Rubber Gaskets and Sheeting Materials

Commercial (SBR) Grade – There are a number of SBR material compounds offered as a very cost effective commercial grade rubber. They have high wear characteristics and good low temperature flexibility, low compression set and high elasticity. They are resistant to temperatures between -20⁰C and +90⁰C and even resistant to acids and salts however, they are not suitable for applications involving chemicals, ozone, strong acids, oils and most hydrocarbons. These compounds are also only available from 60 to 80 Shore A, do not meet any recognised International standards and are not available as a Food quality grade.  

EPDM – Has excellent resistance to ageing, temperature, weathering, ozone, steam and many chemicals. It has high and low temperature stability as well as steam and water resistance. It has a temperature range of -25⁰C to +100⁰C and has a good resistance to glycol-ether hydraulic fuels but is not suitable for contact with petroleum liquids. It is widely used for flange gaskets. Available from 50 to 80 Shore A compounds can also be manufactured to meet critical applications and Water supply industry approvals. 

Natural – A good level of physical properties with excellent load bearing and wear resistance characteristics, compounded to produce high resilience, good tensile strength and low compression set over a wide range of hardness. A temperature range of -50⁰C to +90⁰C natural rubber also has good resistance to acids and salts but is not recommended for use in contact with oils and hydrocarbons. This product is often used in the construction and engineering fields. Also available to meet critical specifications and Food Quality approvals lends itself to a wide range of applications within the Food, Beverages, Pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. 

Neoprene – Also known as Chloroprene this is an excellent sealing material with good wear characteristics and good flame resistant properties. It has more resistance than natural rubber to sunlight, ozone and oxidation. It has good resistance to heat and does not soften under severe exposure. It has moderate oil resistance but is not suitable for use with petrol. Commercial grades range from 40 to 80 Shore A and offer a good level of physical properties such as Tensile Strength and Compression Set. For more critical applications there are a number of different products available to meet various specifications and standards commonly offering enhanced flame resistance, water resistance or ozone resistance.  

Nitrile – Temperature range -20⁰C to +100⁰C. Having excellent oil and chemical resistance and good mechanical performance at reasonably high temperatures this compound is widely used in applications where hydrocarbons, chemicals and acids are present. It does not, however, possess good resistance to ozone, sunlight or weather. Commercial nitrile rubber is available from 40 to 90 Shore A and has good tensile strength and compression set. Food quality Nitrile rubber is also available making it suitable for the Food, Beverages, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. 

Higher quality nitrile compounds are formulated to meet international standards and specifications within the Aerospace and critical engineering sectors having enhanced oil and chemical resistance. These compounds can be further modified to improve long term resistance to heat, oils and chemicals by chemical processes involving hydrogenation, creating hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR)   

Silicone – Available in various forms and grades to meet specific application requirements Silicone has many unique performance characteristics including low thermal conductivity, thermal stability, low chemical reactivity and toxicity, doesn’t support microbiological growth, is electrically insulating and has high gas permeability. It has very good resistance to sunlight, ozone, oxygen and gases and has a temperature range of -60⁰C to +220⁰C. However, it has poor tensile strength, tear, abrasion and steam resistance 

This family of products, having such important characteristics, makes it exceptionally useful in applications within the Aerospace industry requiring such dimensional stability and chemical resistance, in the electronics industry where electrical insulation is essential and the food, drink and medical industry where the microbial properties are necessary.  

Viton – This is a family of synthetic rubber compounds with a general temperature range of -20⁰C up to 250⁰C and is recognised for its exceptional chemical resistance at elevated temperatures. It is a high quality fluorine containing rubber and is widely used in applications including chemicals, mineral and synthetic oils, greases, lubricants, fuels, acids and alkalis. Viton also has a high specific gravity and is elastic, durable and shock resistant. The mechanical properties are also largely maintained at elevated temperatures. 

Of this family group of products lives Viton A, a seal and gasket material developed to perform in applications with aggressive hydrocarbons and high temperatures, low temperatures and generally very extreme conditions. This range of compounds has been refined to enhance resistance against specific chemicals to support longer working life in environments exposing highly corrosive chemicals such as Toluene and Methanol and to sustain extreme temperature and explosive conditions making it suitable for Aerospace and Petrochemical applications 

Other Rubber Products – Include Hypalon, Butyl, Polyurethane, Fluorosilicone and specially developed compounds and coatings for the Aerospace, defence, chemical, medical and food industries where exceptional performance characteristics in areas of potentially extreme temperature, low gas permeability and wear resistance are required.