Butyl rubber, or polyisobutylene, is a synthetic rubber with very low gas and water permeability, making it an excellent material for hydraulic and pneumatic sealing applications. It is valued in critical-to-function aerospace and defense applications to protect sensitive equipment, such as valves, pumps and storage vessels. Butyl is also highly durable and can be used in harsh conditions because it is resistant to weather extremes, compression and abrasion.
Continue reading to learn more about the properties and applications of molded butyl rubber, and how RD Rubber Technology Corporation can manufacture custom-molded rubber components with it.
Key Properties of Butyl Rubber
Butyl rubber has a number of properties that make it reliable and safe for a range of applications, such as:
- Gas Impermeability. Because it has low gas permeability, air and other gases do not pass through items made of butyl rubber.
- Weather Resistance. Butyl rubber is highly resistant to ozone, sunlight, and temperatures in the range of -75°F to 250°F. As a result, it can be used reliably in outdoor or exposed applications.
- Flexibility. Butyl rubber is a highly flexible material, and it retains its pliability even in cold or fluctuating temperatures.
- Chemical Resistance. Butyl rubber is resistant to many chemicals, including certain solvents, silicone-based oils, salt, alcohols, esters and phosphate-ester bases, ketones, poly-glycol hydraulic fluids, and certain brake fluids.
- Compression Set. With a low compression set, butyl rubber components maintain their original shape and resist deforming when pressed between or against components. This helps them maintain tight seals.
- Shock Absorption. Butyl rubber is also a good shock absorbing material, and can be used for dampening vibration, such as in aircraft, military vehicles and equipment, and other heavy machinery applications.
- Biocompatibility. As a biocompatible material, butyl rubber is safe to use in and around living tissue of humans and animals. It is suitable for medical applications, and food-grade formulations are also available.
It is important to note that butyl rubber is incompatible with most standard fuels, chlorinated hydrocarbon- and petroleum-based solvents, coal tars, and mineral oils.
Applications in Aerospace & Defense
Its durability and resilience in a variety of challenging settings makes butyl rubber one of the top choices for military, aerospace, and defense applications.
Quality Engineered Butyl O-Rings, Gaskets, and Custom Molded Rubber Components from RD Rubber
Since 1986, RD Rubber has been committed to providing engineered quality solutions to customers in markets ranging from Aerospace, Defense, and Space to Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Food Processing with safer, reliable elastomeric sealing solutions. We manufacture custom-molded rubber components comprised of butyl rubber and other synthetic thermoset elastomer materials. We are also ISO 9001:2015 and AS 9100:2016 certified, DOD and ITAR registered and are compliant with NIST 800-171 protocols.
Contact us today to learn more about our manufacturing capabilities with butyl and other rubber materials, or request a quote for your next project.