Rubber in the construction industry
Rubber is a broad term that can be used to describe a range of products with similar ‘elastic’ characteristics. There are two main types of rubber: natural rubber, which is made from latex extracted from plants (primarily the rubber tree or hevea brasiliensis) and synthetic rubber, which is manufactured and includes some forms of:
- Styrene butadiene (SBR).
- Polyacrylics.
- Polyvinyl acetate (PVA).
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
- Polychloroprene (neoprene).
- Polyurethane.
- Silicone.
Rubber is highly elastic and durable and is corrosion resistant. It remains flexible in a wide range of temperatures, is water resistant, an electrical and thermal insulator, and is able to absorb movement and vibration.
Rubber is commonly used in the construction industry for:
- Joints, seals and gaskets.
- Coatings, paints and sealants.
- Sound, vibration and impact absorption.
- Protective clothing.
- Roofing and flooring.
- Pipes and cabling.
- Belting.
- Membranes.
Rubber can be manufactured in a variety of shapes, sizes, thicknesses and colours and can be hard, soft, foamy or spongy.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.