1.1 History

CorkRubber (also known as RubberCork / Rubber Cork) was developed in the beginning of the 1960s in United States as a gasket sealing product for oils to be used in the automotive industry - specifically for oil pan and valve cover gaskets, as well as by several other industries such as electrical, gas, footwear, etc.

Bark is harvested 25 to 30 years after the cork oak tree is planted, and then regenerates and is harvested again every 9 years. This is a natural process in which the cork oak tree is never cut down. The cork, a remarkable high quality natural product is then transformed into granules which are selected and separated according to very precise specifications of standard dimensions and weights. This phase is very important and is always supported by a specialized team of technicians and high technology equipment. Regulating the humidity, density and granule size are major criteria, thus achieving the best cork granulate in the world and maintaining cork’s outstanding natural characteristics. The cork granulate is then used for CorkRubber (RubberCork / Rubber Cork) products.

CorkRubber (or RubberCork / Rubber Cork) is derived from the mixture of cork granules with natural or synthetic rubber. It combines the compressibility and recovery characteristics of cork with the oil resistance, flexibility and shelf-life of rubber.

1.2 The Process

In this process, the differentiation of final products is based on the type of granulate, the density of the materials, and also on the various constituents present in the different formulations. The most critical of the latter are the polymers and their respective acceleration systems, related to the various charges and plastifiers.

Mixing cork granules with natural or synthetic rubber depends upon the final application requirements. Cylinders or blocks of CorkRubber (RubberCork / Rubber Cork) form the basic materials for the manufacture of high quality products in a wide range of applications. After the splitting process, CorkRubber (RubberCork / Rubber Cork) sheets and rolls can be transformed into sealing gaskets, anti-vibratic and insulation products, among others.

Through injection and compression moulding processes, we can guarantee the optimum solution for every requirement, with either flat or three-dimensional sealing. Recognized worldwide as CorkRubber's leading authority. Amorim Industrial Solutions has a specialised team of technicians using state-of-the-art technology, quality-certified suppliers and, of course, the best raw-materials.