Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What types of rubber does Ames Rubber Manufacturing use to make parts?
A. A full list of polymers for Molding, Extrusion, and Sheeting as well as gasket materials can be found on our Materials Page. Whether your need is for:

Let Ames Rubber Manufacturing provide the material solution for your unique rubber requirements.
Some of these materials include:

Q. Does Ames Rubber Manufacturing make rubber parts in colors?
A. Yes. Due to the use of Carbon Black as the backbone of many rubber compounds, most synthetic rubber is black, however depending on the polymer, Ames Rubber Manufacturing can provide custom rubber compounds in colors such as yellow, red, orange, blue, gray, purple, brown, and white to enhance the look of your custom rubber product. In silicone, we have translucent bases that can be tinted to the color desired. We even have beautiful glow in the dark silicone in primary colors!
In addition to aesthetics, we can also color parts to help differentiate size or hardness for your parts. Some compounds are more color stable than others and we can give you recommendations on materials if color is required. We can also mark extrusions, molded, die cut or lathe cut parts with identifying marks or part numbers as an option if required.
If you provide a PMS Pantone color number or a physical sample, we can have your rubber parts color matched for an additional charge

Q. Does Ames Rubber Manufacturing make any standard rubber parts?
A. Yes. As well as our custom manufactured items, we offer these "Ames Rubber" products which can be found in the Stock Rubber Parts Page.

• Rubber Tarp Straps - We mold a line of premium "Rubber Tarp Straps" in various sizes.
• Tool Holster - Our "Ames Pneumatic Tool Holster" is a heavy duty rubber tool holder that conveniently and securely holds pneumatic tools of various sizes wherever needed in the workspace or production line. Top and bottom adapters create a total holster system that will fit most air tools regardless of size. Ames Tool Holsters significantly prolong tool life, and help organize the production area.
• Rubber Tubing & Cord - We have standard tooling to create your specific size of Rubber Cord or Tubing, in your desired polymer.
• Rubber Sheets - We mold Rubber Sheets with a thicknesses range from .062" to 1.00" thk in 17"x17", 24"x24", and 36"x36" sheets. Great for small quantities of Mil Spec materials or special hardness or thickness requirements.
• O-Rings - Standard O-rings in Nitrile, Silicone, EPDM and Viton® are in stock for immediate delivery. Non-standard and larger diameter O-rings can be extruded and spliced with no tooling cost.

Q. What is the process for getting a quotation?
A. Simply contact us at your convenience with your specific requirements via email, phone or fax, or use the convenient "Request Quote" button on our website.
What we need from you:

• We can quote on your project utilizing your blueprint, CAD file, sketch, or sample part.
• We also require estimated or actual volume requirements.
• Any required specifications.
• It is also very helpful to understand in what environment the part will be used so we can assist you in the selection of the proper material.
• Finally, be sure and give us your contact information so we can better respond to you.

Q. Do you have a specialty?
A. Our specialty is making high quality rubber products by the most efficient and cost effective means. At Ames Rubber Manufacturing, we pride ourselves on the development and refinement of our varied and diverse manufacturing processes. This gives our customers something that other rubber companies don't always give you, a choice!
For example, we can make a custom rubber washer in a number of ways. Depending on customer requirements, we can:

• Mold it to size. – Highest precision and flexibility of size.
• Mold tubes and grind the OD then Lathe cut. – Larger ODs with precision tolerances.
• Extrude tubing, wrap, grind and Lathe cut. - High volume quantities with precision tolerances.
• Profile Cutting – Guillotine or Fly cut Extruded tubing for high volumes with open tolerances.
• Die Cutting – We can die cut washers when material comes in sheet, and deflection is not an issue.

Q. Do you outsource any work to overseas rubber manufacturers?
A. No! Every part Ames Rubber Manufacturing produces is proudly "made in the U.S.A" at our production facilities in Southern California and Southeastern Tennessee. Since we Mold, Extrude, and Cut at both facilities, we can make your parts closer to you, saving time and money on each shipment.

Q. Can you meet any special material requirements?
A. Yes. As a fully integrated manufacturer, Ames Rubber Manufacturing is equipped to formulate custom compounds specifically designed for your application. We also have compounds that meet standard specifications from the following:

Q. I don't know what type of rubber to use.
A. No problem. Most people likely think of tires, pencil erasers, or rubber bands when we hear the word "rubber". Rubber is used by every person, in every industry, every day, for a myriad of purposes. It's primarily elastic and water-resistant and can be formulated to perform in diverse and wide ranging environments from mild to the extreme. Perhaps its most distinguishing characteristic is that it can be stretched to up to 10 times its original length without breaking; let it go and it snaps back to its original size and shape, virtually unaltered. It can be squeezed, twisted or distorted and again, will spring back to its original shape unchanged.
Rubber consists of thousands of loosely joined molecules to make long, tangled chains. These chains of molecules can be pulled apart and untangled fairly easily, but spring back together upon release—that's what gives rubber its elastic properties.
Rubber can also have high abrasion resistance–higher than steel. Certain polymers can be virtually unaffected by the corrosive action of most common chemicals and can be bonded firmly to metal as well as textiles. Some compounds can be used for food grade applications. Rubber can even be compounded to be non-conductive to electricity.
For these and many other reasons, rubber finds its way into thousands of different products world-wide. Rubber can be formulated for applications ranging from healthcare to aerospace, and military to recreational products - everything from rubber bumpers, washers and grommets, to wetsuits, tubing, gaskets, O-rings, tires and seals.
Tell us the application and the environment for your product's intended use and Ames Rubber Manufacturing will provide a suitable standard compound, or if needed, create a formula compounded specifically for you.

Q. Can you help design the part?
A. While we do not have design engineers on staff, Ames Rubber Manufacturing's experienced and knowledgeable team is ready and able to assist you with your specific applications. Our expertise in elastomers and varied rubber production processes give us a unique "real world" take when your engineers run into problems. We can also assist with CAD drawings during this phase of the design process.

Q. Do you do Rapid Prototypes?
A. Yes. We have some lower cost alternatives to reduce initial cost and accelerate lead time prior to production runs.

• Gasket Cutting - We can make 1 up steel rule dies to cut flat gaskets for both short run and production requirements.
• Molded Parts - We can also make 1 cavity prototype molds in steel or aluminum for initial product testing and first article approval.
• Extrusion - Our extrusion department can create expedited custom profiles with first articles for approval prior to production at an additional cost.

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