Selecting the correct rubber lining for your vessel or storage equipment can be complicated.
When choosing a rubber lining, consider several factors, including how well it will protect your vessel or storage tank while providing a level of safety for technicians and others responsible for the corrosive material. Blair Rubber Company offers rubber lining products for a variety of industries.
Blair Rubber Co products are formulated to perform in as many environments as possible. However, not all rubber products will serve all environments. The ownership and responsibility of the liner selection must be held by the purchasing end user. Historical performance, good engineering, planning, and equipment specifications can provide engineers with an insight into product selections. Only that group possesses all the pertinent information to make the best decision. In some cases, an immersion swell test should be performed, checking and comparing various rubber options for the lining. Blair is responsible for the quality and consistent manufacturing of the rubber lining. They can target the formulations for the market and expected chemical situations. However, the factors below must also be considered in the final rubber lining selection.
What Are You Protecting?
It’s no surprise that the first question asked is, “What kind of equipment are you protecting?” Others include, “Is your vessel storing a corrosive chemical or transporting it?” and most importantly, “What material makes up the storage container or vessel?”
The answers to these questions can help narrow down the choices for tank linings that Blair Rubber can offer for a long-lasting solution.
What Are You Storing?
The kind of chemical you are storing or transporting is a key factor in selecting the correct rubber lining solution. Other influences, such as chemical concentration, whether oils and solvents are present, and temperatures should be considered. For example, hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive material, but Blair Rubber’s Marflex[R] PG70, an amber, soft, high-quality pure gum natural rubber lining, is designed exclusively for concentrated HCl service.
Abrasion Exposure
One must also consider whether the rubber liner will be exposed to abrasions. Two types of abrasion may occur: impingement and sliding. Impingement occurs when particles impact the rubber lining at or near 90° angles. Sliding abrasions happen when solids in the commodity run across the rubber in a more parallel fashion. Factors including whether the abrasive particles are wet or dry and what percentage of the solution is comprised of solids, should also be considered when picking the right rubber lining solution.
Temperature and Pressures
Two other service conditions that impact your rubber lining are temperature and pressure. When dealing with corrosive or volatile substances, managing minimum and maximum temperatures is vital to maintain a stable environment. In many industries, such as the water treatment sector, operating pressure is also an important consideration. Blair Rubber Co. offers high-pressure lining applications to meet these industries’ needs.
Environment
The environment is the final factor to consider when selecting the ideal lining for a specific service. Where is the vessel or containment equipment located, and will it be in direct sunlight? The location gives engineers insights into the area’s weather conditions and potentially damaging elements, such as salt, sand, wind, and humidity. Transportation vessels, such as rail car or barges, also require special considerations.