<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.6

                                 INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

                                     BY AND AMONG

                               BURKE INDUSTRIES, INC.,

                     MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

                     MASSMUTUAL CORPORATE VALUE PARTNERS LIMITED,

                         MASSMUTUAL HIGH YIELD PARTNERS LLC,

                             PARIBAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

                                         AND

                       JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY



                             DATED AS OF AUGUST 20, 1997

<PAGE>

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS


ARTICLE I     DEFINITIONS......................................................2

    Section 1.01.  Definitions.................................................2

ARTICLE II    AUTHORIZATION, SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE.
              SECURITIES.......................................................6

    Section 2.01.  Authorization; Agreement to Sell and Purchase...............6

    Section 2.02.  Closing.....................................................6

ARTICLE III   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...................................7

    Section 3.01.  Representations and Warranties of the Company...............7

    Section 3.02.  Representations and Warranties of Purchasers...............10

ARTICLE IV    ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES............................10

    Section 4.01.  Taking of Necessary Action.................................10

    Section 4.02.  Conduct of Business; Line of Business......................11

    Section 4.03.  Inspection of Property.....................................11

    Section 4.04.  Use of Proceeds............................................12

    Section 4.05.  Transfer of Securities.....................................12

    Section 4.06.  Further Assurances.........................................13

    Section 4.07.  Allocation of Purchase Price...............................14

    Section 4.08.  Information Rights.........................................14

ARTICLE V     CONDITIONS......................................................15

    Section 5.01.  Conditions of Purchase.....................................15

    Section 5.02.  Conditions of Sale.........................................16

ARTICLE VI    TERM............................................................17

    Section 6.01.  Termination................................................17

    Section 6.02.  Effect of Termination......................................17

ARTICLE VII   MISCELLANEOUS...................................................17

    Section 7.01.  Survival of Representations and Warranties.................17

    Section 7.02.  Notices....................................................18


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<PAGE>

    Section 7.03.  Entire Agreement; Amendment................................19

    Section 7.04.  Counterparts...............................................20

    Section 7.05.  Governing Law..............................................20

    Section 7.06.  Public Announcements.......................................20

    Section 7.07.  Fees and Expenses..........................................20

    Section 7.08.  Successors and Assigns.....................................20

    Section 7.09.  Arbitration................................................21

    Section 7.10.  Specific Performance.......................................21

    Section 7.11.  Captions...................................................21

    Section 7.12.  Mutual Waiver of Jury Trial................................22


                                          ii
<PAGE>

                                  ANNEX AND EXHIBITS

ANNEX I    Number of Shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants; Purchase
           Price

EXHIBIT A  Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
EXHIBIT B  Form of Registration Rights Agreement
EXHIBIT C  Form of Shareholders Agreement
EXHIBIT D  Form of Warrant
EXHIBIT E  Matters to be Covered in Opinion of Company Counsel
EXHIBIT F  Form of Restated By-Laws


                                         iii
<PAGE>

                                 INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

         INVESTMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 20, 1997 (this "AGREEMENT"),
by and among BURKE INDUSTRIES, INC., a California corporation (the "COMPANY"),
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ("MMLIC"), MASSMUTUAL CORPORATE
VALUE PARTNERS LIMITED ("MMCVP"), MASSMUTUAL HIGH YIELD PARTNERS LLC ("MMHYP")
and JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ("JACKSON NATIONAL" and, together
with MMLIC, MMCVP and MMHYP, the "SERIES A PURCHASERS") and PARIBAS NORTH
AMERICA, INC. ("PARIBAS," or the "SERIES B PURCHASER" and, together with the
Series A Purchasers, the "PURCHASERS").  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined
where used shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in Article I.

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has determined to
effect a recapitalization of the Company pursuant to which, among other things,
(i) J.F. Lehman Equity Investors I, L.P. ("JFLEI") will make a capital
contribution in the amount of $20.0 million to JFL Merger Co. ("MERGERCO") and
(ii) MergerCo will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving
such merger (the "Merger"), pursuant to which, among other things, (A) each
share of common stock, without par value, of the Company issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Merger, other than certain shares held by certain
shareholders and members of management, will be converted into the right to
receive approximately $9.16 per share in cash and (B) each outstanding and
vested option and each outstanding warrant to purchase a share of Common Stock
of the Company will be converted into the right to receive cash in the amount of
approximately $9.16 per share less the exercise price for such option, (iii) as
provided herein, substantially simultaneously with the consummation of the
Merger, Burke will issue the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred
Stock and the Warrants in exchange for aggregate consideration of $18.0 million,
(iv) the Company will issue $110.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 10%
Senior Notes due 2007, and (v) the Company will enter into a credit agreement
(the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") providing for revolving credit and letter of credit
facilities of up to an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million (all such
transactions shall be collectively referred to herein as the
"RECAPITALIZATION");

