The glass industry spans a wide range of applications, from facade systems to automotive glazing, from appliance glass to furniture glass, and rubber profiles play a critical role in most of them. Glass edge protection profiles, sealing gaskets, and vibration-isolation elements protect glass from breakage, provide water and air tightness, and ensure safe installation.
Rubber Parts Used in Glass Applications
- Glass edge protection and wrap profiles
- Insulated glass unit (IGU) edge seals
- Facade and window sealing gaskets
- Glass setting blocks and spacers
- Vibration and impact isolation gaskets
Types of Rubber Materials Used
EPDM is widely preferred for facade and window sealing gaskets due to its high resistance to weathering and UV exposure. Silicone-based profiles can be used in IGU applications requiring high clarity and long service life. EPDM foam (sponge) profiles offer advantages in handling and installation processes that need lightweight protection and vibration isolation.
Performance Requirements
Rubber profiles used in the glass sector must tolerate the differing thermal expansion rates between glass and metal or other construction materials, maintain water and air tightness for many years, and continue performing outdoors without losing color or flexibility.
Quality and Testing Processes
- Hardness measurement (Shore A)
- Water and air tightness testing
- UV and ozone aging testing
- Cross-section and extrusion tolerance checks
Alpin Rubber manufactures custom cross-section extruded rubber profiles for the glass sector, delivering solutions tailored to customers’ technical drawings and tolerances.