The transportation industry requires rugged, quality components that will operate smoothly even under harsh conditions and heavy use. Automotive rubber seals manufacturers incorporate rubber in their parts to lend the material’s significant physical and mechanical benefits to demanding, mission-critical applications.

Since 1933, Fournier Rubber & Supply Company has manufactured high-performance rubber components for diverse industries at a fair price. Learn more about rubber in the automotive industry and how our team can help.

Transportation Applications and Parts

The transportation sector encompasses anything from land transport like vehicles and trains to sea and air options like ships and aircraft. Rubber parts in cars and other transportation types must withstand a wide range of terrains and environmental conditions, as well as frequent, repeated use. Whether you’re looking at mass transport for people or cargo and shipments, the ideal rubber product will resist moisture, chemicals, and abrasion for continuous and dependable operation, hold up against both hot and cold temperatures, and achieve tight tolerances for optimal product quality. Common rubber applications in the transportation industry include lighting and LED gaskets, shifter boots, cleats, insulation for air ducts, protective components, and door, window, and HVAC seals and seal extrusions.

Benefits of Rubber Components for Automotive Applications

Rubber is available in a broad spectrum of types to fit applications spanning many different industries. Regardless of type, however, all rubber materials offer:

  • Durability and tear strength. Rubber is a very durable material, in part because tearing it requires a high degree of force. Its high tear strength is one of rubber’s optimal mechanical properties.
  • Flexibility. Another of rubber’s strengths is its flexibility. When stretched, this elasticity allows it to go back to its original configuration while having maintained its beneficial qualities.
  • Resistance properties. Rubber can withstand exposure to an array of circumstances and conditions, resistant to abrasion, moisture, ozone, oil, petroleum, grease, and chemical substances. Its resistance capabilities make rubber an ideal choice for rugged automotive applications.
  • Thermal sustainability. Rubber can sustain both hot and cold temperatures, making it a good option for transport applications that experience fluctuating temperatures and weather conditions.

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is particularly well-suited for automotive applications. A raw material compatible with fireproof hydraulic fluids, alkalis, and ketones, automotive rubber manufacturers use EPDM for its optimal physical characteristics. It has widespread resistance properties, able to withstand collapse, high temperatures, varied weather conditions, and electrochemical degradation. It also offers resistance to water-based inorganic chemicals as well as polar organic ones. Through such conditions, EPDM maintains dimensional, oxidative, and thermal stability, holding its sealing capabilities in temperatures as low as -40° C.

Custom Automotive and Transportation Rubber Solutions

At Fournier Rubber, we aim to deliver quality parts for all sealing applications. Extrusion and molding are two common techniques that we use to produce custom rubber components for the automotive industry. Profiles for extrusion silicone serve various purposes, such as providing seals, creating internal trimming, and generating rubber for part-punching applications.

Regarding molding techniques, compression and injection molding are two effective methods for shaping and manufacturing rubber parts. Compression molding is better suited to smaller production runs and offers the benefit of cost-effective tooling. For large-scale production as well as rubber parts with a more intricate design and configuration, however, injection molding delivers a higher degree of accuracy.

Ultimately, the volume, design, and budget for your application help define the right manufacturing method for your operation. To serve you with comprehensive capabilities, in addition to extrusion and compression and injection molding, we also offer custom rubber molding, transfer molding, and rubber-to-metal bonding.

Quality Rubber Automotive Products From Fournier Rubber

When looking for rubber parts for transport applications, you need a trusted, experienced supplier with a commitment to quality to provide peace of mind along with crucial automotive components. Fournier Rubber strives to fill that need for its customers, providing you with versatile services to meet the exacting specifications of your application. To request a quote and begin your transportation project with our expert team, contact us today.