Rubber and urethane are materials that most people don’t think about when using everyday appliances. From rubber tires and refrigerator parts, to urethane carpet padding and doorstops, these materials are likely within your reach from where you’re reading this right now.
Let’s take a look at a few of the many ways rubber and urethane are used in everyday appliances and how they contribute to the appliance’s durability, usability, and functionality.
Rubber
Rubber has been around for thousands of years. It was first discovered by humans as an incredibly useful resource due to its ability to resist deterioration from moisture or heat. Since its initial discovery, it’s been utilized in a variety of household items, including:
Refrigerator parts
Refrigerators use rubber seals around their doors to keep cold air inside and prevent warm air from entering. This is crucial to keeping your groceries fresh for longer periods of time, as well as preventing harmful gasses from leaking out.
Tires and valves
Rubber valves are an essential part of rubber tires. They can be compressed easily, letting air out of your tires but not back into them, ensuring that they are always at optimal pressure. Without rubber, you would not be able to keep a car moving.
Oven parts
Rubber is also used in oven doors. This helps the oven withstand high temperatures and prevents the glass from shattering as the door is opened and closed.
Dishwasher parts
Dishwashers rely heavily on rubber seals to prevent water from leaking into your cabinets or out onto the floor.
Urethane
You’ve probably heard of urethane before, but you might not know exactly what it is or how it’s used. Urethane is a type of polymer that can be both rigid or soft depending on desired use. They can be used in a variety of applications, including:
Carpet padding
Soft urethane can be used in carpet padding. It provides cushion for your flooring and prevents the carpet from bunching up or shifting when you walk on it, which can damage your floors over time.
Doorstops and leak guards
Another common application of urethane is in doorstops. Because it is both flexible and rigid, urethane is the perfect material for trying to stop a swinging door from hitting another wall or doorway.
It can also help prevent damage caused by water leaks. If you’ve ever had a problem with water leaking in through the bottom of your door, urethane can be used to stop that leak and prevent damage.
Wheels
Urethane is used in wheels on scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and more. It provides wheels with a soft exterior that allows for flexibility and maneuverability when in use, but also firm stability when at rest.
Suspension systems in vehicles
Urethane can also be used to create suspension systems for vehicles that need a more adaptive ride. This material is great because it allows vehicles to have both soft, flexible movements and firm stability.
Rubber and urethane are two incredible materials. Rubber provides durability and strength while urethane adds flexibility and softness. Together, these two materials are essential to the function of the many objects making up our everyday lives.
At Mark Tool & Rubber Co., Inc, we’re a proud manufacturer of both these materials, and we’ve been trusted industry leaders for decades now. Contact us today to request a quote for your urethane or rubber parts!