Rubber Connectors
Rubber connectors are extruded sleeves and tubes joining parts of pipelines that carry gases or liquids. Used mostly in the mining, tunneling, manufacturing and milling industries, rubber connectors isolate and dampen vibrations and noise in piping systems. They absorb axial compression and extension and accommodate lateral and angular movement. In the milling industry, rubber connectors provide a connection between a discharge chute and the pneumatic blow lines. Packaging lines, aggregate production and sealing applications also find rubber connectors useful because they are durable, have a smooth interior, are cost effective and have a long life span. All HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) piping also make use of rubber connectors because they have a high resistance to a wide range of temperatures.
Rubber connectors are easily attached to pipes and allow pressure to exert itself uniformly in all directions, thus reducing the force exerted on pipelines and equipment. They have mostly replaced using fabric and plastic, which wear rapidly and have separation problems. They are often made of neoprene rubber and have nylon or woven polymer enforcements when used in industrial process piping, which usually have higher pressure and temperatures. They are often exterior or interior threaded, and are installed parallel to the rotating shaft of the equipment. During the installation process, the connector must not be misaligned with the pipe, which causes severe stress to the connector that dramatically reduces its service life. Rubber connectors also must be installed near pipe supports, as they are not designed to carry any pipe weight.