Many industrial, automotive, and construction applications require the use of fire resistant rubber. Fire and flame resistant rubbers are used for sealing, insulating and isolating applications where fire-proofing and smoke and toxic fume suppression are critical for safety, such as passenger and transport vehicles, building construction, and mining.
Fire resistant rubbers include EPDM, Neoprene, Fluoroelastomer (Viton®), and Silicone, among others. These rubbers can be used as insulation and linings, or used to fabricate gaskets, seals and parts which are fire resistant and flame retardant. The key properties of these materials are discussed below.
Fire resistant EPDM
With average mechanical properties, EPDM rubber has very good resistance to ozone, oxidants, and atmospheric agents. It also has good resistance to ketone solvents. Although standard grade EPDM is not inherently fire resistant, formulations are available which are flame and heat resistant. Fire resistant EPDM sheet can be used as a flexible strip, pad, lining, curtain, or gasket. This compound can be used in applications which need to meet regulations for fire, smoke, and toxicity. These applications include: gaskets and seals; transfer and joining sleeves; weatherproof flashing; insulating strip; isolation barriers; and fire resistant coverings.
Fire resistant Neoprene
Neoprene is a rubber compound noted for its various oil and chemical resistant properties. Unlike some rubber compounds, Neoprene can withstand burning and high temperatures – standard grade Neoprene is normally rated for operating temperatures up to 93°C (200°F); beyond this range, the compound may stiffen. If heated to 260°C (500°F), Neoprene will begin to burn.
Fire resistant Neoprene compounds which meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM C-1166 (Standard Test Method for Flame Propagation of Dense and Cellular Elastomeric Gaskets and Accessories) are available. Among other uses, this compound can be used to fabricate weather seals, gaskets, diaphragms, and wiring slings used in computer networking applications.
Fire resistant Viton**®**
Viton®is a fluorelastomer – a high-performance rubber that will service high temperatures and which is not affected by most hydraulic fluids. Fluoroelastomer is often used to make firewall seals, fabric covers for jet engine exhausts, various molded and extruded products, and gaskets, seals and hoses for hot engine applications. Because of its high fluorine content, Viton®may release dangerous hydrogen fluoride gas at very high temperatures.
Fire resistant silicone
Silicone rubber is one of the few polymers that has the ability to perform in extreme temperatures from -60°C (-76°F) to 230°C (446°F). Silicone rubber outperforms other elastomers in general service life, compression set, and hardness. Silicone rubber has good electrical insulating properties, is food-safe, ozone and weather resistant, and is inherently flame retardant. Enhanced formulations are available, such as THT (Thermal High Temperature) and LCH (Low Combustion Hazard), to support applications in the rail, mass transit, and other industries.
Parts made from fire resistant rubbers from CRG
CRG can produce a variety of custom fabricated parts from fire resistant rubber, foams and sponges. These materials meet recognized fire resistance standards, such as ASTM C-1166, ASTM E1354, FMVSS 302 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302) in the USA, or ISO 3795 (Road vehicles, and tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry -- Determination of burning behaviour of interior materials) in Canada, Europe, and Japan.
To find out more about the parts we can produce from fire resistant rubber, please contact our sales team at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.