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As a market leader in supplying sponge, foam, and rubber materials for a wide range of industrial sectors, CB Frost are committed to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation. We have developed an extensive range of fire safe materials, the latest of which is our LSLT neoprene sponge.

Why LSLT Neoprene Sponge?

When we describe a sponge as LSLT, this means that it is a low smoke low toxicity material. And when exposed to fire, LSLT materials do not generate high levels of smoke or toxic fumes. At the early stages of a fire, smoke and toxic fumes are often more dangerous than the fire itself. For example, for occupants of a vehicle such as a train, a buildup of toxic smoke in an enclosed space could make breathing very difficult, so exiting the vehicle would be increasingly hard, even if a fire is not spreading quickly. 

LSLT materials can be just as useful in public buildings (material choice would be dependent on the fire specification and where used). For example, should an airport, train station, public office, or hospital need to be evacuated in the case of a fire, a buildup of smoke could be a considerable problem for people who are not familiar with the layout of a building. 

To improve the safety of insulation materials, we supply a range of LSLT materials that do not emit toxic smoke and fumes. Our LSLT Neoprene sponge material fits into this category of fire safe materials. It is a pure Neoprene sponge, EN45545-2 compliant (the European specification for fire, smoke and toxicity), and widely used in a range of applications, including:

• Enclosure seals
• Anti-rattle seals
• Gap fillers
• HVAC sealing 
• Access panel seals

At CB Frost, we can supply LSLT Neoprene sponge on rolls of 1 metre wide and in a range of thicknesses, or converted in house to produce:

• Gaskets
• Strip/tape
• Sheets

The table below shows LSLT Neoprene Sponge’s EN45545 compliance:

Smoke, Flame and Toxicity – EN45545-2	LSLT Neoprene Sponge
R22 – Interior Seals	HL1, HL2
R23 – Exterior Seals	HL1, HL2

For further information on LSLT Neoprene Sponge, you can download our data sheet, or for assistance in finding the right LSLT material to suit your requirements, simply call us on +44 (0) 121 773 8494. Our experienced team will be glad to assist you.

Food grade, or FDA silicone rubber is a highly resilient and versatile material that is safe and suitable for use in the food and drinks industries. Everywhere in the world, food safety is absolutely vital, and therefore, any material used in the production, storage, or transportation of food and drink must be compliant, and specially designed to meet the unique requirements of the food and beverage processing industries. 

At CB Frost, our general purpose silicone rubber complies with the FDA international guidelines for food grade elastomers, approved to 21CFR155.2600 and EC 1935/2004. FDA silicone is completely non-toxic and contains no chemical fillers or byproducts.

The key advantages of Food Grade Silicone Rubber

• FDA silicone rubber is non-toxic and odourless, ensuring food and drink is safe for consumption after contact with silicone applications.
• Silicone rubber is highly resistant to extreme temperatures, both low and high. It doesn’t degrade when in contact with heat or cold.
• It exhibits excellent resistance to UV, ozone, and general weathering, ensuring that it is well suited to use in outdoor applications.
• Silicone rubber is resistant to most chemicals, making it ideal for food processing.
• Silicone is highly resistant and doesn’t degrade quickly, ensuring that silicone rubber gaskets and other products have a long life-span, helping prevent leakages and failures. It doesn’t harden, crack or become brittle over time.
• FDA silicone features high elasticity and compressibility, ensuring that it retains its intended shape.
• It is WRAS approved for drinking water. Silicone is also naturally water repellent, making it an ideal sealant.
• Food grade silicone is easy to wash and clean after use, ensuring that it stays fit for purpose.
• Various colours are available to suit different purposes.

Key uses of FDA Silicone

Silicone rubber is widely used by manufacturers in food processing and packaging, particularly for applications such as machine parts and gaskets that come into contact with food and drink. As a non-reactive material, silicone is extremely useful for preventing food contamination.

Silicone is also being used as a reusable alternative to single use plastic, and therefore is having a positive influence on the environment. It’s also important to consider that it is manufactured from abundant natural resources.

In addition to food production, silicone rubber is also widely used for medical applications and laboratories where preventing contamination is essential.

Contact CB Frost

To learn more about the properties of FDA silicone rubber, you can download a detailed data sheet from our website. Should you have any further questions, or wish to discuss your silicone requirements, please call us on +44(0)121 773 8494 or contact us here, and we will be happy to assist you.

