Automotive sealing strips are one of the crucial components of a car, widely used in areas such as car doors, windows, body panels, seats, sunroofs, engine compartments, and trunks. They can also be used to manufacture rubber hinges for mounting luggage compartment doors on passenger vehicles. These strips serve not only as seals but also provide waterproofing and sealing functions, effectively preventing rain and wind from entering the vehicle interior. To help everyone better understand sealing strips, the editors at Canzhuojia have compiled detailed information on the classification of automotive rubber sealing strips. Why not take a closer look?

I. Vulcanized Rubber Seal Strips

Vulcanized rubber-based sealing strips exhibit outstanding ozone resistance, excellent weathering resistance, remarkable high- and low-temperature performance, and exceptional chemical resistance. They can withstand a wide variety of polar solvents and have a relatively low density. However, they tend to swell significantly in mineral oils and lubricating oils. The applicable temperature range is from -60°C to 150°C.

II. Silicone Rubber Seal Strips

Silicone rubber sealing strips exhibit outstanding resistance to high and low temperatures, as well as excellent ozone and weathering resistance. They possess exceptional hydrophobic properties and appropriate gas permeability. Moreover, they offer unparalleled electrical insulation performance and can meet food hygiene standards, catering to a wide range of color requirements. Their main drawback is that they have the lowest mechanical strength among rubber materials and are not oil-resistant. The operating temperature range is from -100°C to 300°C. These strips are suitable for use in areas with high temperatures, cold climates, intense ultraviolet radiation, and in mid- to high-rise buildings.

III. Chloroprene Rubber Seal Strip (CR)

Compared with other specialty rubbers, neoprene sealing strips have slightly inferior performance in certain aspects, but they offer a well-balanced overall performance. They exhibit excellent weather resistance, ozone resistance, resistance to thermal aging, and resistance to oils and solvents. They also possess good chemical resistance and outstanding flame retardancy, as well as excellent adhesion properties. However, they suffer from poor storage stability—during storage, they tend to become harder—and have limited cold-weather performance. They have a relatively high density and are typically available in black. These sealing strips are suitable for applications requiring resistance to oils, heat, and acids and alkalis. Their operating temperature range is from -30°C to 120°C.

4. Nitrile Rubber Sealing Strips

Nitrile rubber seals are primarily characterized by their resistance to oils and solvents, but they are not resistant to media such as ketones, esters, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. They also exhibit excellent elasticity and mechanical properties. However, their drawbacks include susceptibility to aging and cracking under ozone and oxidative conditions, as well as poor cold resistance and low-temperature performance.

V. Thermoplastic Elastomer Sealing Strips

Thermoplastic elastomer-based sealing strips exhibit excellent elasticity, superior wear resistance, and good oil resistance. They offer a wide adjustable hardness range (Shore A hardness from 65 to 80 degrees) and boast outstanding mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break). Additionally, they demonstrate excellent cold resistance and resistance to interfacial corrosion caused by chemicals. However, the raw materials used are relatively expensive. These strips are recyclable and reusable. Their service temperature range is from -60°C to 80°C. They are particularly suitable for areas prone to intense vibrations—such as earthquake-prone regions, areas near railways, or industrial plants equipped with high-power cranes—as well as regions exposed to intense ultraviolet radiation.