Processing
Rubber compounds' physical and mechanical properties are strongly influenced by the degree of filler incorporation, distribution, and dispersion achieved during the mixing process. UPM’s Renewable Functional Fillers (RFFs) are designed to meet the highest rubber mixing and filler dispersion requirements. Low to medium-specific surface areas combined with tailor-made pellet properties in terms of hardness and fines content enable the highest compound qualities at low mixing costs (e.g., time, energy consumption, number of stages).
Extrusion
Rubber extrusion is an efficient, continuous manufacturing process of turning green compounds into various shapes of different lengths. The volume of waste material is minimal, and the production costs are typically lower when compared to other production methods. The application of strainer sieves helps to further reduce scrap rates by removing any larger contaminants that could finally lead to material defects. UPM’s Renewable Functional Fillers (RFFs) are ideally suited for top- in- class extrusion performance. Colloidal properties and pellet characteristics are designed for the highest level of filler dispersibility, which, combined with zero coke or refractory grit, enable high extrusion speeds and maximum strainer sieve lifetimes.
Moulding
Rubber moulding is a process that applies heat on the green compound in a closed mould under high pressure to obtain a final rubber product of desired geometry. Three different types are commonly used, namely compression, transfer moulding, and injection moulding. The latter is regarded as the most demanding compound properties, requiring high material flowability and well-balanced scorch behaviour to minimize production losses by plugging and pre-curing. UPM’s Renewable Functional Fillers (RFFs), with their tailor-made colloidal properties and surface functionalities, enable compounders to design rubber compounds that are ideally suited for all kinds of moulding applications.