Following a successful move to our new premises at Matrix Point, Birmingham, CB Frost are currently working with skeleton staffing to supply essential industries during the coronavirus lockdown.

Yesterday, we were contacted by a company manufacturing and supplying protective visors for the NHS. We were asked if we could supply some sponge material for the insulation/protective seals to fit round the visors.

We immediately agreed to provide the NHS supplier with some self-adhesive polyethylene, free of charge. Our team are backing polyethylene roll stock material with adhesive, which will then be sent to the NHS supplier, who will cut the material to suit its purpose, and send the finished visors to the NHS to provide protection for frontline workers treating COVID-19 patients.

You can be assured that CB Frost are adhering to government guidelines, with staffing limited to a skeleton crew and all members of the team maintaining a two-metre distance at all times and sticking to strict hygiene standards. Employee safety comes first.

CB Frost Sales Director, Mark Jones, said “We are proud to be playing a small part in supporting essential workers in the NHS during this time.

“We are extremely thankful for the courageous work of the NHS throughout the coronavirus pandemic, so we did not hesitate to provide sponge material for protective visors free of charge when asked by an NHS supplier.”

For more information on CB Frost’s catalogue of materials, and our inhouse manufacturing capabilities, please call +44 (0)121 773 8494.

Over a number of years, CB Frost have grown to be a market leader in the supply of cellular silicone insulation materials for the rail and modern engineering industries. Our impressive catalogue of specialist rail insulations is paired with our extensive knowledge and experience of gasketing, fabrication and other manufacturing processes.

Here are just a few of the reasons why CB Frost are your go-to provider of rail insulation materials and sealing products.

Our rail materials comply with rail industry standards

Our catalogue of cellular silicone insulation materials for the rail industry complies with rail industry standards including BS6853:1999, EN45545-2, NFF-16-101 and the LUL (London Underground) safety standards, you can be confident that all roll stock and converted materials conform to industry legal regulations.

Our manufacturing capabilities

All rail sector materials are available as roll stock, or can be cut into gaskets, washers and strips (tape). We can also manufacture fabrications and bonded gaskets by joining different materials together to suit specific applications.

We have recently invested in a new high-speed die cutting and kiss-cutting press, allowing us to increase our manufacturing capabilities, whilst maintaining pin-point accuracy.

Our partnerships

CB Frost are proud to be in partnership with two of the rail industry’s most dynamic and respected cellular silicone manufacturers. We are a preferred converter of Rogers Corporation’s BISCO® cellular silicones, using our inhouse capabilities to manufacture a wide range of sealing products from BISCO® materials.

We are also suppliers and converters of Armacell’s ArmaFlex Rail SD and Rail ZH flexible closed-cell insulation materials, which are designed to meet the strict safety requirements of the international railway industry. ArmaFlex rail insulation products feature integrated fire protection and provide an innovative solution for a variety of applications, including:

• Insulation for HVAC, ventilation and refrigeration
• Insulation for plumbing
• Vibration absorption and rattle prevention

 

 

We’re always ahead of the game

In 2018, EN45545-2, the European Standard for fire safety for the rail industry became mandatory across Europe, replacing the old national standards to provide improved safety assurances throughout the continent. At CB Frost, we were ahead of the curve and all of our rail materials were EN45545-2 compliant before this standard became mandatory.

Working with our suppliers and partners, we always aim to be ahead of all industry changes.

Innovative solutions

As specialists in insulation materials and solutions for the rail and mass transit industry, we understand the challenges faced. Just two examples of CB Frost innovations are our introduction of a new EN45545-2 compliant lightweight rail material, CBF SIL-V0, and our metal reinforced silicone profiles.

CBF SIL-V0 is a versatile, lightweight, closed-cell material, which is highly versatile and adaptable for a number of applications within the rail sector, including light seals, HVAC seals, electrical enclosure seals, gap fillers, LCD displays, and anti-vibration.

Metal reinforced silicone edge trims are designed to ensure that sealing profiles for rail stock stay fixed, even subjected to the vibration and shock generated by travelling at high speeds. Metal reinforced profiles featured a core of stainless steel, embedded within a silicone profile, providing an effective seal.

London Underground

Over recent years, CB Frost have worked with the London Underground Network on products to modernise the tube and introduce new trains. Our HT800 silicone foam complies with LUL 1-085, the London Underground standard for fire safety, and is suitable for use within a wide range of London Underground Network applications, particularly within the manufacture of new trains.

