Did you know that rubber is one of the most important pillars in the Colombian economy? Just as you are reading, this type of industry generates around 9,000 direct jobs and therefore it is a sector that we should not neglect, either due to the variety of fabrics that are used to create products such as reinforcements for rims, tires , conveyor belts, etc. Do you want to know what we are talking about? Continue reading our blog!
Let's talk about rubber in the textile industry
Before know all the fabrics that are produced in the rubber industry, it is important to know that Colombia is one of the main producers of natural rubber in Latin America, since we have 70,000 hectares of rubber, of which more than 12,000 are in production. This is why this material becomes a primary economic source in departments such as: Meta, Santander, Guaviare, Antioquia and Caldas.
In addition, it is important to know that rubber is extracted from latex, a milky, white substance found inside the bark of a very common tree in the Amazon, whose name is Hevea Brasiliensis. Thanks to these processes today we can have different types of fabrics that are part of la industria textil and of course, they improve our quality of life.
Without a doubt, rubber has become an important material for the development of the textile industry, since it stands out for being an elastic material, resistant to temperatures, traction and wear. Next, we will show you some applications of rubber in this type of industry:
Tires: The fabrics of the rubber industry play an important role in tires, an example of this occurs in the tire reinforcement fabrics, since these are characterized by distributing the forces evenly throughout the tire, which guarantees that It supports the weight of the vehicle, air pressure, braking and cornering.
Additionally, rubber fabrics prevent the tire from deforming or flexing when under pressure, ensuring a safe and stable ride. Likewise, these types of fabrics help protect the inner casing of the tire against damage caused by impacts. It is important to emphasize that these fabrics are made with polyester and aramid.
Conveyor belts: Conveyor belts or conveyor belts are those belts that move materials from one place to another, all this happens thanks to fabrics such as nylon, polyester or aramid, since these are characterized by being resistant to traction, flexible and durable, which is why which can withstand the load of the loaded material, tension and resistance to wear due to friction and chemicals.
Service tarps: Reinforcement fabrics for service fabrics function as additional layers that improve mechanical properties and therefore help to withstand loads and stresses. It is important to keep in mind that these fabrics that belong to the rubber industry and stand out for being resistant to traction, tearing and perforations, it is worth highlighting that these fabrics are made of polyester, nylon or polypropylene.
Types of rubber
Neoprene rubber: Neoprene rubber is characterized by withstanding a wide range of chemicals, making it ideal for use in environments where there is great exposure to aggressive substances, an example of these substances are oils, solvents and acids. This is why this type of fabric is used for hoses, seals for industrial machinery and transportation equipment.
Nitrile: Nitrile is characterized by being a material resistant to both mineral, vegetable and synthetic oils. This type of rubber is used in applications for industria automotriz, hydraulic equipment and machinery. In addition, it has good resistance to friction wear.
EPDM: This type of rubber stands out for being one of the most weather resistant, because thanks to its characteristics it is perfect for withstanding heat without deforming, withstanding electrical charges and not losing its stability. This type of fabric is ideal for the manufacture of transmission belts, flat roofs and structures.
This is how the rubber industry works
Now, after taking a brief tour of the rubber industry in Colombia, we must not overlook that the industrial fabrics manufactured by Textiles Omnes are also part of the development of the rubber industry, which is why we are experts in different areas. types of fabrics and we are part of the innovation in the country. If you found this topic interesting, don't forget Contact us and get more information. And you, what are you waiting for to discover the wonderful world of industrial fabrics?