         WHEREAS, as a part of and a condition to the Recapitalization,
Purchasers have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase, and the Company
has agreed to sell, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (i)
shares of its Series A Preferred Stock to the Series A Purchasers, (ii) shares
of its Series B Preferred Stock to the Series B Purchaser and (ii) Warrants to
purchase its Common Stock; and

         WHEREAS, the Company and Purchasers desire to set forth certain
agreements herein.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained and intending to be
legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE I

                                     DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01.  DEFINITIONS.

         As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth below:

         "AFFILIATE" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person
    which directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under
    common control with such Person.  As used in this definition, "control"
    (including its correlative meanings, "controlled by" and "under common
    control with") shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to
    (i) direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether
    through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership
    interests, by contract or otherwise) or (ii) vote 10% or more of the
    securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or
    Persons performing similar duties) of such Person.  For purposes hereof,
    "Affiliates" of the Company shall include all holders of Common Stock and
    securities exercisable for or convertible into Common Stock party to the
    Shareholders Agreement.

         "AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION" shall mean the
    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, setting forth the rights,
    preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Series A Preferred Stock
    and the Series B Preferred Stock, which are attached hereto as EXHIBIT A.

         "ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Amended and Restated Articles of
    Incorporation, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Warrants.

         "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a
    day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
    obligated by law or executive order to close.

         "CLOSING" and "CLOSING DATE" shall have the meanings set forth in
    Section 2.02(a).

         "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the Company's common stock, without par
    value.

         "COMPANY SUBSIDIARY" shall mean any Subsidiary of the Company.

         "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION" shall mean, as to any Person, any provision
    of any note, bond or security issued by such Person, or of any mortgage,
    indenture, deed of trust, lease, license, franchise, contract, agreement,
    instrument or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or
    any of its property is subject.

         "DEBT OFFERING MEMORANDUM" shall mean the final, dated August 14,
    1997, of the offering memorandum with respect to the offering by MergerCo
    and the issuance by the


                                          2
<PAGE>

    Company of the Senior Notes, which final offering memorandum was delivered
    to Purchasers prior to the date of this Agreement.

         "ELIGIBLE TRANSFEREE" shall mean, in the case of the Series A
    Preferred Stock, any other Series A Purchaser, and, in the case of the
    Series B Preferred Stock, any other Purchaser and, in the case of either
    the Series A Preferred Stock or the Series B Preferred Stock, any partner
    of any Purchaser, any Person who controls or is under common control with
    any Purchaser, any successor to any Purchaser or any such other Person and
    any "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A promulgated
    under the Securities Act.

         "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
    amended.

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the
    United States of America in effect from time to time.

         "GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY" shall mean any nation or government, any state
    or other political subdivision thereof, any entity exercising executive,
    legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
    pertaining to government and any self-regulating organization, securities
    exchange or securities trading system.

         "INITIAL PERCENTAGE" shall mean 20% of the Common Stock on the Closing
    Date, calculated on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to (i) the
    conversion and exercise of all outstanding warrants, options and other
    securities of the Company convertible or exercisable for Common Stock
    (whether or not such securities are then currently exercisable) and (ii)
    the issuance and exercise of the Warrants.

         "INITIAL PURCHASERS" shall mean Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
    Company, MassMutual Corporate Value Partners Limited, MassMutual High Yield
    Partners LLC, Jackson National Life Insurance Company and Paribas North
    America, Inc.

         "JFLEI" shall mean J.F. Lehman Equity Investors I, L.P., a Delaware
    limited partnership and the sole shareholder of MergerCo.

         "LEHMAN" shall mean J.F. Lehman & Company, a Delaware corporation.

         "LEHMAN AGREEMENT" shall mean the management agreement to be entered
    by and among the Company and Lehman on the Closing Date.

         "LIEN" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
    encumbrance, lien (statutory or other) or security agreement of any kind or
    nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or
    other title retention agreement or any financing lease having substantially
    the same effect as any of the foregoing).


                                          3
<PAGE>

         "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean a material adverse effect on (i)
    the assets, properties, business, financial condition, results of
    operations or prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken
    as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to
    perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents or
    (iii) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the
    Ancillary Documents or the rights or remedies of any Purchaser hereunder
    and thereunder.

