What is SAR Rubber?

Reglin SAR 60 Rubber is a premium-grade, 60 Duro natural rubber compound engineered for superior performance in high-wear environments. Specially developed to deliver exceptional abrasion and impact resistance, SAR 60 has been refined over many years of supply to the mining and quarrying industries.

This tough and resilient rubber compound is designed to handle the world’s most demanding bulk materials handling applications. It provides outstanding protection against sliding abrasion caused by dry fine ore and wet slurry, as well as heavy impact from large, sharp, or hard rock. Whether exposed to one or a combination of these aggressive conditions, SAR 60 lives up to its reputation: Built Mine Tough.

What is a CN Bonding Layer?

A CN bonding layer is a semi-cured neoprene-based bonding surface applied to one side of selected Reglin rubber products during manufacture. It is designed to provide a ready-to-bond surface for cold bonding or hot bonding to steel, rubber, or other surfaces without the need for additional surface preparation such as buffing.

The CN layer acts as a chemical bridge between the rubber compound and the adhesive system. Because it is partially vulcanised, the CN layer remains chemically active, allowing it to form strong crosslinks with rubber adhesive systems when correctly applied. This process results in a durable, high-strength bond between the rubber and the substrate.

The CN bonding layer also includes an intermediate layer that enhances flexibility and helps to absorb shear forces at the bond interface, reducing the risk of delamination during service. This makes CN-layered rubber particularly suitable for wear protection linings, rubber-to-metal bonding, and construction bearing applications where high loads, vibration, or movement are present.

In Reglin products, our high-quality CN bonding layer provides a consistent, high-quality bonding surface that ensures excellent adhesion and long-term performance. It simplifies installation, improves reliability, and delivers a permanent bond suitable for demanding industrial and structural environments.

How Is the Oil Resistance of Rubber Tested and Measured?

The oil resistance of rubber is a measure of how well a rubber compound resists swelling, softening, or degradation when exposed to oils or hydrocarbons. Only certain types of rubber are naturally resistant to oil. Compounds such as Nitrile Rubber (NBR) and Viton (FKM) have excellent oil and fuel resistance, while rubbers like Natural Rubber (NR) and EPDM are not suitable for oily environments as they absorb oil and lose strength.

Oil resistance is typically evaluated using the ASTM D471 test method — Standard Test Method for Rubber Property — Effect of Liquids. In this test, rubber samples are immersed in specific reference oils at controlled temperatures and time periods. The samples are then measured for volume change, hardness change, and tensile property variation to determine the degree of oil swelling or deterioration.

The three standard test oils used represent different oil types and conditions:

• Oil No. 1: A light mineral oil (non-polar) that simulates mild oil exposure conditions.
• Oil No. 2: A medium oil (ASTM IRM 902) representing common petroleum-based lubricants.
• Oil No. 3: A heavy oil (ASTM IRM 903) representing severe oil exposure conditions or high aromatic content oils

A smaller percentage of volume change or swelling indicates a more oil-resistant rubber. For example, Reglin Nitrile Rubber Sheeting products typically show very low swell, making them ideal for oil seals and gaskets used in contact with fuels, lubricants, and greases.

What makes HG Rubber High Grade?

HG Rubber is designated as “High Grade” because it is manufactured to a higher standard of material quality, consistency, and performance than general-purpose rubber compounds. Reglin’s HG formulations are engineered for strength, resilience, and long-term stability, making them suitable for demanding structural, bearing and sealing applications in the construction industry.

HG Rubber is produced using premium base polymers, controlled curing systems, and high-quality reinforcing ingredients, ensuring excellent mechanical properties and reliable performance under compressive load, shear, and movement. These compounds maintain shape and function over time, providing dependable load transfer, vibration control, and sealing capability in critical structural interfaces.

What Does MDG 3608 FRAS Certification Mean?

FRAS stands for Fire Resistant and Anti-Static. Rubber that is certified as FRAS has been independently tested and proven to meet the strict safety requirements for use in underground coal mines and other hazardous environments where fire and static electricity pose serious risks.

In Australia, FRAS rubber must comply with MDG 3608, which sets out the mandatory criteria a rubber product must meet before being approved for underground use.

