Author: Sperry & Rice

Let’s begin with the spoiler: The answer to the question completely depends on the application and environment in which the rubber will be used. Sometimes natural rubber is the best choice and sometimes synthetic rubber is the best option. The real question is which type of rubber you should choose for your specific project. In… Continue reading Natural Rubber vs Synthetic Rubber: Which is Better?

Rubber is an amazing material: strong yet soft, pliable and tough, able to stretch and shrink. Like most materials, both natural and synthetic rubber deteriorates over time, caused by exposure to environmental factors like heat, UV radiation, and ozone, as well as contact with fluids such as oil and fuel. This deterioration can degrade the… Continue reading What Causes Rubber to Deteriorate?

Why is a continuous rubber curing line important? The simple answer is that it helps lower your component costs, speeds up deliveries, and provides consistent quality. First, let’s explore what continuous curing is. Curing, or vulcanization, is a process that was discovered almost 200 years ago that changes the physical and chemical properties of rubber.… Continue reading Why Is a Continuous Rubber Curing Line Important?

Your project needs a gasket, but what type of material should you choose? There’s a lot that goes into answering that question, such as: the type of environment in which it will be used, the kinds of materials it will be exposed to, and the temperatures it will encounter. Once those specifications have been determined,… Continue reading The Most Common Sponge Rubber Types for Gaskets and Seals

Sometimes in products, or in industrial applications, vibration is an issue that requires a solution. In our business, we create solutions called vibration damping, and we do it with extruded rubber components. In fact, when vibration is an issue, the right rubber formulation can make all the difference. But first, let’s get back to basics.… Continue reading Vibration Damping: What Is It and What Rubber Is Best for It?

Manufacturing is always evolving because manufacturers are constantly pushing the limits of technology, refining their processes, identifying new efficiencies, improving productivity, and solving challenges.  In the wake of a global pandemic that stressed global supply chains, decreased productivity, created workforce upheaval, and saw materials costs rise dramatically, manufacturers are embracing new ways of doing business.… Continue reading 5 Manufacturing Trends to Watch For in 2024

Sponge rubber is a very versatile material and one that Sperry & Rice has a great deal of experience formulating and extruding. This post is meant to explain more about sponge rubber, its benefits, different varieties, applications, and industries it is used in. Sponge rubber can be formulated as open cell or closed cell, but… Continue reading All About Sponge Rubber

The culture at Sperry & Rice is focused on three main aspects: people, training, and the community. Let’s look at all three, one by one. People Focused Without people, Sperry & Rice is just machines and materials – we need trained, enthusiastic people to take raw, unfinished materials and turn them into finished high-quality rubber… Continue reading Inside the Culture at Sperry & Rice

As we enter January, it’s time to think about 2023 and peer into our rubber industry crystal ball. Of course, it’s nearly impossible to accurately predict exactly what will happen this year, but we’ve been doing this a long time, and we’re confident that 2023 will be a year of change for the rubber industry.… Continue reading Rubber Industry Trends to Focus on in 2023

It’s that time of year when we look back on the old year and look forward to a new one. While 2022 had its challenges, it was certainly better than the previous couple of years! Takeaway #1 – Our customers are very understanding International supply chains have been a mess since the pandemic started more… Continue reading 3 Takeaways from 2022 from Sperry & Rice

It’s a common question: What is the difference between EPDM and neoprene? Is one better than the other? Which one should I use? The answer is, “it depends.” Let’s start with the similarities. Both EPDM and neoprene are synthetic rubbers that are commonly used in conveyor belts, gaskets, hoses and outdoor applications. Both EPDM and… Continue reading What’s the Difference Between EPDM and Neoprene?

Sperry & Rice is passionate about developing advanced rubber engineering solutions and manufacturing processes as well as providing personal and professional development for our employees. We are also committed to offering hands-on engineering co-ops to students from the University of Akron College of Engineering and Polymer Science because we believe it is vital to train,… Continue reading Helping start the next generation of engineers in Northeast Ohio