staff, warehouse workers, assembly line and many more.

How Do They Work?

Standing for long periods of time on a hard surface is not only uncomfortable but also causes physical fatigue. As the leg muscles become static overtime, the muscles have to work harder to sustain that upright position. This reduces blood flow which causes physical as well as mental strain and discomfort, which reduces productivity and overall morale.

In this case the employees’ heart has to work harder to pump blood which, in turn burns more energy. Aside from the strain on the heart, the leg muscles, particularly the ones around the knee are constantly tense. This will put additional pressure on the joints which can cause strain over long periods of time.

If you then introduce an anti fatigue mat into this scenario the strain is greatly reduced. The subtle flexibility of the anti fatigue mat encourages the users to adjust their feet and legs which enables the muscles to contract and expand. This muscle movement however slight it may be, increases the blood flow and the amount of oxygen which reaches the heart. This greatly reduces fatigue and ensures that the brain remains sharp at all times.

Key Factors To Look Out For

Firmness:

It is not a case of simply installing a soft mat as a rubber mat which is too sort or hard will still cause strain. Tests show that the ideal firmness of an anti fatigue mat is between 0.6 and 0.9 Mpa. This firmness is just enough to compress slightly underfoot without bending completely.

Mats which are too hard can cause the user to stand too rigidly, which can lead to potential blood clots in the legs as they are unable to move comfortably. Equally, the user will likely move too much when the mat is too soft, which can affect the posture of their body. This can cause discomfort to the knees, ankles and hips while also attributing to back pain later on in life.

Rubber content:

The ideal ratio of ethylene content in the mat should range from 45% to 85%. The higher the ethylene percentage, the harder the mat will be underfoot. Essentially, the mat should be able to instantly return to its original shape once any weight or pressure is moved from one side to the other. If the ethylene content is not high enough the mat will take longer to return to its original shape. This can result in an uneven walking surface which can pose potential tripping hazards.

Low maintenance:

The design on the top surface of the anti fatigue mats typically feature ridges and indents which can collect dirt and debris after use. To ensure the anti fatigue mats functions to its full potential you may want to clean it once or twice a week depending on usage. In order to ensure the mat doesn’t deteriorate during use it is important to chose a mat which is manufactured from easy to clean materials, such as a closed cell foam. This particular material is also excellent at withstanding long periods of use without deteriorating.

Click here to view our full range of anti fatigue mats.

January 12, 2018

Understanding Shore Hardness

What Is Shore Hardness?

Something you will see us talk about on a lot of our products is the shore hardness value of the material. Different hardness values are more suitable for certain products than others and understanding this can help ensure you get the perfect product for your needs. This post is going to talk you through the way people calculate shore hardness and how this separates products.

Different Hardness Types

The first thing you will probably notice is that the hardness is split into different types. There are 12 different hardness types in total with each type having it’s own scale from 0 – 100. This essentially means that a full hardness scale can have 1200 different values. However, it is important to note that a lot of the hardness types aren’t commonly used in rubber products. The main shore hardness types we use in our products are Shore (A), Shore (D) and Shore (00).

Shore (00): Comprised predominantly of soft materials, highly flexible materials such as sponge.

Shore (A): Has a wide hardness range. Is able to be used in extremely soft materials and extremely hard materials. Products such as rubber fenders benefit from being solid to touch but can also compress under pressure.

Shore (D): Used exclusively in firm products, due to it’s solid construction. Hard hats benefit from the superior hardness that shore D offers.

Shore Hardness Comparison Chart

From the chart above you can see that there is some overlap between the shore hardness types. However, it is always important to consider the application when selecting a hardness type. For example, Shore (A) 60° is the same as Shore (D) 0° but this doesn’t mean that materials would have the same properties. So manufacturing a fender out of a Shore (D) material would reduce the flexibility of the fender and reduce it’s impact absorption properties.

To Put It Simply

In order to make it easier to remember shore hardness can be split up like this;

The earlier the letter comes in the alphabet – The softer the material

The lower the hardness number – The softer the material.

We are more than happy to assist with any shore hardness queries you may have. It is always important to get the right material to suit the application.

October 13, 2017

Rubber Moulding Types and Processes

Rubber Moulding Made RubberSmart

Here at RubberSmart we have had some customers ask us how we make some of our rubber products. This post is going to take you through the three most popular rubber moulding processes and they best suit different products.

The two key factors that all of these processes have in common is that they all utilise heat and pressure. Uncured rubber material is compressed in a mould for a specific period of time. This forces the rubber to fill the shape of the cavity, thus creating the desired shape.

