Rubber tiles: production from A to Z. List of necessary equipment and market review

Rubber tiles, the production of which can be carried out independently, should be manufactured according to a certain technology. This material appeared on the market of construction products relatively recently. However, it can be noted that this production, although it is not widely spread, has good prospects. In order to understand what materials to use, it is necessary to consider several characteristics. First of all, the warranty service life of the rubber coating is limited to 20 years. The second thing you need to pay attention to is the anti-slip properties of the coating, which greatly expands the use of such a tile. The third characteristic, which buyers pay attention to, is the high elasticity that prevents the formation of an ice crust in the winter.

Raw materials for rubber tiles

Rubber tiles, which are produced quite often today by private craftsmen, have crushed rubber that acts as a result of the recycling of automobile tires. The resulting material, including recycled tires, has all the qualities that paving slabs should have. Among them, we can identify increased resistance to wear, strength, elasticity and excellent ability to maintain shape. The material is resistant to acid and alkaline media. Rubber tiles, the production of which can be adjusted independently, has an insignificant value, despite the high performance characteristics. This is due to the fact that the material consists of secondary raw materials, namely rubber crumbs, the cost of which is very affordable. You can buy 1 kg of this material for only 30 rubles. The cost of crumbs can be lower, it depends on the color, size, and technology of processing raw materials.

Production technology

If you produce rubber tiles, production of this material can be established in two ways: one involves the use of a hot method, while the second technology involves the use of cold pressing. The equipment for these two technologies is similar to each other. Hot pressing has not been widely spread for the reason that it has side effects. With the increase in production efficiency, the quality of the tiles deteriorated noticeably, wear-resistant qualities decreased, and an unpleasant smell of finished products appeared. The use of the cold method does not give such side effects. The production of tiles from rubber chips requires the first stage of mixing raw materials. Further, pressing occurs at normal temperature of the external medium. At the last stage, the material is dried in the chambers for 6 hours.

Special equipment

If you produce rubber paving slabs, production can be adjusted by purchasing a drying chamber, a mold and a volcanic press. Mixers need at least two.

Technology features

To begin with, the rubber crumb and the other components of the mixture must be loaded into the mixer. This technique has slow-moving blades. As a rule, the hard components of crumb and glue are mixed separately, this necessitates the use of two pieces of equipment. The production of rubber tiles and pavers provides for the installation of a press mold on the table. There is also laying of the composition for the tiles. After the mold, it must be installed in a cart and subjected to pressure. In the next step, the trolleys must be moved to the drying chamber. It maintains a low temperature within 60 degrees. However, high humidity is created. The technology of rubber tile production provides for the need to ensure the conditions under which chemical reactions occur, they guarantee a sufficiently tight connection of crumb, glue and pigment elements. The crumb increases in volume in the course of this, voids appear, filled with a binder component.

The productivity of the production line will be determined by the dimensions of the drying chamber. If you want to engage in production on a commercial basis, then for profitability, you need to select the minimum volume of the camera, which is 200 square meters. Depending on these parameters, other equipment should be selected according to the type of molds and trolleys.

Market Review

If you decide to purchase equipment for the production of rubber tiles, then first you need to probe the soil, which will make it clear whether this production will be profitable. Thus, in the market of building materials, paving slabs are now presented for sale at a price that is equal to 1500 rubles per 1 square meter. Selling it at a wholesale price, you have to reduce the cost, but due to the sale of large quantities and constant production, profitability can be about 40 percent. It is important to know that the initial costs that went into the equipment will pay off within six months. If it is a small enterprise, then this indicator is very good.

Recommendations for the production process

Before starting work and starting a business, you will have to purchase equipment for the production of rubber tiles. It is important at the first stage to try to save. If you use a cold pressing method, then this task will be performed, since the energy will be consumed in not so impressive quantities. However, the savings will not be too great, since continuous production in the oven should be maintained at a constant temperature. But if you prefer hot pressing, the production line will cost four times as much as that which ensures the cold forming of products. That is why it is important to determine which technology will be used.

Conclusion

If, after starting production, the business gained its momentum and you need to increase capacity, it will only be necessary to buy a mold or an additional press. This will not entail too impressive costs. It is worth noting that the establishment of production for the installation of rubber tiles for their own needs is inexpedient. It will be cheaper to purchase finished products on the market of building materials. The benefit will be noticeable only when you decide to make the tile making your business.