The origins of rubber rollers can be traced all the way back to 1840 when Charles Goodyear discovered vulcanization while working at the Eagle India Rubber Company in Woburn Massachusetts. Vulcanization is the process of cross-linking rubber molecules chemically with organic/inorganic substances through heat and pressure. By adding sulfur to rubber and heating it up, Goodyear discovered that it became more elastic as well as chemical, weather and water resistant. Prior to vulcanization, wood logs and metal were predecessors to rubber covered rollers.
The Industrial Revolution brought many changes, and engineers started experimenting with Goodyear’s discovery. Vulcanized rubber solved many problems. It could be formed into exact shapes and dimensions. It excepted moderate to large deformations under load and recovered quickly once the load was removed. It had exceptional quality and durability.
By the early 1900’s, further experiments in the processing and compounding of rubber lead to a more reliable process that accelerated the reaction of sulfur with rubber, leading to shorter cure times. Accelerators made the cure process faster, improved the reliability of the process and enabled vulcanization to be applied to synthetic polymers.
During this time, the rubber roller was born. Manufacturers discovered that they could add rubber to a steel shaft, allowing them to perform such tasks as nipping, pinching or squeezing of materials. Something that steel alone could not do. Once the Industrial Rubber Roll had been invented, manufactures in a wide range of industries began using rubber rollers in their own processes. One of the earliest uses was in the Printing Industry. In the 1920’s, Publishers started using rubber rollers to apply ink to their printing plates.
Fast Forward 100 years, Industrial Rubber Rollers are used in the manufacturing of countless items we come into contact with every day. Rubber Rollers themselves have remained relatively unchanged. However, through technical innovation, the rubber covers have evolved. Creating customized solutions for a variety of processes and industries. Making the material and application possibilities for rubber rollers endless.
The Industrial Rubber Roller industry has taken off over the past 20 years. Manufacturers are constantly looking at ways to improve quality and increase output. They are demanding more technologically advanced rollers. Rubber Roller Manufactures are rising to the occasion with new and improved offerings.