For more information on our catalogue of specialist rail insulation materials, or for assistance in choosing the best suited material for application, please call our experienced team on +44 (0)121 773 8494.

Whilst we originally announced our relocation and expansion early last year, we are pleased to say that it’s full steam ahead at our new premises at Matrix Point, Birmingham. After so many false starts, we are now progressing well and are looking to finally move into our new home at the end of March.

Our exterior signage was fitted many months ago, however, we have been hard at work on the interior of the building. Although we initially hit a few stumbling blocks, the framework is now in place for a mezzanine floor to be installed, ready for us to move our plant and machinery over from its current home in Digbeth. The installation of another floor will provide much more floor space, allowing us to considerably increase our current capacity.

Once the move is complete, we are excited to commission our new high-speed cutting and kiss-cutting press, which you may remember that we talked about last year. This machine is designed to operate at speeds of up to 100 strokes per minute, without compromising on the pinpoint accuracy that our customers have come to expect from us. This major investment will play an important part in improving the speed and efficiency of our cutting and kiss-cutting processes.

Once the mezzanine is in place and we can officially start the moving process, we will update you on our latest developments. We look forward to announcing our grand opening day at some time in the near future!

To learn more about our extensive range of specialist materials, including our ArmaFlex rail insulation foams, or for information on our manufacturing capabilities, browse cbfrost-rubber.com or call our sales team on +44 (0) 121 773 8494.

Our ArmaFlex range of flexible closed-cell insulation materials are designed specifically to meet the strict requirements of the international railway industry. Featuring integrated fire protection, our products provide innovative solutions for a wide range of rail applications, including insulation for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration and plumbing, ensuring improved safety and comfort for passengers.

In addition to heat insulation, ArmaFlex rail products are also highly effective for vibration absorption and rattle prevention for body shell parts and doors, again making for a more pleasant experience for passengers onboard.

Making Trains More Environmentally Friendly

In the modern world, rail is certainly the most environmentally friendly form of transportation, but the demands for comfort and amenities onboard modern trains makes them much heavier and expensive to operate. This is where we come in – our rail insulation materials are designed to help the rail industry maintain its green credentials and advantage by considerably improving energy efficiency.

The closed-cell structure of ArmaFlex rail products contributes to massive energy saving potential for the largest energy-consuming applications on passenger rail vehicles:

• ArmaFlex closed-cell materials help to protect HVAC and mechanical equipment against heat loss and condensation, as well as helping to extend their long-term function.
• As well as protecting hot and cold water pipes against temperature fluctuations, ArmaFlex insulation materials also help to prevent the development of bacteria and mould, and contamination with legionella that is often a by-product of unacceptable temperature fluctuations.

ArmaFlex and Fire Safety Standards

All of our ArmaFlex insulation products comply with EN45545-2 requirements, the European standard for fire safety. Whilst in the past, BS6853 UK fire regulations were enough to prove the fire safety compatibility of materials, in 2018, EN45545-2 became mandatory for all rail vehicles throughout Europe. These standards are put in place with the aim of protecting rail passengers and staff against fire and smoke incidents on board rail vehicles.

ArmaFlex Fire Safety Hazard Levels

In compliance with EN45545-2, all rail products are classified according to requirement sets (R1-R26), depending on where the materials will be used, and fire hazard levels HL1, HL2 and HL3, with HL1 being the lowest requirement.

Our ArmaFlex closed-cell insulation materials are the first to achieve hazard levels HL2 and HL3, R1:

• ArmaFlex Rail SD is the first closed-cell insulation material to achieve HL2, R1. Microban technology in this material makes it well suited for preventing the growth of mould and mildew.
• ArmaFlex Rail SD-C provides a higher level of protection than Rail SD, achieving HL3, R1.
• ArmaFlex Rail ZH is the first halogen-free, closed-cell insulation to achieve HL2, R1. Halogen-free materials feature excellent flame-retardant and low smoke density properties.
• ArmaFlex Rail ZH-C is a halogen-free, closed-cell insulation material, achieving HL3, R1, the most stringent hazard level according to EN45545-2.

For further information on our specialist rail materials, please click here, or for assistance in finding the right product for your application, please call our experienced team on +44 (0) 121 773 8494. We will help you select the insulation material to meet your specific requirements.

 

 

It has certainly been a busy year for CB Frost, and a hectic year for UK industry as a whole. With big changes on the horizon for us in the new year, we have taken this time to look back at 2019 through our blog posts and company news.

