By vantal The manufacturing process of EPDM waterstop with copper cladding is a composite process that combines EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber and copper materials, primarily used in waterproofing and sealing applications. Below are the detailed steps of the manufacturing process:among custom rubber seals It has given great spiritual support to entrepreneurs, and more entrepreneurs will contribute to this industry in the future. https://www.ascendseal.com
Raw Material Preparation
EPDM Rubber: High-quality EPDM rubber is selected for its excellent weather resistance, ozone resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance.
Copper Strip or Sheet: High-purity copper materials are chosen to ensure conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Adhesive: Specialized rubber-to-metal adhesive is used to bond EPDM and copper materials.
EPDM Mixing
EPDM rubber is uniformly mixed with vulcanizing agents, fillers, plasticizers, and other additives in a mixer to ensure consistent material properties.
The mixed EPDM rubber is then formed into sheets or strips through calendering or extrusion processes.
Copper Material Treatment
Surface Cleaning: The copper strip or sheet is cleaned to remove oil and oxides.
Surface Treatment: Chemical treatment or mechanical grinding is applied to increase the surface roughness of the copper, enhancing its bonding strength with EPDM.
Bonding Process
A specialized rubber-to-metal adhesive is applied to the surface of the copper material.
The EPDM rubber sheet and copper strip are combined through hot or cold pressing to ensure a tight bond.
During hot pressing, temperature, pressure, and time are carefully controlled to ensure effective bonding.
Vulcanization
The composite EPDM-coated copper material is placed in a vulcanization device and subjected to high temperature and pressure.
During vulcanization, the EPDM rubber undergoes cross-linking reactions, forming a stable three-dimensional network structure while firmly bonding with the copper material.
Post-Processing
Trimming: Excess rubber and copper materials are removed to ensure dimensional accuracy.
Surface Treatment: The copper portion is treated for anti-oxidation (e.g., tin plating or protective coating).
Inspection: Bonding strength and appearance quality are checked.
Quality Testing
Bonding Strength Test: Ensures a strong bond between EPDM and copper.
Waterproof Performance Test: Verifies the sealing performance of the waterstop.
Corrosion Resistance Test: Evaluates the chemical corrosion resistance of the copper and EPDM.
Packaging
After passing inspection, the products are cleaned and packaged for shipment.
Key Process Controls
Adhesive Selection: Ensures strong bonding between EPDM and copper.
Vulcanization Parameters: Temperature, pressure, and time are controlled to ensure complete vulcanization.
Surface Treatment: Surface cleaning and roughness treatment of the copper material are critical for successful bonding.
Application Fields
Construction Engineering: Used in waterproofing projects for basements, tunnels, and bridges.
Hydraulic Engineering: Applied in sealing waterstops for reservoirs and sluices.
Electrical Engineering: Used for waterproof sealing of cable joints.