What are Extruded Rubber Profiles?
An extruded rubber profile is a long piece of rubber with a consistent, two-dimensional profile. A third dimension is created when the shape is cut to its desired length. The purpose of an extruded rubber profile is to create a consistent seal or fit along the length of a solar panel, car window, or other plane.
Applications of Extruded Rubber Profiles for Solar Panels
Extruded rubber profiles are highly customizable, making them a desirable option for a wide range of applications. A prime example is the solar panel industry, which relies on extruded rubber gaskets for a range of uses within a single system. Because extruded rubber profiles can be cut to length, solar panel manufacturers can customize each component to match the exact specifications of a given application.
Mounting Systems
Solar panels are secured in place with carefully engineered mounting systems, often with metal frames. These systems include rubber mounts and mounting pads that protect the delicate solar panels from vibration and mechanical stress, which can reduce maintenance costs over time and extend the life of the panels. Some of these rubber mounts are long, extruded rubber profiles that fit along the length of a solar panel, providing a consistent, secure fit.
Seam Gaskets
Because a solar panel’s service environment is almost exclusively outdoors, protecting the system from the elements is critical. In a solar panel assembly, seam gaskets are extruded rubber profiles placed along vulnerable seams, such as the gaps between individual solar panels, to keep dirt, dust, and moisture from penetrating the system. Many seam gaskets are T-shaped, providing a tight fit between the two adjacent planes and extended coverage along the length of the seam. Solar panel rubber gaskets also insulate the system against temperature fluctuations, which is especially valuable in climates that experience extreme heat and cold.
Inverter Enclosure Gasket
Inverter enclosure gaskets are another type of solar panel rubber gasket designed to protect the delicate mechanics of a solar panel assembly from the elements. Specifically, inverter enclosure gaskets shield the solar panel’s electrical enclosure from rain, dust, sand, and washdown, as well as extreme temperatures. These electrical systems are highly sensitive to even the smallest of contaminants. A custom extruded solar panel gasket provides the extremely tight seal necessary for the system to perform as desired, even outdoors.
Benefits of Extruded Rubber for Solar Panel Applications
There are many benefits to leveraging extruded rubber for solar panel gaskets, mounts, and seals. From sealing to weathering resistance, rubber materials offer a range of desirable properties for solar panel gaskets.
Superior Sealing
Protecting the sensitive electronics of solar panels from the elements is critical—and challenging. Solar panels are exposed to temperature fluctuations, precipitation, dust and debris, and countless other environmental stressors while in service. Thankfully, the flexibility and elasticity of rubber materials result in superior sealing performance, making extruded rubber solar panel gaskets an especially valuable part of any solar panel assembly.
UV and Ozone Resistance
Because solar panels are installed and positioned for maximum solar exposure, it is critical to choose materials for the assembly that can withstand intense ozone and UV radiation. Many rubber and polymer materials offer excellent UV and ozone resistance and can be compounded with antidegradants and antiozonants to enhance their resistance properties. This makes extruded rubber an excellent choice for solar panel gaskets, seals, mounts, and other components.
Customizable Shapes and Sizes
Another benefit of choosing extruded rubber for solar panel applications is the tremendous range of customization. Extruded rubber profiles offer virtually unlimited flexibility when it comes to shape and design and can be highly customized for specific applications. This gives engineers the power to design extruded rubber profiles that provide an exact fit, protecting fragile components from contamination and keeping the entire assembly as secure as possible for the duration of its service life.
Choose UP&R for Custom Extruded Rubber Solutions
With our years of experience as a rubber extruder, UP&R can help you choose a rubber compound that meets your needs. We understand the intense service environment of solar panel components and can advise on the right material to ensure the appropriate level of UV and ozone resistance for your solar panel rubber gasket. Whether you’re seeking advice in the early stages of design and compound development or looking for a trusted rubber manufacturer to take your project to the finish line, you can count on UP&R for tailored support, exceptional service, and top-quality solar panel rubber gaskets.
Our ISO 9001 accredited facility in northeast Ohio is equipped for rubber extrusion, molding, and die cutting, along with custom packaging services for completed solar panel rubber gaskets. When you partner with UP&R, you can forego the stress of managing a global supply chain and insulate your finances from fluctuations associated with changing tariffs.
To get started on an extruded rubber profile project for solar panels, talk to us.