         "MERGER" shall mean the merger of MergerCo with and into the Company
    on the Closing Date, with the Company as the surviving entity.

         "MERGER AGREEMENT" shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
    as of August 13, 1997, by and among JFLEI, MergerCo, the Company and all of
    the shareholders of the Company, pursuant to which, among other things,
    MergerCo has merged with and into the Company, with the Company as the
    surviving entity.

         "MERGERCO" shall mean JFL Merger Co., a California corporation and a
    wholly owned subsidiary of JFLEI.

         "PERMITS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(h).

         "PERSON" shall mean an individual, corporation, limited liability
    company, unincorporated association, partnership, group (as defined in
    Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), trust, joint stock company, joint
    venture, business trust or unincorporated organization, any Governmental
    Entity or any other entity of whatever nature.

         "PREFERRED STOCK" shall mean the authorized preferred stock of the
    Company, without par value.

         "PRO RATA SHARE" with respect to each Purchaser, shall mean a fraction
    the numerator of which is the aggregate purchase price payable by such
    Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement and the denominator of which is $18.0
    million.

         "RECAPITALIZATION" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

         "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" shall mean the Warrantholders
    Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company
    and the Purchasers at the Closing, which shall be in the form attached
    hereto as EXHIBIT B.

         "RELATED DOCUMENTS" shall mean the collective reference to the Merger
    Agreement, the Debt Offering Memorandum, the Indenture with respect to the
    Senior Notes, the Senior Notes, the Credit Agreement and the Lehman
    Agreement.

         "REQUIREMENT OF LAW" shall mean, as to any Person, the certificate of
    incorporation and by-laws or other organizational documents of such Person,
    and any law, statute, order, treaty, rule, regulation or guideline, or
    judgment, decree,


                                          4
<PAGE>

    determination or order of any arbitrator, court or other Governmental
    Entity, applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property.

         "SEC" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "SECURITIES" shall mean the collective reference to the Series A
    Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock and the Warrants.

         "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "SENIOR NOTES" shall mean the 10% Senior Notes Due 2007 of the Company
    to be offered pursuant to the Debt Offering Memorandum.

         "SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK" shall mean the Series A 11.5% Cumulative
    Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Company, without par value, stated
    liquidation value of $1,000 per share and having the designations, relative
    rights, preferences and limitations set forth in the Amended and Restated
    Articles of Incorporation.

         "SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK" shall mean the Series B 11.5% Cumulative
    Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Company without par value, stated
    liquidation value of $1,000 per share and having the designations, relative
    rights, preferences and limitations set forth in the Amended and Restated
    Articles of Incorporation.

         "SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT" shall mean the Shareholders Agreement dated
    as of the Closing Date, to be executed and delivered by the Company, JFLEI,
    the Purchasers in their capacity as holders of Warrant Shares upon exercise
    of the Warrants and by the other shareholders of the Company named therein,
    which shall be in the form of EXHIBIT C hereto.

         "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership
    or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests
    having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership
    interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a
    contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other
    managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time
    owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or
    indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

         "WARRANT" shall mean a warrant, in the form of EXHIBIT D, issued by
    the Company to acquire upon exercise one share of Common Stock (as adjusted
    from time to time pursuant to the terms thereof) and any warrant issued
    upon transfer, division or combination thereof or in substitution therefor.

         "WARRANT SHARES" shall mean shares of Common Stock issued upon
    exercise of Warrants.


                                          5
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE II

                  AUTHORIZATION, SALE AND PURCHASE OF THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01.  AUTHORIZATION; AGREEMENT TO SELL AND PURCHASE.

         (a)  Upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Company has authorized the issuance and sale to Purchasers of (i)
18,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the Series A Purchasers, (ii) 2,000
shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Series B Purchaser and (iii) Warrants
exercisable for a number of Warrant Shares equal to the Initial Percentage
(which Warrant Shares shall be subject to adjustment from time to time pursuant
to the terms of the Warrants).

         (b)  Upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
and in reliance upon the representations and warranties hereinafter set forth,
the Company agrees to issue, sell and deliver to Purchasers at the Closing
provided for in Section 2.02 hereof, and each Purchaser severally and not
jointly agrees to purchase from the Company, the number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as the case may be, set forth on
ANNEX I hereto along with the Warrants as shall be exercisable for a number of
Warrant Shares equal to the Purchaser's Pro Rata Share of the Initial Percentage
(which Warrant Shares shall be subject to adjustment from time to time pursuant
to the terms of the Warrants) (which such number of Warrants is set forth on
ANNEX I hereto), for an aggregate purchase price with respect to each such
Purchaser as is set forth on ANNEX I hereto.

