Introduction to rubber processing

Compounding - powder handling, mixing and milling

Introduction
Compounding involves the measuring and mixing together of raw rubber, process oils, carbon black, bulk fillers, and rubber chemicals in pre-determined proportions, termed formulations.
A rubber compounder can typically use between 100 and 200 different ingredients to mix a range of formulations. The finished mixture is known as compound and is the material that is processed into rubber articles by moulding, extrusion, calendering etc.

Carbon black storage handling area, bulk bag emptying. Note specialist HEPA vacuum for clean-up.