Introduction to rubber processing

Compounding - powder handling, mixing and milling
 

Introduction

Compounding involves the measuring and mixing together of raw rubber, process oils, carbon black, bulk fillers, and rubber chemicals in pre-determined proportions, termed formulations.

A rubber compounder can typically use between 100 and 200 different ingredients to mix a range of formulations. The finished mixture is known as compound and is the material that is processed into rubber articles by moulding, extrusion, calendering etc.