rubber deflashing process

Introduction to rubber deflashing

In most cases, rubber deflashing is a required step in the manufaturing of molded rubber parts. When rubber is molded, either by injection, compression, blown, rotory, or transfer molding, flashing and sometimes controlled overflow occure during the curing process. Flashing is rubber overflowing the mold cavity which is sometimes controlled into overflow cavities. Whether planned for and controlled or not, this flashing of rubber is unwanted and must be removed by punching, hand trimming, grinding, or cryogenic deflashing. Hand trimming is tedious and not consistent, while machining operations must be hand loaded and can be time consuming. These methods are many times just not cost effective. Given that the parts for rubber deflashing come in different shapes and material mixtures, only a universal batch processing method can produce economic results. Cryogenic plasic deflashing is quick and effective without any harm or ill effects on the parts. The speed, versatility, and efficiency of the cryogenic deflashing process make it the most accurate and cost effective method for a wide range of materials.

Cryogenic rubber deflashing

The 'cryogenic', meaning relating to or producing low temperatures, is achieved by using liquid nitrogen (N²). Nitrogen provides greater operational stability, has a wide range of applications, and is most cost effective in reaching the almost -200°C when required. The temperature of the flashing on the rubber is reduced to below its glass transition temperature, point at which rubber behaves like glass and becomes brittle. The proper timing is used to freeze the flash but leave the rest of the material still pliable so as not to damage the part. Deflashing is then accomplished by tumbling and/or blasting the unwanted material away.

Cryogenic rubber deflashing is quick, safe to use for operators as well as the materials, and the most cost effective means in deflashing rubber parts in bulk quantities. The peocess is even gentle enough to work on complex. fragile, or overmolded parts. For example, the part below is made from 6061-T6 aluminum, hard anodized, then overmolded with Hytrel™.

Due to nitrogen being an 'inert' gas, the relatively short time the material is under cooling, and the low force required to remove the flashing, gryogenic rubber deflashing is the one sure way to effectively get the job done with no ill effects to the material or your manufacturing cost.

For more information on rubber deflashing, feel free to contact us at any time. For details on our specific capabilities, visit the rubber deflashing page.