How MDG 3608 Certification Works

To be certified FRAS under MDG 3608, rubber materials must pass several critical test categories:

1. Flame Resistance (Finger Burn Test)

The rubber must self-extinguish quickly and not sustain burning or propagate flame once the ignition source is removed. This ensures the material cannot contribute to the spread of fire in confined underground environments

2. Oxygen Index Requirement

What does a friction coefficient of 0.6 in the NHVR Load Restraint Guide mean?

A coefficient of friction (COF) is a numerical value that measures how much resistance exists between two surfaces when one attempts to slide over the other. The higher the coefficient, the greater the friction and the more resistance there is to movement.

In transport applications, friction plays a critical role in preventing load movement. When cargo sits on a trailer deck, braking, acceleration and cornering forces try to shift the load. The coefficient of friction helps determine how much of that force is resisted by surface grip before additional restraints (such as straps or chains) are required.

A friction coefficient of 0.6, as referenced in the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Load Restraint Guide, means that the friction force between the load and the deck equals 60% of the vertical load force. In practical terms, this level of friction significantly reduces the amount of tie-down restraint required to prevent movement under forward, rearward and sideways forces.

The NHVR Load Restraint Guide is an Australian regulatory document that outlines minimum performance requirements for securing loads on road vehicles. It provides guidance on how to calculate restraint forces and how friction contributes to load stability. Many transport operators use Rubber Load Mat capable of achieving a 0.6 coefficient of friction to support compliance with these requirements and improve overall transport safety.

It is important to note that friction is only one component of a compliant restraint system, but achieving higher friction levels can substantially improve load stability and reduce the risk of load shift incidents.

What is the ASTM D1894-11 Friction Test (Modified for Flat Steel Surface)

ASTM D1894-11 is a standard test method used to determine the coefficient of friction between two materials. The test measures the force required to initiate movement (static friction) and the force required to maintain movement (kinetic friction) between contacting surfaces.

In its standard form, ASTM D1894 is commonly used for plastic film and sheeting, where a test sled is pulled across a material sample under controlled load conditions. For rubber load mat applications, the method is modified to better represent real transport conditions.

When modified for flat steel testing, the procedure involves placing a sample of rubber load mat against a smooth steel plate. A weighted steel sled is positioned on top of the rubber surface to simulate load pressure. The sled is then pulled horizontally at a controlled speed using a calibrated testing machine. The force required to initiate movement is recorded and used to calculate the static coefficient of friction. Continued pulling measures the kinetic coefficient of friction.

This modified flat-surface method provides a practical representation of steel-on-rubber contact conditions found in transport applications. It allows measurement of friction performance in both dry and wet conditions, helping verify that the rubber mat achieves friction levels suitable for load restraint calculations.

It is important to note that laboratory test results provide controlled benchmark values. Actual in-service friction performance will vary depending on surface condition, load type, contamination and environmental factors.

What is ISO 340 Flame Resistance?

ISO 340 is an international test standard used to assess the flame resistance of conveyor belting and rubber materials. The test measures how a material behaves when exposed to a controlled flame source and determines whether it will self-extinguish or continue to burn.

During the ISO 340 test, a rubber sample is exposed to a flame for a specified period. Once the ignition source is removed, the material is assessed to determine how quickly it extinguishes and whether it continues to burn or propagate flame. Materials that meet ISO 340 requirements demonstrate limited flame spread and rapid self-extinguishing behaviour.

For rubber lining products used in mining and mineral processing, ISO 340 testing helps verify that the material will not readily support flame propagation, which is particularly important in plant areas where hot works, friction, or combustible dust may be present.

ISO 340 testing does not mean a product is non-combustible, but it confirms that the material has controlled flame resistance characteristics suitable for higher-risk industrial environments.

ISO 284 is an international test standard used to measure the electrical resistance of conveyor belting and rubber materials. The test determines whether a material has anti-static properties and is capable of safely dissipating static electricity.

During ISO 284 testing, the electrical resistance of the rubber is measured under controlled conditions to confirm it falls within acceptable limits for static control. Materials that meet ISO 284 requirements are considered to have controlled electrical resistance, reducing the risk of static charge build-up and potential spark discharge.