With many different types of rubber available, it’s important to understand the properties of each and how they’re used in manufacturing. Here at Checkmate, we work with a variety of rubber materials to produce specialist products for many different sectors.
In this article, we’ll explore what rubber is, how it’s made and what it’s made from, the difference between rubber and plastic, and the different types of rubber we use at Checkmate.
What is rubber?
Rubber is a highly versatile material used in everything from car tyres and seals to industrial hoses and marine components. Rubber is highly valued for its resistance, flexibility, and weatherproof nature.
It can be used in its raw form or engineered into compounds for specific technical applications. It’s strong and durable, with abrasion resistance and the ability to be deformed and then return to its original shape; this makes it useful across a variety of applications.
What is rubber made from?
Rubber is broadly grouped into two main categories: natural rubber and synthetic rubber.
- Natural rubber is extracted from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree.
- Synthetic rubber is manufactured using petrochemicals like styrene, butadiene, or isoprene.
How is rubber made?
Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is made by first extracting it from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree. The extracted material is then harvested and processed to create sheets or blocks of raw rubber. This type is naturally highly elastic and biodegradable.
Synthetic Rubber
Synthetic rubber is made by a chemical manufacturing process using petrochemicals. These materials are engineered to deliver specific, desirable properties, such as resistance to oil, extreme temperatures, or chemical exposure.
Common uses for natural rubber
- Rubber bands
- Rubber gloves
- Tyres and inner rubes
- Seals and gaskets
Common uses for synthetic rubber
- Tyres
- Electrical insulation
- Conveyor belts and hoses
- Inflatable structures and bladders
The difference between rubber and plastic
It’s easy to get rubber and plastic mixed up, as they’re both compounds and polymers. Rubber is also labelled as an elastomer as it has elastic properties.
The difference between rubber and plastic is that plastic has plasticity and rubber has elasticity. This means that rubber can spring back to its original shape when subjected to a heavy load, whereas if plastic were subjected to a heavy load, it would remain deformed.
| Feature | Rubber (Elastomer) | Plastic (Polymer) |
| Primary Defining Property | Elasticity (Ability to spring back to original shape). | Plasticity (Ability to be permanently molded or deformed). |
| Response to Heavy Load | Springs back to its original shape. | Remains deformed (retains the new shape). |
| Composition | Natural (Hevea Brasiliensis tree) or Synthetic (from petrochemicals). | Synthetic (from petrochemicals like styrene, propylene, etc.). |
| Flexibility / Rigidity | Highly flexible and soft. | Can be rigid or flexible, depending on the type (e.g., PVC is rigid, polyethylene is flexible). |
| Key Use Case | Applications requiring sealing, cushioning, vibration dampening, and flexibility. | Applications requiring structural rigidity, light weight, and complex molding. |
| Common Examples | Tires, industrial Gaskets and Seals, Hoses, Gloves, Shock Absorbers. | Bottles, Containers, Pipes (PVC), Electronic Casings, Automotive Dashboards. |
What is rubber used for at Checkmate?
The unique physical and chemical properties of rubber materials make it an important engineering material. At Checkmate, we work with both natural rubber and synthetic rubber, using them as supplied as well as combined with fabric to provide a tough, resilient material made for demanding environments.
Our expertise in rubber manufacturing enables us to incorporate a wide range of types of rubber into our products, each selected for its specific performance benefits. Whether it’s abrasion resistance, flexibility, or temperature tolerance, we choose the right rubber material for the job.
Types of rubber used at Checkmate
The most common types of rubber used at Checkmate Flexible Engineering include:
- Natural rubber: It is strong and resilient, with high abrasion properties ideal for hovercraft skirts, peristaltic hoses and fabrications.
- Polychloroprene: This material is ideal for applications subject to weathering and is used in our many marine applications, including high-pressure seals and couplings used on submarines and naval vessels.
- Nitrile rubber: Known for its heat and chemical resistant properties, used as the lining for peristaltic hoses and fabrications.
- Fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ): Known for its high resistance to extreme temperatures and chemicals, FVMQ is ideal for use in hoses, mouldings and other specialised applications.
- Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber: Particularly durable in a range of temperatures and conditions, making it suitable for a range of products.
- Butyl rubber: Its high gas impermeability and flexibility make it an excellent material for our bladders. We have a specially developed version for higher temperature applications.
How Checkmate can help
We bring decades of experience in rubber manufacturing to every project. From hovercraft skirts to heavy-duty dunnage bags, bladders, mouldings, and advanced custom rubber fabrications, we apply our specialist knowledge to deliver high-performance solutions across multiple industries. Have specific requirements? Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
