The automotive industry is one of the heaviest users of rubber materials. From body seals to the engine bay, from door and window weatherstripping to vibration dampers, rubber components appear throughout a vehicle. These parts keep out water, dust, and noise, absorb vibration, and directly affect a vehicle’s durability and ride comfort.
Types of Rubber Parts Used in Vehicles
- Door and trunk seals
- Window weatherstrips
- Engine mounts and suspension bushings
- Hoses for air and fluid lines
- Vibration-damping mounts and bushings
Rubber Materials Commonly Used
The function of each part determines the rubber compound used. EPDM is favored for weatherstripping and exterior seals due to its ozone and UV resistance. NBR is used for engine-bay hoses and gaskets because of its resistance to oil and fuel. Silicone is chosen for high-temperature areas, while chloroprene (CR) offers advantages in vibration-damping applications.
Performance Requirements
Automotive rubber parts must perform across a wide temperature range, from the heat of the engine bay to cold winter conditions, while resisting ozone, UV, oil, and road salt. They are also engineered to withstand continuous vibration and mechanical fatigue throughout the vehicle’s service life.
Quality and Testing Processes
- Hardness measurement (Shore A)
- Compression set testing
- Tensile strength and elongation testing
- Aging and ozone resistance testing
With years of experience manufacturing custom molded and extruded rubber parts for the automotive supply chain, Alpin Rubber delivers solutions that meet customers’ technical specifications.