Getting started
Introduction to rubber processing and safety issues
This section provides details of the mechanical processes involved in the production of various types of rubber goods. Details are included of the various safety and fire and explosion hazards but there are only brief references made to the health risks. For information on health risks see our health and safety topics.
Text version of the chart
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Drugs (rubber chemicals)3
- [Optional] Internal mixer
- Two roll mill (warming mill / dumping mill)
- Extruder
- Continuous vulcanisation
- Autoclave
- Cloth coating
- Autoclave
- Calendar
- Fabrication
- Moulding press
- Moulding presses
- Extruder
- Two roll mill (warming mill / dumping mill)
- Two roll mill (warming mill)
- Extruder
- Continuous vulcanisation
- Autoclave
- Cloth coating
- Autoclave
- Calendar
- Fabrication
- Moulding press
- Moulding presses
- Extruder
- [Optional] Internal mixer
- Rubber / Process oils1 / Carbon black / Bulk filler2
- Internal mixer
- [Optional] Two roll mill (warming mill / dumping mill)
- Extruder
- Continuous vulcanisation
- Autoclave
- Cloth coating
- Autoclave
- Calendar
- Fabrication
- Moulding press
- Moulding presses
- Extruder
- [Optional] Two roll mill (warming mill / dumping mill)
- Internal mixer
- Mainly aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives. Back to reference of footnote 1
- Crushed limestone, chalk and other whitings. Back to reference of footnote 2
- Includes biologically active complex organic compounds. Back to reference of footnote 3
The industry uses very powerful machinery with the potential to cause fatal and serious injuries. There are established industry safeguarding standards for two-roll mills, internal mixers and calenders. Many serious accidents take place during repairs or to clear blockages etc, and there must be procedures in place to ensure that safe interventions take place.