SECTION 2.02.  CLOSING.

         (a)  Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth
in this Agreement, the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section
2.01 (the "CLOSING") shall take place at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
LLP, 200 Park Avenue, 48th Floor, New York, New York, on the first day on which
the conditions in Sections 5.01 and 5.02 are satisfied or waived by Purchasers
or the Company, as the case may be (the "CLOSING DATE"), or at such other time
and place as may be mutually agreed upon by Purchasers and the Company.

         (b)  At the Closing:  (i) the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser,
against payment of the purchase price therefor, (A) certificates for the Series
A Preferred Stock or the Series B Preferred Stock as the case may be, to be sold
in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01, registered in the name of
such Purchaser or its nominee and in such denominations as such Purchaser shall
specify not less than three Business Days prior to the Closing Date and (B)
certificates evidencing the Warrants to be sold in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.01, registered in the name of such Purchaser or its
nominee; (ii) each Purchaser, in full payment for such Securities, against
delivery of the stock certificates and Warrants referred to above shall deliver
to the Company on the Closing Date immediately available funds, by wire transfer
to such account as the Company shall specify at least three Business Days prior
to the Closing Date, in the amount of the purchase price to be paid hereunder by
such Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.01; and (iii) each party shall take or
cause to be taken such other actions,


                                          6
<PAGE>

and shall execute and deliver such other instruments or documents, as shall be
required under Article V hereof.


                                     ARTICLE III

                            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 3.01.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

         (a)  ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING OF THE COMPANY.  Each of MergerCo
and the Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of California and has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to
carry on its businesses as they are now being conducted.  Each of MergerCo and
the Company is duly licensed or qualified as a foreign corporation for the
transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other
jurisdiction in which its ownership or leasing of properties, or the conduct of
its businesses requires such licensing or qualification and good standing,
except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified and in good standing in
any such jurisdiction would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each of
MergerCo and the Company has, prior to the date hereof, delivered to Purchasers
a true and complete copy of their respective articles of incorporation and
by-laws in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

         (b)  AUTHORIZATION; NO CONFLICTS.  The Company has full corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and each Ancillary Document and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company.  This
Agreement has been, and on or prior to the Closing Date each Ancillary Document
will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company.  This Agreement
constitutes, and upon its execution and delivery on or prior to the Closing Date
each Ancillary Document will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation
of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors generally and by
general equitable principles.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, the consummation of the transactions by
the Company contemplated hereby and thereby and the compliance by the Company
with the provisions hereof and thereof will not conflict with, violate or result
in a breach of any provision of, require a consent, approval or notice under, or
constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both,
would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of or accelerate
the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration
under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or
assets of the Company under, (i) the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the
Company, (ii) any Contractual Obligation of the Company or (iii) assuming that
the filings, consents and approvals specified in Schedule 3.01(c) have been
obtained, any Requirement of Law applicable to the Company.


                                          7
<PAGE>

         (c)  CONSENTS.  No consent, approval, order or authorization of,
registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity
is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the Ancillary Documents by the Company, the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or the performance
by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder, except for (i) such
filings as may be required under the blue sky laws of the various states and
(ii) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations,
declarations, filings and notices as may be required in connection with the
exercise of the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.


         (d)  CAPITALIZATION.

              (i)  Giving effect to the Recapitalization and immediately
    thereafter, (A) the authorized capital stock of the Company will consist of
    20,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 50,000 shares of Preferred Stock, (B)
    3,857,000 shares of Common Stock will be issued and outstanding, no shares
    of Common Stock will be held in treasury, 964,000 shares of Common Stock
    will be reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants
    (including the Warrants issuable to the Purchasers) and 482,100 shares of
    Common Stock will be reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding
    stock options, (C) 30,000 shares of Preferred Stock will be designated
    Series A Preferred Stock, of which 16,000 will be issued and outstanding
    upon consummation of the Recapitalization and (D) 5,000 shares of Preferred
    Stock will be designated Series B Preferred Stock, of which 2,000 will be
    issued and outstanding upon consummation of the Recapitalization.

              (ii) All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's
    capital stock have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
    fully paid and nonassessable.  Upon delivery of and payment for the shares
    of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as the case may
    be, on the Closing Date as provided herein, such shares of Series A
    Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, as the case may be, will be
    duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and
    each Purchaser will acquire good title thereto, free and clear of all Liens
    (other than any Lien created by such Purchaser). The Warrant Shares have
    been reserved for issuance and, when issued upon exercise of the Warrants,
    will be duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
    nonassessable and the owner of such Warrant Shares will acquire good title
    thereto, free and clear of all Liens (other than any Lien created by such
    Warrant owner).

