Rubber to Metal Bonding Applications

The surface finish required for the metal to bond to rubber must be clean, dry and free from defects. The metal surface is then prepared with a bonding agent before the rubber is applied. The adhesion of the rubber to metal bond is put under extreme conditions of loading in many applications. If the metal begins to corrode under the bond, the interface adhesion is compromised and will ultimately fail. By using Sherardizing as the corrosion protection failure at the interface of the component bond is prevented.

Sherardizing has been proven to be the best corrosion protection system for rubber bonded parts due to the surface texture it produces which has a high coefficient of friction. With Sherardizing the rubber to metal bond strength is not reduced, as is the case with electroplated zinc coatings.

 

Monroe suspension struts for Ford motors - the inner and outer bushes are sherardized before rubber to metal bonding

 

 

 

V’ mount rubber to metal suspension bracket for Jaguar

 

 

 

 

Automotive cross tube suspension mounting bracket

 

 

 

Why use Sherardizing?

The table below shows why Sherardizing is a better choice when choosing a coating for rubber to metal bonding applications.

Coating Properties Comparison:

 

Type of Coating	Coating Properties
Sherardizing	Ideal
Hot Dip Spin Galvanizing	Surface unable to sustain adhesive bond
Mechanical Plating	Shiny surface results in poor adhesion; size limitation on components
Organic Coating Magni – Delta Protekt	Surface unable to sustain adhesive bond
Zinc Electroplating	Surface unable to sustain adhesive bond

Other Bodycote Metallurgical Coatings services include:

Abrasion Resistant Coatings	Chrome Seal	Low Friction Coatings
Advanced Coatings	CoatAlloy™Coatings	Passivation
Anti-fouling Coatings	Decorative Coatings	Plasma Spray Coatings
Anti-coking Coatings	Diffusion Coatings	Sacrificial Coatings
Anti-rusting Coatings	Duplex Coatings	Surface Protection
Anti-seizure Coatings	Engineering Coatings	Surface Sealants
Carbide Coatings	Erosion Resistance	Thermal Diffusion Coatings
Ceramic Densification	Flame Spray Coatings	Tribological Coatings
Ceramic Overlay	Hard Coatings	Wear Resistant Coatings
Chrome Densification	HVOF