Medical handles that use rubber overmolding contribute to the safety of patients and the well-being of healthcare workers. That’s because in the high-pressure environment of a medical setting, every detail counts. From the secure grip of a surgical tool to the comfort of a patient’s bed, design choices play a crucial role in successful procedures and positive outcomes.  Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of these humble handles. Rubber overmolding combines multiple materials together to form a single part and can save time and money because it eliminates the need for secondary assembly. Ke ..read more

Do you need rubber valve seats that support long-term, reliable operation? Then talk to The Rubber Group, the industry experts in the materials and processes for these molded rubber products. Valves might seem like simple metal devices, but there’s more to them than meets the eye.  Let’s take a closer look at rubber valve seats and explore their surprising versatility.  What are Rubber Valve Seats?  Rubber valve seats are physically small, but they’re critical for proper valve functioning. These molded rubber parts or rubber-to-metal bonded assemblies play a key role in a wide r ..read more

We are pleased to announce that The Rubber Group has completed the acquisition of Cooper Products Inc. (Cooper Products) as of December 15, 2023. Cooper Products is a respected provider of molded rubber components and solutions in the industry based in Laconia, NH. This acquisition is a significant milestone in our journey to expand our capabilities and product offerings around engineered custom-molded rubber components. Cooper Products has been an industry leader since 1984, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service. Their expertise in producing high-quality custo ..read more

ISO 10993 and USP Class VI both define testing requirements for biocompatibility, the ability of a material to perform a desired function without causing adverse effects on the human body. By ensuring that a material is non-toxic and won’t result in immunological rejection, biocompatibility testing ensures that a rubber is safe for use with living tissue. Examples of these materials include the medical silicones used in stents and catheters. Biocompatibility may seem straightforward, but it’s not. In part, that’s because there isn’t a single test that can describe everything there is to know a ..read more

The Rubber Group is an expert in sourcing and molding USP Class VI elastomers for medical, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biopharmaceutical products. The certified materials that we use meet rigorous USP Class VI testing requirements, and that’s important because USP VI elastomers are not fully compliant until they are properly tested.   What is USP Class VI?  The USP Class VI classification demonstrates that the materials and processes used to produce an end article are safe and will meet stringent biocompatibility specifications for medical devices and related applications. Specif ..read more

Rubber bellows may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about industrial sealing components, but they play a crucial role in various applications across industries. These accordion-like, flexible structures are used for a multitude of reasons, from sealing to dampening vibrations and compensating for misalignment. This article will explore why rubber bellows are widely used, why rubber is an ideal material, considerations when choosing a bellow, and the reasons you need an experienced rubber molder for the best parts. Why rubber bellows are critical components in a variety ..read more

Today’s business environment is fast-paced and ever-changing. That’s why transparency and collaboration are more important than ever. Whether it’s between clients and vendors, or between managers and employees, it’s essential to communicate openly and to encourage collaboration. There are five business benefits for companies that do so, and these benefits extend throughout the organization and beyond.   1. Trust   In any business relationship, increased trust is one of the most significant benefits of transparency and collaboration. When each party is open and honest about ..read more

Sterilization mats cushion and protect medical devices, surgical instruments, and dental tools during sterilization, the process of destroying all of the microorganisms on the surfaces of items in order to prevent disease transmission. The Rubber Group molds sterilization mats that are designed to withstand various sterilization methods and that support cleaning and repeated use. Mats are produced in standard or custom sizes, come in custom colors, and are available in FDA-approved and USP Class VI-approved and compliant materials.   Contact us to learn more, or keep reading to learn abou ..read more

Rubber product validation is an important part of sealing material selection because designers need to know that a rubber seal will perform properly over the long term. Previous parts of this Sealing Material Selection Guide introduced some commonly used rubber materials (Part 1), material properties (Part 2), and product testing requirements (Part 3). Now that you know this information, it’s time to learn about rubber product validation and its relationship to variation.      There are multiple sources of variation in the production of rubber sealing products: machines, to ..read more

The Rubber Group is monitoring attempts to classify fluorine-based rubbers (fluorocarbon (FKM), fluorosilicone (FVMQ), AFLAS, FFKM, etc.) as banned PFAS substances under REACH and U.S. state and federal regulations. We will regularly update our customers about new developments and are sharing a list of PFAS resources (below) from industry trade groups and fluoropolymer manufacturers.   The Rubber Group works closely with our industry trade group, the Association for Rubber Product  Manufacturers (ARPM), and is positioned to leverage our rubber industry knowledge on behalf of our ..read more