No class of capital stock of the Company and no holder of capital stock (or
rights to acquire capital stock) of the Company is entitled to preemptive
rights, other than as set forth in the Shareholders Agreement.  There are no
outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or
commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights
convertible into, shares of any capital stock of the Company, or contracts,
commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company is or may
become bound to issue


                                          8
<PAGE>

additional shares of its capital stock or options, warrants or rights to
purchase or acquire any shares of its capital stock.

         (e)  DISCLOSURE.  This Agreement, the certificates and disclosure
statements delivered by or on behalf of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries,
and all other written materials delivered by the Company to Purchasers prior to
the date of this Agreement in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby (including, without limitation, the Merger Agreement and the Debt
Offering Memorandum, taken as a whole and taking into account any written
revisions or corrections to such written materials delivered to Purchasers prior
to the date of this Agreement and including any statements, representations or
warranties incorporated herein by reference pursuant to Section 3.01(g)), do not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, as of the
respective dates of such written materials, not misleading.  There is no fact
peculiar to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which the Company has not
disclosed to each Purchaser in writing which materially affects adversely or, so
far as the Company can now reasonably foresee, will materially affect adversely
the properties, business, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the ability of the Company to perform
this Agreement, the Related Documents or its obligations in respect of the
shares of Preferred Stock and the Warrants.

         (f)  OFFERING OF SECURITIES.  Neither the Company nor any Person
acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action (including without
limitation any offering of any securities of the Company under circumstances
which would require the integration of such offering with the offering of the
Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock or the Warrants under the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder) which might
subject the offering, issuance or sale of any of the Series A Preferred Stock,
the Series B Preferred Stock or Warrants to the registration requirements of the
Securities Act.  The offer, sale and issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock,
the Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants by the Company under this Agreement
will not violate the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any applicable state
securities or "blue sky" laws.

         (g)  INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN
PURCHASE AGREEMENT.  The representations and warranties made by MergerCo in
respect of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and their business,
properties, capitalization, financial condition and operations in the Purchase
Agreement dated as of August 14, 1997 related to the Senior Notes and in the
Credit Agreement are incorporated herein as if made by the Company to the
Purchasers and as if set forth fully herein.

         (h)  OFFERING OF SHARES.  Neither the Company nor any person acting on
its behalf has offered the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred
Stock, the Warrants or any similar securities of the Company for sale to,
solicited any offers to buy the Preferred Stock, the Warrants or any similar
securities of the Company from or otherwise approached or negotiated with
respect to the Company with any Person other than the Purchasers and not more
than 35 other institutional investors.  Neither the Company nor any Person
acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action (including, without
limitation, any offering of any securities of the


                                          9
<PAGE>

Company under circumstances which would require the integration of such offering
with the offering of the Preferred Stock and the Warrants under the Securities
Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder) which might
subject the offering, issuance or sale of the Preferred Stock and the Warrants
to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

SECTION 3.02.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASERS.

              Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, represents and
warrants to, and agrees with, the Company as follows:

              (a)  SECURITIES ACT.  Such Purchaser (i) is acquiring the
Securities solely for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for
resale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the
Securities Act; (ii) has had the opportunity to ask questions of the officers
and directors of, and has had access to information concerning, the Company and
the terms of the Securities and Warrant Shares; (iii) is an "accredited
investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act; (iv) has such
knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as
to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the
Securities; (v) has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment; (vi)
is able to bear the economic risk of such investment; and (vii) is able to
afford a complete loss of such investment.

              (b)  BROKERS AND FINDERS.  None of the Purchasers nor any of
their officers, directors, employees or agents has utilized any broker, finder,
placement agent or financial advisor or incurred any liability for any fees or
commissions in respect thereof in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or by the Ancillary Documents.  Such Purchaser agrees to
indemnify the Company and to hold it harmless from and against any and all
claims, liabilities or obligations with respect to any fees or other amounts
payable as a result of any act or statement made by such Purchaser or any of its
Affiliates.

              (c)  LEGAL INVESTMENT.  Each of the Purchasers represents and
warrants to the Company that its purchase of the Series A Preferred Stock and
Warrants hereunder is a legal investment for such Purchaser and such investment
is not a prohibited investment for such Purchaser under any insurance or other
regulations applicable to such Purchaser or its business.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                         ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

SECTION 4.01.  TAKING OF NECESSARY ACTION.

