Chlorobutyl Rubber in Aerospace and Defense

Chlorobutyl rubber is a synthetic rubber derived by chlorinating the polymer structure of butyl rubber. Chlorobutyl rubber is mainly isobutylene with a small amount of isoprene. In comparison to butyl rubber, chlorobutyl rubber offers the following advantages:

• Better resistance to ozone, heat, and flex fatigue
• Improved compression set
• Low permeability to moisture, gases, and air

With good resistance to many acids, bases, and other chemicals, chlorobutyl rubber is suitable for airtight, critical sealing components that come into contact with corrosive substances.

RD Rubber Technology Corp. is an industry-leading manufacturer of custom-molded rubber products for the military, defense, government, and aerospace sectors. Our chlorobutyl rubber seals and gaskets are commonly employed in critical-to-function applications in demanding environments. AS 9100:2016 certified, and ITAR and DOD registered, our manufacturing processes meet the most stringent aerospace and government specifications.

Learn more about the key properties and benefits of chlorobutyl rubber for aerospace and defense applications.

Key Properties of Chlorobutyl Rubber

Chlorobutyl rubber is manufactured in a continuous process by exposing butyl rubber to chlorine. The halogenation process enables co-vulcanization, improving the material’s compatibility with other diene rubber types. It also enhances the vulcanization rate, reversion resistance, and state of cure.

Chlorobutyl rubber consists primarily of saturated polyisobutylene, and its halogen functionality makes it more reactive to curing systems than butyl rubber. Key properties of chlorobutyl rubber include:

• Good processing properties
• Excellent resistance to hot air, ozone, and weathering
• Faster cure rate with fewer curatives required
• Good cure versatility and compatibility, particularly with unsaturated rubbers
• High heat resistance
• Low temperature and high damping flexibility
• Superior resistance to basic and acidic chemicals
• Very low permeability to liquids and gases

Benefits of Utilizing Chlorobutyl for Aerospace and Defense Equipment

Chlorobutyl rubber’s chemical and moisture resistance make it an optimal solution for robust performance in extreme conditions, especially for specialized aerospace and defense applications.

Aerospace Applications

The aerospace industry relies on high-quality molded rubber products that tolerate harsh conditions and extreme temperatures. Chlorobutyl rubber is a high-performance thermoset elastomer that can withstand the effects of corrosive aerospace fluids, such as oxidizers, rocket propellants, hydraulic fluids, jet fuels, and engine lubricating oils. It exhibits low outgassing and functions reliably in extreme conditions. Chlorobutyl rubber is widely used in challenging applications and is considered one of the most reliable aerospace rubber materials.

Mil-Spec Rubber

The military must maintain critical equipment that delivers lasting performance in challenging environments. High-quality sealing components made from chlorobutyl rubber improve the dependability and performance of an overall assembly while adhering to stringent military specifications (Mil-Spec). At RD Rubber, we have the expertise and capabilities to supply engineered-quality custom-molded rubber parts on time, matching your specific application requirements.

Key advantages of chlorobutyl rubber for these critical applications include:

• Excellent thermal stability. The rubber material offers exceptional thermal stability and resistance to high temperatures while maintaining its flexibility and mechanical properties.
• Resilience and flexibility. Specialized defense rubber materials can resist mechanical stress and deformation, keeping them in good working condition when utilized for long periods in high-temperature environments.
• Resistance to extreme conditions. High-temperature-resistant rubbers also effectively resist thermal aging, oxidation, and degradation.
• Resistance to corrosive substances. Chlorobutyl rubber offers excellent protection against fuel, chemical, and oil exposure.

Why Chlorobutyl Rubber from RD Rubber Is Ideal for the Aerospace and Defense Industries

Chlorobutyl rubber is an ideal choice for the extreme environments of aerospace and defense equipment due to its superior resistance to weathering, chemical exposure, and gas permeability.

Since 1986, RD Rubber has fabricated custom-molded rubber products, including reliable sealing solutions for clients in critical industries like aerospace and defense. We specialize in working with these industries to create airtight seals, gaskets, and critical sealing components from chlorobutyl rubber. The material is preferred for applications frequently exposed to corrosive substances, including various acids, bases, and chemicals.

In addition to chlorobutyl rubber, we utilize custom rubber compression molding techniques with the following elastomer materials:

Contact us to learn more about chlorobutyl rubber and how it can meet the demands of your next project. You can also request a quote to get started on your order.