Rubber Gasket Material

We can manufacture rubber gaskets to any dimensions and in any shape, from any type of rubber. Whether you are after a standard part, or something bespoke, simply give us a call or send us your drawing and we will be happy to offer you a quotation.

General Information About Rubbers

Rubber is the most important class of materials for sealing in the medium temperature range (-50ºC to +120ºC). This is because rubbers rapidly return to their original shape when any deforming stress or load is removed.

Parts can be manufactured from the following rubbers; natural, neoprene, nitrile, EPDM, silicone, viton, styrene butadiene, butadiene acreionitrile, ethylene propylene, butyl and hypalon.

Many rubbers are available for various working conditions; however they all have one property in common – the effect of heat is cumulative and irreversible. They can be used in a variety of working conditions; typically used with water, oils, chemical and other low pressure fluid applications. Examples of rubber gaskets include everything from standard pipe gaskets, to oil and manway gaskets.

The kind of rubber gasket you require will depend upon what you want it to do and the conditions in which you want it to operate. For instance, if your application involves water you should consider using neoprene or EPDM. If you require a part with oil and fuel resistance, you should consider nitrile or Viton®. The properties of the gasket will depend upon the type of rubber from which it is manufactured.

Maximum temperatures must not be exceeded and a good design will allow a safety margin dependent on design sevice life.

Many rubbers are available in foam (sponge) form for simple gasket sealing applications.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for or require a bespoke material, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Buna-N/Nitrile Rubber

Buna-N is the American term for Nitrile rubber, it is also known as: Butadiene Acrilonitrile, Perbunan or NBR rubber. Grades vary on their properties due to their acrylonitrile content. A high acrylonitrile content has a better oil resistance while a low acrylonitrile content has better resilience and low temperature flexibility.

Nitrile has outstanding resistance to: oils, petrols, solvents and lubricants but has poor ozone resistance. As such, nitrile gaskets are particularly suited for use with fats, oils, fuels and other liquids contaminated by these.

We stock nitrile in commercial, specification and white food quality grades. It is ideally used in temperatures ranging from -20ºC to +110ºC (Dependant on grade).

Popular examples of gaskets made from nitrile are: Oil gaskets and Cover gaskets.

Buna-N/Nitrile Rubber Specification and Technical Details:

• Is good for use with water and oil
• Has good resistance to petrol and acids
• Has good impermeability to gases
• Has good abrasion resistance
• Has good recovery
• Condition: New
• Thicknesses Available: 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm
• Sheet Size Available: 1.4M x any multiple up to 20M
• Supplier: VINDEC

EPDM Rubber

EP (ethylene propylene) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubbers have good chemical, mechanical and wear resistance properties. They are used in anti-vibration, sealing and electrical insulation applications. EPDM gaskets are widely used in the water industry.

Ethylene Propylene (EPDM) : EPM (EPR) is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. EPDM is a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene, and a diene third monomer used for cross-linking.

These rubbers also have excellent weathering and ozone resistance. Certain types of EPDM are WRAS approved and suitable for use with potable water. EPDM is ideally used in temperatures ranging from -40ºC to +120ºC.

EPDM Rubber Specification and Technical Details:

• Is good for use with potable (drinking) water
• Is good for use with acids
• Has good ozone resistance
• Has good impermeability to gases
• Has good abrasion resistance
• Has good recovery
• Condition: New
• Thicknesses Available: 3mm, 6mm
• Sheet Size Available: 1.5M x any multiple up to 10M
• Supplier: VINDEC

Neoprene (CR) Rubber

Neoprene rubber (otherwise known as polychloroprene or chloroprene rubber) exhibits good chemical inertia. It is commonly used in electrical installations and weather sealing applications.

Neoprene is particularly suitable for use with water; be that salt or fresh water – although for potable (drinking) water it is better to use EPDM rubber.

Chloroprene (CR) : Also known by the tradename Neoprene®, polychloroprene was the first synthetic rubber and exhibits generally good ozone, aging, and chemical resistance. It has good mechanical properties over a wide temperature range.

It doesn’t support combustion, but self extinguishes. Neoprene also has good resistance to sunlight, ozone and oils. It is ideally used in temperatures ranging from -20ºC to +110ºC.

