Elastomeric Linings – History & Overview
The commercial use of rubber linings remained insignificant until the early nineteen hundreds. In 1924, the BFGoodrich Company discovered the first cement system that permitted the bonding of rubber to steel. The commercial importance of this rubber to metal bond was realized and shortly afterwards it resulted in a wide use of rubber linings for anti-corrosion applications.
Since the beginning, BFGoodrich rubber linings have been widely acclaimed for their outstanding performance in a wide variety of applications. The success of the lining and bonding system through the years has been a result of the intensive research, development, and testing programs that were carried out over the decades.
Until 1970, BFGoodrich was heavily involved in the applied rubber lining business through its shops in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Akron, Ohio. At that time, the decision was made to establish a network of authorized, independent, applicators and discontinue the application of rubber linings at the two BFGoodrich plants. The newly authorized applicators soon benefited from BF Goodrich’s many years of experience, technical data, and application procedures. In addition to the applicator having access to the large chemical and physical test laboratories in Akron, they also had the availability of the BFGoodrich Research Center in Brecksville, Ohio.
Through the 1980’s BFGoodrich continued to expand its manufacturing presence in the United States and Canada, as well as constantly adding to the library of lining formulations to suit all customer requirements. To enhance focus on the protective lining business segment, centers of excellence were established in Livonia, Michigan and Kitchener, Ontario. This move proved to be the catalyst for an increase in customer commitment and satisfaction for BFGoodrich rubber lining products.
In 1988, the BFGoodrich Company decided to divest itself of all industrial rubber product businesses and concentrate their efforts in the aerospace and aircraft maintenance market segments. Eventually, the US rubber lining business was sold to RJF International Corporation as the Polymeric Protective Linings division with manufacturing remaining in Livonia. Canadian operations were sold to Polycorp Ltd. in 1996 and relocated to a new facility in Elora, Ontario.
On August 26, 2002 Polycorp purchased Polymeric Protective Linings. This purchase reunited two companies that had once been part of BF Goodrich. The combined production lines were consolidated in the Polycorp facility in Elora. This strategic initiative established Polycorp as the largest manufacturer of rubber linings in North America. Further, it allowed Polycorp to maintain its product leadership position by combining the technical and marketing abilities of both companies. Of greater importance than the physical assets, the intellectual property and patents from the BF Goodrich days were again under the control of one company.
Polycorp Ltd. provides and markets a complete line of natural and synthetic rubber lining constructions that offer corrosion, impact and abrasion protection over a wide temperature range. We have over seventy-five years of experience in developing and producing quality linings, starting as BFGoodrich and now as Polycorp.
We will continue to lead our industry in product innovation and technical development, while remaining the benchmark for product quality, customer service, and technical expertise before, during, and after purchase of our products.
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