Future Trends in Rubber Seal Strip Applications

Rubber seal strips have always been important parts of building and industrial applications automotive design, electronics manufacturing, and many other uses. The primary purpose of Rubber Seal Strip is to close up gaps so that air, dust, moisture, sound, and temperature/heat will not transfer through the openings. The technology behind the materials and methods used to make rubber seal strips is changing rapidly as every industry puts greater emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainable use of resources, automation, and user comfort. As such, rubber seal strips are being designed with increased sophistication and multipurpose usage, along with continued specialization.

Advanced Material Innovations Moving From Traditional Rubber to Newer Options

Historically, there have been a very limited number of materials used in the manufacture of rubber seal strips, such as natural rubber and EPDM, but moving forward, the industry will expand beyond these materials into hybrid and engineered compounded materials, which will enable greater performance.

Smart Elastomers: Future rubber seal strips will be produced using smart elastomeric materials. These smart elastomers have been designed to change in physical form (shape, stiffness, and permeability) depending on the following variables: temperature, pressure, and electrical signals. These "smart elastomers" will be used in applications where rubber seals previously could not perform or failed to meet manufacturers' or customers' needs.

Some of these high-performance applications include

• Aerospace applications,

• Medical devices,

• Precision component manufacturing,

When utilizing smart elastomers as the medium in which to create rubber seals, there will be an opportunity to create seals that self-adjust to their operational environment, providing enhanced sealing performance.

Silicone Seals for Extreme Heat and Medical Use: Silicone seals have become increasingly popular among manufacturers and customers due to their superior resistance to both heat and chemical substances. As the electronics and electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs) generate higher heat outputs, silicone-based Rubber Strips will continue to grow in usage in the following areas:

• Battery compartments,

• Charging stations,

• Industrial ovens.

Rubber Seal Strip Usage Will Continue to Grow

As energy efficiency regulations become stricter throughout the globe, Rubber Strips will continue to gain importance in the architectural design of buildings.

Airtight Building Envelopes: Advanced seal strips will be instrumental in creating insulated, airtight buildings, particularly with passive house, net-zero, and modular, prefabricated housing designs.

Noise Control and Acoustic Comfort: The rapid growth of cities has resulted in a growing number of buildings that need to be designed for optimal sound insulation. Therefore, new rubber seal strips will be manufactured for the following applications: doors, windows, walls, HVAC systems, etc., with a focus on increasing acoustic absorption.

Thermal Bridge Control: Improved rubber seals will help reduce heat loss through the areas around window frames, curtain walls, and expansion joints.

Change in the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry is changing dramatically; consequently, rubber seal strips are also evolving.

Electric Vehicle Rubber Seal Strips: The manufacture of rubber seal strips designed for electric vehicles will require the incorporation of 1) a means for insulation from high-voltage electricity, 2) improved weatherproofing for battery packs, and 3) better acoustic sealing to provide a quiet interior atmosphere. Rubber seal strips engineered to have a high dielectric strength and thermal stability will continue to be used more often.

Optimizing Aerodynamics: By minimizing drag on the following items, seal strips will assist in improving the aerodynamics of a vehicle:

• Doors

• Sunroofs

When optimized, future seals will have lower profiles, better fitment, and lower deformations across time.

Lightweight for Fuel Savings: Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) seals will replace conventionally used rubber (heavy) seal strips, reducing the total weight of a vehicle.

Employing Smart Sealing Systems & the Internet of Things

Smart sealing is among the most exciting advancements anticipated for the future.

Embedded Sensors: Rubber seals equipped with micrometer-sized (micro) sensors that detect changes in pressure, moisture or leakage, temperature, and physical movement.

These seals can be used in smart homes, industrial applications, and transportation.

Real-Time Monitoring: For vital industries like aerospace and oil and gas, monitoring "smart seals" will track compression levels, detect risks for failure of the seal(s), and track vibration loads. Utilizing predictive maintenance information through these seals will lead to diminished downtime for critical applications, resulting in extended use of equipment.

Self-Healing Rubber: Innovative materials infused with pollutants will be able to automatically heal (mend) small cracks and scratches, allowing the life expectancy of the seal to extend.