Rubber Sheets, Feature : Easy Fittings

In the calendering process, fabric and rubber material is passed through a series of rollers to flatten, smooth and commingle the two or more materials. Calendered sheets can have multiple layers of both the elastomeric and polymer "sandwiched" together.

Sheeting produced by the calender process is typically divided into two classes: either fabric inserted, or unsupported. Unsupported calender goods contain only layers of rubber or plastic that have been joined without cord, cloth or textile being inserted for strength or tear resistance. Tire cord can be used special cases; rayon, cotton, nylon, or polyester cords are arranged in parallel and bound together by rubber on a calender.

Depending upon intended use and required look or feel, the sheets of rubberized fabric are then smoothed, glazed, polished, or given a moiré or embossed surface. The resulting surface characteristics depend on the pressure exerted by the rollers, on their temperature, composition, and surface designs, and on the type of coating or glaze previously applied to the material to be calendered. Following the calendering process the material is then wound into rolls and placed into storage.