Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has introduced ‘Rubore’ composite technology to its product portfolio. Focusing on automotive applications, the manufacturing process allows the development of components that offer significant weight-savings and a reduction in overall costs.

Rubore technology is an advanced production process used to create a three to five layer rubber-to-metal sandwich by applying a bonding agent to metal carriers and then vulcanizing rubber to the coated metal. Already world-leading in anti-vibration applications for the automotive industry, a range of Rubore seals have been developed that includes five products for a variety of applications.

Head of Sales Engineering for the European Automotive Hub for Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Axel Weimann says: “The real benefits of our patented Rubore composite technology are apparent when you consider the total cost of production. Working with us, components can be designed or redesigned to integrate Rubore products. This can lead to significant total cost savings when you consider reduction of handling, the ability to automate assembly and less logistics.”

“Another big saving is given in many applications where due to compensation of roughness, the need for surface finishing can be alleviated. In addition, minimizing component weight not only reduces material costs, but also contributes to the automotive designers’ objective to lower vehicle weight.”

One example of how the Rubore composite technology has worked in practice is the seal design of an electronic control unit (ECU). The room available within an engine compartment or vehicle interior is limited, meaning that complex designs which fit space requirements are essential.

In a harsh environment, like the engine compartment, the ECU cover is constructed from metal and sealing is usually with a molded gasket, manually inserted in to the groove or achieved by gluing with liquid silicone or elastomer. The preferred solution was a Rubore Cover Seal, where the rubber seal is combined with the ECU cover in a single integrated unit, meaning costly manual installation is no longer needed.

This story was brought to our attention by Engineering Materials