Investing in the future

Our first big announcement for 2019 was our investment in a new high-speed cutting and kiss cutting machine, which will allow us to increase the efficiency of our manufacturing processes and increase production.

Once the new machine is up and running, it will be operating at speeds of up to 100 strokes per minute, helping us to maintain accuracy whilst also increasing our cutting capacity considerably. A further benefit of the new machinery is that we will be able to reduce scrap material, saving us a considerable sum in the long term.

Supplying the agriculture sector

Early this year, we wrote about our range of materials to suit sealing applications within the agriculture sector. Our knowledge of the demands of the modern farming industry, especially with regards to sealing applications, and our in-house manufacturing capabilities mean that we are well placed to supply durable and effective components, such as gaskets and washers, compression moulded components, and extruded components.

Expansion and Relocation

Our biggest news of the year came in May when we announced our plans for the next phase of CB Frost’s history – our expansion and relocation to new premises in Birmingham. Work has been underway at our new home for some time now, and despite some setbacks, as is often the case, we are looking forward to providing an exciting update on our progress in the near future!

Rail Industry Technology Roadshow

During June, we had the fantastic opportunity to join the Rail Industry Technology Roadshow, taking in some of the major rail industry manufacturing sites in the UK, including Alstom, Hitachi, Bombardier, Siemens, Network Rail, and CAF.

Throughout the roadshow, we worked in partnership with Armacell to showcase their Armaflex® Rail SD range of high-tech closed-cell thermal insulation material, specifically designed rail industry applications such as HVAC insulation. EN45545-2 compliant, Rail SD materials are fire-retardant, with low smoke generation properties.

The event was a great success, generating over 500 contact details and more than 152 enquiries – we were especially happy to hear from the event organisers that we topped the list of exhibitors in terms of the numbers we generated.

Supporting the Castle Vale Concords Over 35s

CB Frost are a team sponsor of local football team, Castle Vale Concords Over 35s, who play in Division 1 of the Central Warwickshire Over 35s Football League. If you are a business in Birmingham, or nearby, the Concords are looking for new sponsors going forward.

In case you missed them, other key topics that we talked about in 2019 include:

• Silicone sponge profiles
• Gasket Manufacturing in Birmingham
• CB Frost and UK Manufacturing
• Common applications for EPDM Rubber
• What makes Silicone Rubber such a key material?

If you would like to learn more about our catalogue of materials and our manufacturing capabilities, please feel free to contact our friendly team by calling +44 (0) 121 773 8494. We will be happy to assist you however we can.

If you are looking for a rubber product that is versatile, durable and suitable for multiple applications, silicone rubber should always belong in the conversation. Due to its many advantageous properties, silicone rubber is a mainstay in a wide range of industrial sectors, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical and even food and drink production.

Let’s talk through some of the properties that make silicone rubber such a highly sought-after material.

Excellent resistant properties

One of the major benefits of silicone is that it maintains a high level of flexibility and low compression set even when subjected to extreme low and high temperatures. It also exhibits fantastic resistance to UV and ozone, making it an ideal material for applications in harsh outdoor environments.

It’s important to consider that silicone rubber is also highly resistant towards water, acids, bases, chemicals, oils and fungus.

As a result of these many resistant properties, silicone rubber can be trusted to be reliable for a long time, maintaining its durability and performance, even when in contact with extreme conditions.

Sealing abilities

As a result of the above properties, solid silicone is a high-quality sealing material for a wide range of applications. Silicone rubber gaskets are commonly used for engineering applications such as:

• Sealing gaskets
• Window and door seals
• Oven door gaskets
• Sound and vibration dampening gaskets
• Wire and cable jacketing
• Electrical insulation seals

Many silicone grades also have strong fire and smoke resistant qualities, making them useful for gasket applications within the rail industry. All CB Frost silicone rubber gaskets comply with the European standard for fire safety in the rail and mass transit industry (EN45545-2).

Sterilisation properties

Silicone rubber is odourless, tasteless and non-toxic, is compatible with FDA regulations, and can be sterilised in a number of different ways. As a result, silicone rubber materials are suitable for food preparation, water purification and medical industry applications.

Common medical applications for FDA solid silicone include feeding devices, implant materials, medical pumps, and seals for dialysis machines.

Versatility

Silicone rubber is highly mouldable, making it an ideal material to mould, extrude and cut into shapes to fit the specific requirements of different applications.

