Blooming: A phenomenon that occurs when compounding agents in rubber migrate, or bloom, to the surface, causing a dusty or milky looking film. This is due to the agents’ limited compatibility with the rubber elastomer and affects the tensile strength, adhesion properties, and appearance of your part.
Slipcoat: A non-drip lubricant applied to the surface of seals to reduce friction and increase surface smoothness and abrasion resistance.
Flock tape/spray: An adhesive tape or with a non-woven coating on one side or an adhesive non-woven spray that is used to reduce friction between two surfaces or reduce reflection.
Hollow: A hollow area, usually ¼” to 5” in diameter, in a profile design made by placing a pin or mandrel inside the die.
Durometer: A measurement usedto indicate the hardness of a material, defined as a material’s resistance to permanent indentation.
Compression set: The permanent indentation remaining when a force that was applied to a material is removed. There are two ways to measure compression set: Compression set A measures the materials thickness before and after pressure is applied. Compression set B measures the material thickness after the material is compressed to 25% of its original height.
Insertion/extraction forces: The forces applied to the seal during assembly and disassembly in its final application.
Insert molding: Molding one material (plastic) around another (metal) such that the final component is single unit with reduced assembly and labor costs, reduced the size and weight of the part, improved component reliability, and improved part strength and structure with enhanced design flexibility.