This gives us essentially limitless production possibilities, allowing us to manufacture a wide range of rubber products. From small to large parts, one offs and large quantity runs. We make them all to your specific requirements.

Compression Moulding

The compression process finds common use in rubber moulding due to it’s simplicity and faster production times. To begin with, a piece of blank uncured rubber is placed in centre of the mould referred to as the cavity. Then we press the two parts of the mould together, applying varying amounts of heat and pressure in order to induce a process called vulcanisation. During the vulcanisation process the rubber compound will fill the cavity. Giving you a product that meets your specific requirements. Finally we wait for the rubber to cool and stabilise before opening the mould and removing the product.

Typically this technique is ideal for use when the end product is a simple shape. This allows us to complete low to medium production volumes in a relatively low period of time.

Transfer Moulding

The transfer moulding process may look similar at first to compression moulding. However, the transfer mould tool is more complicated in design which allows us to create more complex shapes. This time we place the raw rubber compound into a pot, which is essentially an open space above the cavity. The mould is closed and locked leaving only the cavity space open. Then a piston will come down on top of the pot forcing the rubber through a series of transfer holes into the closed cavity. While in the cavity we apply heat in order to induce the vulcanisation process.

We typically use transfer moulding for making more complex shapes. As the moulding process is longer than compression moulding we normally use this technique for low to medium production runs.

Injection Moulding

Injection moulding offers one significant difference compared to the first two techniques. It has the ability to be fully automated, reducing the need for skilled operatives to watch over the whole process. Injection moulding requires rubber compound strips to be fed into the injection unit. The injection unit heats the material and injects it into the closed mould tool. Once again, we apply heat in order to create vulcanisation and the process is complete.

Automation enables this process to be perfect for high volume production runs. The moulding tools are generally more complex than compression moulds but the automation of the process keeps prices down.

Click here to view our full range of rubber fenders

Click here to view our full range of rubber extrusions and seals

October 6, 2017

Rubber Safety Mat Guide

This rubber safety mat guide is designed to inform you of the properties of the mats and what applications can benefit from using them. We also have many years of experience dealing with rubber products and we want to pass this information on to you. In order to, ensure you get the best product to match your needs.

Why use a Rubber Safety Mat?

Rubber is a perfect material to use for electrical safety matting as an insulator, due to its dielectric and electrically resistant properties; its flexibility and its softening nature.

Where should I use a Rubber Safety Mat?

Electrical rubber mats should be used where the risk of electrical shock is high, such as in front of switchboards.

Applications include: Walkways →Warehouses → Construction Sites → Assembly Lines → Offices

Types of electrical safety mats – Which mat should I use?

450V Protection Mats:

If you are using a 240V single phase switchgear, we recommend allowing for a 90% margin of safety by specifying 450V protection by purchasing the appropriate matting from our selection of products. Up to its maximum working voltage of 450V, in order to protect the user. These mats are tested electrically up to 11,000V, therefore removing any possibility of contamination, holes or porosity in the rubber.

650V Protection Mats:

When working with 415V three phase switchgear, we recommend allowing a 50% margin of safety by using the 650V mat for protection. The grade of rubber will protect users up to a maximum working voltage of 650V.

1000V Protection Mats:

Class 0 of the IEC61111 specified matting is intended to protect staff, contractors and maintenance teams against electric shock while working with equipment up to 1000WV. It also undergoes proof testing to 5KV and withstands tests to 10KV.

Electrical Safety is crucial, especially in the workplace.

4 hazards can arise, compromising safety – Dust, Moisture, Wires and Impaired equipment.

To uphold safety levels, these problems can be avoided with these simple steps:

1. DUST inside machines can result in equipment failure

Use rubber carpet mats that can trap dust and clean them regularly.

2. MOISTURE on floor can result in equipment failure and electrocution!

Use electrical rubber mats to conceal the nearby work areas.

3. Peeling WIRES can result in electrocution!

Take note of where the wires are placed. Cover walkways where there are underground wires with rubber mats.

4. IMPAIRED EQUIPMENT can also result in electrical failures and a fire hazard

Wear protective gear such as safety googles and electrically insulated gloves. Frequently check all equipment, especially before activating machinery.

Comprehensive Guide to Electrical Safety Matting

If you have further questions that weren’t answered in this rubber safety mat guide feel free to email us as we are happy to help you on a 1 to 1 basis.

Click here to view our full range of electrical rubber safety mats