Neoprene (CR) Rubber Specification and Technical Details:

• Is good for use with sea water
• Has good ozone resistance
• Has good impermeability to gases
• Has good abrasion resistance
• Has good recovery
• Condition: New
• Thicknesses Available: 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm
• Sheet Size Available: 1.4M x any multiple up to 20M
• Supplier: VINDEC

Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber gaskets are known for their chemical inertia and as such are useful in extreme environments and temperatures from -55ºC to +300ºC.

Popular examples of gaskets made from silicone are: food quality gaskets and pharmaceutical quality gaskets. Silicone is also a very stable material, used in extreme environments. It is also electrically insulating.

Silicone (VMQ) : Silicones possess good insulating properties and tends to be physiologically neutral. However, silicone elastomers have relatively low tensile strength, poor tear and wear resistance.

Silicone Rubber Specification and Technical Details:

• Is good for use with water
• Has good ozone resistance
• Is good for use with natural gas
• Has good recovery
• White silicone is electrically insulating
• Condition: New
• Thicknesses Available: 1.5mm, 3mm, 6mm
• Sheet Size Available: 1.2M x any multiple up to 20M
• Supplier: VINDEC

Viton® Rubber (FKM)

Viton® is a brand name for DuPont’s fluoropolymer elastomer. In comparison to other elastomers, Viton® can withstand a higher temperature.

Viton® rubber gaskets are used in the presence of aggressive chemicals, fuels and explosive gases; and as such have application in the oil, gas and mining industries.

Fluorocarbon (FKM) : Fluorocarbon (FKM) has excellent resistance to high temperature and a broad range of chemicals. Permeability and compression set are excellent.

We manufacture from DuPont Viton®; a commercial grade (FKM) is also available.

Viton® Rubber Specification and Technical Details:

• Is good for use with petrol
• Has good resistance to acids
• Has good ozone resistance
• Has good impermeability to gases
• Condition: New
• Thicknesses Available: 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm. Other thicknesses available, on request.
• Sheet Size Available: 1.2M x any multiple up to 20M
• Supplier: VINDEC

SBR Rubber / Styrene-Butadiene Rubber

Styrene-butadiene or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) describe families of synthetic rubbers derived from styrene and butadiene (the version developed by Goodyear is called Neolite. These materials have good abrasion resistance and good aging stability when protected by additives.

Butyl Rubber / IIR Rubber

Butyl rubber (isobutylene-isoprene rubber or IIR) has a very low permeability rate and good electrical properties, but poor short-term rebound.

Ethylene Acrylic Rubber / AEM Rubber

Ethylene acrylate is a mixed polymer of ethylene, methyl acrylate and a small amount of carboxylated cure-site monomer. Developed as a lower-temperature version of Polyacrylate, but swells slightly more. Polymer is sold under the tradename VAMAC®.

 Fluorosilicone Rubber / FVMQ Rubber 

Fluorosilicone is a silicone polymer chains with fluorinated side-chains for improved oil and fuel resistance. The mechanical and physical properties are very similar to those of silicone.

 Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber / HNBR Rubber 

Hydrogenated nitrile was developed as an air-resistant variant of nitrile rubber. In HNBR, the carbon-carbon double bonds in the main polymer chain are saturated with hydrogen atoms in a process called “hydrogenation” that improves the material’s thermal stability and oxidation resistance.

Perfluoroelastomer Rubber / FFKM Rubber

Perfluoroelastomer is a rubber version of PTFE. Available from Parker under the tradenames Parofluor™ and Parofluor ULTRA™.

Acrylic Rubber/ ACM Rubber

ACM (acrylic rubber) has good resistance to mineral oil, oxygen and ozone. The water compatibility and cold flexibility of ACM are considerably worse than with NBR.

Which Rubber Do I Need?

Rubber is probably the most common gasket material, and it comes in many different types. If you are unsure as to which rubber is best for your application then you can consult our gasket material selector or our guide to rubbers. Alternatively, we are always happy to offer technical help and advice so if you require assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us.

As a general rule, rubbers:

• Are good for use with water
• Are compatible for use with acids and alkalis
• Have good abrasion resistance
• Are available in various colours