rubber

Evaluating Material Properties in Manufacturing to Enhance Efficiency

To produce oil seals and O-rings, various raw materials are blended to achieve the desired performance and physical properties. While raw materials come with data provided by manufacturers and finished products undergo a thorough evaluation, there is less readily available data on intermediate materials, those still in the processing stage before becoming final products. However, analyzing their properties is crucial for product development and manufacturing processes, as they play a key role in industrial production. For nearly 20 years, NOK has independently measured the processing characteristics of these intermediate materials. By expanding the scope of its evaluations, the company aims to improve production efficiency and strengthen its competitive edge.

Making a Hydrogen Society Possible with Rubber Technology

The push to promote hydrogen use is gaining momentum. As carbon neutrality (net zero greenhouse gas emissions) becomes a cucial goal for industries worldwide, hydrogen and ammonia are spotlighted as energy sources that do not emit carbon dioxide (CO2). Ammonia derived from hydrogen further elevates expectations for hydrogen as a next-generation energy source.

Providing Solutions That Meet Needs Quickly: Leveraging Statistical Methods for Material Formulation

Over the years, NOK has accumulated approximately 88,000 rubber material formulation recipes developed in response to changing needs and demands. Currently, the company leverages this vast dataset of recipes to optimize new material formulations through statistical methods. This approach shortens development time and serves as a powerful tool to quickly respond to needs even amidst rapid environmental changes, such as improving vehicle fuel efficiency and adapting to electrification.

What Exactly Is Rubber? The Structure of Rubber and Self-Healing Rubber

NOK's flagship product, the oil seal, is mainly made of rubber. The reason NOK has been able to endow oil seals with such a wide range of functionalities to meet society's needs is its long-standing dedication to original research on rubber. But what exactly is rubber? This article delves into NOK's investigations into the nature of rubber.

Applying Seal Technology to Meet Needs: Supporting Automobiles with NOK

Japan's first oil seal manufacturer, NOK provides high-performance, high-quality products to a wide range of industries, including automotive, construction machinery, agricultural machinery and electronics. Oil seals are used in engines, gears and other components that perform repetitive rotational or reciprocating motions. Their role is to prevent oil, liquids and gases from leaking while ensuring smooth rotational and reciprocating movement. Since decarbonization has become a critical theme for the automotive industry and other sectors, oil seals are also required to achieve higher performance than ever before. Leveraging its long-standing technical expertise, NOK is advancing research and development to ensure every oil seal has optimal functionality.

Providing the Right Products for Advanced Technologies: NOK's Response to Automotive Electrification

NOK's largest customer, the automotive industry, is experiencing what is often called a once-in-a-century transformation. The spread of advanced technologies such as CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) and the global imperative to achieve carbon neutrality (net zero greenhouse gas emissions) are demanding significant adaptive measures from the automotive sector. To keep pace with these rapid changes and ensure its survival, NOK must focus on developing products tailored to these themes.

Evolving Beyond Engine Applications: Oil Seals and Shape Design Technology

Oil seals — one of NOK's core products — vary significantly in shape, materials and structure depending on what is being sealed, the size of the shaft they are mounted on, and the type of movement involved. NOK produces around 60,000 types of oil seals, most of which are specifically designed for particular applications. While oil seals are widely used in automobiles, those used for engines and those installed in drivetrain components require entirely different properties. Despite all being referred to as "oil seals," they are fundamentally distinct products. For example, oil seals used in hub bearings near the wheels have undergone their own unique evolution.