Section 1

Rubber Types and Compounds Used for Bushing

Where do we get and what is this “Rubber Stuff”?

There are many types of elastomers that can be used for rubber bushings depending upon service and environmental requirements.

Collecting latex from a Hevea tree.

Natural rubber (NR) 1,4 Cis Polyisoprene is probably the most widely used elastomer for automotive bushings. We get it from the latex collected from Hevea trees. Polymers like Polychloroprene are used for oil and heat resistance. Polyisoprene is chemically produced version of NR.

Natural rubber (NR) 1,4 Cis Polyisoprene is probably the most widely used elastomer for automotive bushings. We get it from the latex collected from Hevea trees. Polymers like Polychloroprene are used for oil and heat resistance. Polyisoprene is chemically produced version of NR.

Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is sometimes blended with natural rubber.

Fluoroelastomers (FKM) can withstand very high temperatures but come at a high cost. The options are many.

This Section Will Review:

Background information on polymers used in bushings both commercial and automotive applications.

Molecular structure of Natural Rubber and what accounts for its elasticity.

A sample Natural Rubber formula explained by each line item.

Self Lubricating elastomers.

Adding temperature resistance to Natural Rubber.

The rubber line callout commonly found on bushing prints.

A sample of a natural rubber formula.

Self Lubricating elastomer.