As well as being versatile in terms of shape, silicone rubber material can also be supplied in shore AQ hardness ranging from 30-80, in a range of colours (white, translucent, blue or black as standard, or colour matched for an extra cost), and in a range of thicknesses.

For more detailed information on rubber materials and gaskets for different applications, please contact our sales team by calling +44 (0) 121 773 8494. We will be happy to assist you.

 

CB Frost are proud to sponsor Birmingham based football team, the Castle Vale Concords Over 35s.

Castle Vale Concords play in Division 1 of the Central Warwickshire Over 35s Football League and the 2019-2020 season is the third season they have played together as an over 35s team. In the 2017-2018, the Concords finished runners up of Division 2 and were promoted, before finishing fifth place in Division 1 last season.

It has been a successful start to the season for Castle Vale Conchords Over 35s and they are currently top of the league.

As team sponsors, CB Frost’s logo can be seen on the Concords’ warm-up jackets, which are worn pre-match at home and away matches, helping to promote CB Frost throughout the Midlands region.

As a Birmingham company with close to 100 years history in the city, supporting the Castle Vale Concords Over 35s team has provided a great opportunity for CB Frost to give back to our local community, whilst also generating more brand awareness.

We wish the Concords the best of luck in the rest of the season, and fingers crossed, a promotion into the Central Warwickshire Over 35s Football League Premier Division 1!

For anyone interested in supporting the Concords, they play their home games at Castle Vale Stadium, Farnborough Road, Castle Vale, Birmingham, B35 7LQ. Their fixture list can be found on the FA website.

If you are a business in Birmingham or the surrounding area, the Castle Vale Concords Over 35s team are also looking for new sponsors going forward.

The first synthetic rubber was developed in 1909 by a team headed by German organic chemist, Fritz Hofmann, working at the Bayer laboratory in Germany. Hofmann and his team succeeded in polymerising isoprene, creating the first synthetic rubber.

Despite the invention of synthetic rubber in the early 20^th century, natural rubber continued to be widely used until the 1960s to meet the increasingly complex needs of manufacturers. With an increasing need for a rubber material with UV/ozone resistance, combined with elasticity, scientists developed Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, commonly known as EPDM, a synthetic rubber with enhanced properties when compared with natural rubber.

EPDM properties

EPDM rubber features excellent elasticity and resistance to UV rays, ozone and general weathering, as well as an excellent resistance to extreme temperatures (between -40°C and +130°C), making it an ideal material for outdoor applications.

In addition to great weathering properties, EPDM also exhibits good resistance to water-based chemicals and vegetable-based hydraulic oils. However, EPDM should not be exposed to hydrocarbons such as petrol or kerosene, aromatics, or halogenated solvents.

Where EPDM is used

As a result of its useful properties and longevity, EPDM rubber is widely used in a range of applications and industrial sectors. Here are just a few of the common applications:

Automotive

EPDM is weather, UV and ozone resistant, features excellent sealing and noise reduction properties and bonds well with metals. As a result, it is commonly used as a weather sealing material in the automotive industry. EPDM is also a useful material for vibration isolation and is used as a barrier against road surface and engine vibration.

Lighting

The sealing and weather resistant properties combined with UV and ozone stability make EPDM an appropriate material for lighting. It helps to protect lighting components from the ingress of water and dust, helping to prevent damage and reduce the likelihood of costly repair or replacement fees. EPDM is designed to last.

HVAC and Heating

EPDM is used in a wide range of applications in heating, air conditioning and ventilation, for example, compressor grommets, drain tubes, panel gaskets and seals, and pressure switch tubing. EPDM features many benefits for HVAC systems, including:

• Low electrical conductivity
• Water and steam resistance
• Extreme temperature resistance
• Vibration isolation
• Weather, UV and ozone resistance

Roofing

The properties of EPDM mean that it is widely used for roof membranes and coatings, particularly for flat roof systems.

Other Industrial Uses

EPDM rubber is widely used in industry and construction. For example, in water and plumbing systems, common applications include O-rings and hoses. In industrial applications, EPDM is commonly used in tubing, belts, grommets, and electrical insulations.

CB Frost EPDM Products

We keep EPDM rubber sheet material in stock at all times in a range of thicknesses and shore hardness, ensuring fast turnarounds on orders. Please note that we can also provide thicker specifications on request.

Whether you are looking for EPDM sheet or roll material, EPDM gaskets, washers, extrusions, fabrications, mouldings, or EPDM tape, contact the CB Frost sales team today on +44 (0)121 773 8494 for more information.