              (a)  Each of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable
efforts promptly to take or cause to be taken all actions and promptly to do or
cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws
and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents.  Without limiting the


                                          10
<PAGE>

foregoing, the Company and Purchasers will, and the Company shall cause the
Company Subsidiaries to, each use all reasonable efforts to make all filings and
obtain all consents of Governmental Entities which may be necessary or, in the
opinion of such Purchaser or the Company, as the case may be, advisable for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Ancillary Documents.

              (b)  The Company shall provide to the Purchasers copies of all
applications and filings in advance of filing with the applicable Governmental
Entity and shall consult with the other parties regarding the contents thereof.

SECTION 4.02.  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; LINE OF BUSINESS.

              (a)  Except as required to (i) perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and (ii) effect the transactions described
in the Debt Offering Memorandum, from the date hereof to the Closing Date, the
Company shall, and shall cause each of the Company Subsidiaries to conduct its
operations in accordance with its ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice and use its best efforts to preserve intact the business
organizations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, to keep available the
services of their respective officers and key employees and to preserve the good
will of those having business relationships with the Company and Company
Subsidiaries.

              (b)  After the consummation of the Recapitalization, the Company
will continue to engage principally in the business now conducted by it or a
business or businesses similar thereto or reasonably compatible therewith.

SECTION 4.03.  INSPECTION OF PROPERTY.

              (a)  The Company will keep, and will cause each Subsidiary to
keep, proper books of record and account in which full and correct entries will
be made of all dealings or transactions of or in relation to the business and
affairs of the Company or such Subsidiary, in accordance with GAAP consistently
maintained.  For so long as any Purchaser or their respective Eligible
Transferees owns any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Warrants or Warrant
Shares, the Company shall permit a representative of Purchaser or such Eligible
Transferee to visit any of its properties and inspect its corporate books and
financial records (but excluding any such books, records, agreements and files
which are protected by attorney-client privilege or which the Company is
prohibited from disclosing to Purchasers or such Eligible Transferees pursuant
to any nondisclosure agreements to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary
is a party; PROVIDED that, to the extent permitted under any such nondisclosure
agreement, the Company shall disclose any information subject to such
nondisclosure agreement upon execution and delivery by such Purchaser or
Eligible Transferee of a confidentiality agreement for the benefit of the
parties to such nondisclosure agreement and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that no such
nondisclosure agreement shall be effective with respect to financial records to
the Company), and will discuss its accounts, affairs and finances with a
representative of Purchaser or such Eligible Transferee during reasonable
business hours, at such times as Purchaser or such Eligible Transferee may
reasonably request.  In addition, the Company will provide from time to time
such information


                                          11
<PAGE>

regarding results of operations, financial condition, business or prospects of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as such Purchaser or Eligible
Transferee may reasonably request.

              (b)  No investigation by or on behalf of any Purchaser pursuant
to this Section or otherwise shall affect any representation or warranty of the
Company herein or the conditions to the obligations of the parties hereunder.

SECTION 4.04.  USE OF PROCEEDS.

              The proceeds of the sale of the Securities shall be used by the
Company to effect the Recapitalization.

SECTION 4.05.  TRANSFER OF SECURITIES.

              (a)  Each Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that as of the date
hereof neither the Securities nor the Warrant Shares have been or will be
registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state and that
they may be sold or otherwise disposed of only in one or more transactions
registered under the Securities Act and, where applicable, such laws, or as to
which an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and,
where applicable, such laws, is available.  Each Purchaser acknowledges that,
except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the
Warrant Shares, such Purchaser has no right to require the Company to register
the Securities or Warrant Shares.  Each Purchaser agrees not to sell, transfer,
pledge or hypothecate any Securities or Warrant Shares except pursuant to (i) an
effective registration statement for such Securities or Warrant Shares under the
Securities Act or (ii) a transaction that is exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act; PROVIDED that the transferee of such
Purchaser acknowledges and agrees to abide by the provisions of this Section
4.06 and, in the case of the transfer of any Warrants or Warrant Shares, the
applicable provisions of the Shareholders Agreement.  Except in the case of a
transfer pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Holder may be
required, upon reasonable request of the Company, to provide the Company with an
opinion of counsel to such Purchaser (which opinion may be given by in-house
counsel and otherwise to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Company) to the effect that such transfer is exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Securities and Warrant Shares may be transferred to any Eligible Transferee of
such Purchaser without any registration or opinion, subject to the foregoing
restrictions on future sale, transfer, pledge or hypothecation by such Eligible
Transferee.  The Company shall cooperate with Purchasers and their transferees
in supplying such information as may be necessary for such Purchasers or
transferees to complete and file any information reporting forms currently or
hereafter required by the SEC as a condition to the availability of an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the sale of
restricted securities.

