Archive for June, 2011
June 13th, 2011 | 
Author: A rubber door seal has been used to protect objects of all shapes and sizes from harmful outside elements that may damage them in the long run. They have been used in a lot of items — anywhere from storage compartments to boat hatches, sun roofs to exterior doors, cabinets, skylights, car doors, campers – the applications are endless. They keep dust out of machines’ internal mechanisms, stabilize temperatures and provide a water or air tight sealant.
A rubber door seal comes in a variety of specially designed forms to fit any usage and application. They are usually made up of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) sponge rubber compounds, with an adhesive for easy attachment. This adhesive comes in two forms: the HT or Standard Pressure Sensitive Adhesive; and the BT or 3M Bonded Tape System. The former is an acrylic based adhesive that is recommended for use in stationary objects or those which are seldom moved about. The latter is more ideal when one wishes to create a tight moisture and air barrier. It is, however, trickier to use and requires a longer standby time to harden and fully bond to the surface.
One of the most popular uses of a rubber door seal is to insulate cars from very high temperatures and weather changes (i.e. rain water from pouring into the interiors, etc.) It also serves as a cushion between the car door and automobile body. Metal banging is never a good sound. The rubber seal prevents this from happening. On a refrigerator, this rubber seal also serves an important function by keeping cold air in the unit, thereby reducing the amount of electrical energy used to keep food inside cool. On front-loading washing machines, these seals keep water inside the units and prevent them from leaking out. It also serves the same function as when placed inside a shower door.
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