Rubber Compound
Custom Rubber Compound Development
AU Industries develops and manufactures proprietary rubber compounds at our facility in Boksburg. Our dedicated R&D programme focuses on creating formulations that deliver superior wear life, chemical resistance, and performance in demanding mining environments.
Our Compounds
AU 40 Black & Red
Our core natural rubber compound engineered for slurry pipe lining and abrasion resistance. Low abrasion loss with high resilience for fine particle applications.
AU 60 Black & Red
A harder natural rubber compound designed for impact zones — chutes, hoppers, and screen decks where larger particles cause cutting and gouging damage.
AU A38 Pink
Our premium compound representing the latest in our R&D programme. Developed for customers requiring extended wear life in aggressive abrasive conditions. Outperforms standard 40 Shore compounds in comparative wear testing.
Bromobutyl
Acid and chemical resistant compound formulated for CIL/CIP tanks, acid plants, and water treatment facilities. Resists mineral acids, alkaline solutions, and saltwater.
Nitrile
Oil and hydrocarbon resistant compound for fuel storage, hydraulic systems, and petrochemical applications.
Custom Formulations
We work with customers to develop compounds tailored to their specific process conditions. Our compound development considers:
- Particle size and shape — sharp vs rounded particles require different formulations
- Slurry concentration — higher solids content demands higher abrasion resistance
- Chemical exposure — pH, acids, solvents, and temperature affect compound selection
- Impact energy — particle size and drop height determine hardness requirements
- Temperature range — operating temperature affects compound performance
Compound Selection Guide
Choosing the right compound is the single biggest factor in lining service life. As a starting point:
- Fine, high-velocity slurry (cyclone feeds, mill discharge) — AU 40 Shore natural rubber, where flexibility lets fine particles bounce off rather than cut.
- Coarse, high-impact material (chutes, hoppers, screen feed) — AU 60 Shore natural rubber for cut and gouge resistance.
- Maximum wear life on critical assets — AU A38 Pink, our premium high-wear compound for the most aggressive duties.
- Acidic or chemically aggressive service (leach circuits, acid plants) — Bromobutyl.
- Oil, fuel, or hydrocarbon contact — Nitrile.
If you are unsure, send us your process conditions and we will recommend the correct compound and lining thickness.
R&D and Quality
AU Industries maintains a dedicated rubber R&D programme focused on continuous improvement of our compound formulations. Every batch is tested for hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, and abrasion resistance before release, and each roll or moulding is labelled with compound type, hardness, and production date for full traceability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 40 Shore and 60 Shore rubber? Shore hardness describes how hard the rubber is. 40 Shore is softer and more resilient, making it ideal for fine abrasive slurry where flexibility absorbs particle impact. 60 Shore is harder and better at resisting cutting and gouging from coarse, high-impact material.
Can you match an existing compound we already use? Yes. Send us a sample or the original specification and our R&D team will match the hardness, profile, and wear characteristics — or recommend an improved compound for longer service life.
What is AU A38 Pink and why is it premium? A38 Pink is our in-house premium compound developed specifically for extended wear life in the most aggressive abrasive conditions. In comparative wear testing it outlasts standard 40 Shore compounds, reducing how often linings need replacing.
Do you supply compound as sheeting, rolls, or mouldings? All three. The same compounds are available as rubber sheeting, as rubber rolls, as bonded rubber lining, and as precision rubber mouldings.
Related Projects
See our compounds in service:
Related Services