              (b)  Each Purchaser further acknowledges and agrees that each
certificate for the Securities and Warrant Shares shall bear the following
legend:

         "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
         REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,


                                          12
<PAGE>

         AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY
         BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF ONLY
         IF REGISTERED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT AND SUCH LAWS, OR
         IF AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.  THIS CERTIFICATE IS
         ISSUED PURSUANT TO AND SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF AN INVESTMENT
         AGREEMENT, DATED AUGUST 20, 1997 (AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED OR
         OTHERWISE MODIFIED, THE "INVESTMENT AGREEMENT"), BETWEEN THE COMPANY
         AND THE PURCHASERS REFERRED TO THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE
         WITH THE COMPANY."

In addition, each Purchaser further acknowledges that the Warrants and the
Warrant Shares shall bear the following additional legend:

         "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO
         A SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 20, 1997 (THE
         "AGREEMENT"), WHICH CONTAINS PROVISIONS REGARDING (I) CERTAIN
         RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITIES, (II) CERTAIN
         RIGHTS OF FIRST OFFER, TAG-ALONG RIGHTS AND DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS
         APPLICABLE TO THIS SECURITY AND (III) CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS.  A
         COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE
         PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.  ANY TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES
         EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IN VIOLATION OF THE AGREEMENT IS
         NULL AND VOID."

Any holder of Securities or Warrant Shares may request the Company to remove any
legend described herein from the certificates evidencing such Securities or
Warrant Shares by submitting to the Company such certificates, together with an
opinion of counsel, if requested, reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the
effect that such legend is no longer required under the Securities Act.

SECTION 4.06.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.

Each party shall execute and deliver such additional instruments and other
documents and shall take such further actions as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate, carry out and comply with all of the terms of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, making
application as soon as practicable for all consents and approvals required in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and diligently pursuing the
receipt of such consents and approvals in good faith.


                                          13
<PAGE>

SECTION 4.07.  ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE.

              The parties agree that for tax purposes, a reasonable allocation
of the total purchase price is to allocate $1,955,555.56 to the purchase price
of the Series B Preferred Stock, $15,644,444.44 to the purchase price of the
Series A Preferred Stock, and $400,000 to the purchase price of the Warrant.
The parties agree that all tax returns filed by the Company and Purchasers shall
be prepared in a manner consistent with such allocation.

SECTION 4.08.  INFORMATION RIGHTS.

              (a)  The Company covenants that during the period commencing on
the Closing Date and for so long as an Initial Purchaser or its Eligible
Transferee holds $1 million in stated liquidation value of Series A Preferred
Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, the Company will deliver to such Initial
Purchaser, at its address set forth in the records of the Company:

                   (i)  as soon as practicable and in any event within 45 days
    after the end of each quarterly period (other than the last quarterly
    period) in each fiscal year, consolidated statements of income, changes in
    shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries for
    the period from the beginning of such quarterly period and from the
    beginning of the then current fiscal year to the end of such quarterly
    period, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Company
    Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarterly period, setting forth in each
    case in comparative form figures for the corresponding period or date in
    the preceding fiscal year; and

                   (ii) as soon as practicable and in any event within 90 days
    after the end of each fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet of the
    Company and the Company Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and
    the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
    equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in
    comparative form the corresponding figures from the preceding fiscal year,
    together with the audit report of the independent public accountants of
    recognized standing selected by the Company.

              (c)  In addition, the Company covenants that for such period as a
Purchaser is entitled to receive the reports set forth in Section 4.08(a) above,
the Company shall provide such holder with (i) monthly unaudited financial
statements of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries not later than 30 days
after the last day of each fiscal quarter and (ii) such other information
relating to the Company's operations as such Purchaser may reasonably request
from time to time.


                                          14
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE V

                                      CONDITIONS

SECTION 5.01.  CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE.

              The respective obligations of each Purchaser to purchase the
Securities to be purchased by it at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of each of the following conditions on or prior to the Closing Date:

              (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS.  The
representations and warranties of the Company contained in or incorporated by
reference in this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents shall be true and
correct in all material respects on and as of the date of this Agreement or the
date of such Ancillary Documents, as the case may be, and on and as of the
Closing Date, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except
to the extent any such representation and warranty is made as of a specified
date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct
in all material respects on and as of such specified date, and the Company shall
have performed in all material respects all obligations, agreements,
undertakings, covenants and conditions of this Agreement and the Ancillary
Documents to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date.

              (b)  NO INJUNCTION.  There shall not be in effect any order,
decree or injunction of a court or agency of competent jurisdiction which
enjoins or prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

              (c)  REGULATORY APPROVALS.  All permits, consents,
authorizations, orders and approvals of, and filings and registrations required
under any Federal or state law, rule or regulation for or in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the
consummation by the parties hereto of the transactions contemplated on such
parties' part hereby and thereby shall have been obtained or made and all
statutory waiting periods thereunder in respect thereof shall have expired.

              (d)  ISSUANCE OF SENIOR NOTES; RECAPITALIZATION. Prior to or
simultaneously with the issuance of the Securities, (i) the Recapitalization
shall have been effected on terms and pursuant to such agreements as are
reasonably satisfactory in all respects to Purchasers, the Senior Notes shall
have been issued on terms and pursuant to such agreements and documents as shall
be reasonably satisfactory to Purchasers in all respects and (ii) each of the
Related Documents shall have been executed and delivered by each of the parties
thereto and shall be reasonably satisfactory to Purchasers in all respects.

              (e)  OPINION OF COUNSEL.  Each Purchaser shall have received at
the Closing from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel to the Company, a
favorable written opinion dated as of the Closing Date which shall address each
of the matters set forth in EXHIBIT E and which shall otherwise be in form and
substance satisfactory to Purchasers.


                                          15
<PAGE>

              (f)  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  The Registration Rights
Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company.

              (g)  SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT.  The Shareholders Agreement shall
have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each Shareholder party
thereto.

              (h)  AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.  The
Articles of Incorporation of the Company shall have been amended and restated as
set forth in EXHIBIT A hereto.

              (i)  AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS.  The By-Laws of the Company shall have
been amended and restated as set forth in EXHIBIT F hereto.

SECTION 5.02.  CONDITIONS OF SALE.

              The obligation of the Company to sell the Securities to be sold
at the Closing is subject to satisfaction or waiver of each of the following
conditions precedent:

              (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS.  The
representations and warranties of Purchasers contained in this Agreement shall
be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of this
Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made
on and as of such date, except to the extent any such representation and
warranty is made as of a specified date, in which case such representation and
warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such
specified date, and Purchasers shall have performed in all material respects all
obligations, agreements, undertakings, covenants and conditions required by them
to be performed at or prior to the Closing.

              (b)  NO INJUNCTION.  There shall not be in effect any order,
decree or injunction of a court or agency of competent jurisdiction which
enjoins or prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

              (c)  REGULATORY CONSENTS.  All permits, consents, authorizations,
orders and approvals of, and filings and registrations required under Federal or
state law, rule or regulation for or in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the consummation by
the parties hereto of the transactions contemplated on such parties' part hereby
and thereby shall have been obtained or made and all statutory waiting periods
thereunder in respect thereof shall have expired.

              (d)  ISSUANCE OF SENIOR NOTES; RECAPITALIZATION. Prior to or
simultaneously with the issuance of the Securities, each of the following shall
have occurred:  (i) the Senior Notes shall have been issued by the Company, (ii)
the Credit Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by the parties
thereto and (iii) the Recapitalization shall have been effected.

              (e)  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  The Registration Rights
Agreement shall have been duly executed and delivered by Purchasers.


                                          16
<PAGE>

              (f)  SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT.  The Shareholders Agreement shall
have been duly executed and delivered by Purchasers in their capacity as holders
of Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants.

                                      ARTICLE VI

                                         TERM

SECTION 6.01.  TERMINATION.

              This Agreement may be terminated on or any time prior to the
Closing:

              (a)  by the mutual written consent of Purchasers and the Company;
    or

              (b)  by either the Company or Purchasers if the Closing shall
    have not have occurred on or prior to August 31, 1997, unless the failure
    of such occurrence shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to
    terminate this Agreement to perform or observe its agreements set forth
    herein required to be performed or observed by such party on or before the
    Closing; or

              (c)  by the Company or Purchasers pursuant to notice if any
    Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have denied any
    approval under any of the laws, rules or regulations necessary for the
    consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by a final and
    unappealable order.

SECTION 6.02.  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

              In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in
Section 6.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, except for the
obligations set forth in this Section and in 7.06 and 7.07 and there shall be no
liability or obligation on the part of the parties hereto except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement.  The termination of this Agreement under Section
6.01(b) shall not relieve any party of any liability for breach of this
Agreement prior to the date of termination.

                                     ARTICLE VII

                                    MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 7.01.  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

              The representations and warranties made herein shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and delivery of the
Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock and the Warrants.


                                          17
<PAGE>

SECTION 7.02.  NOTICES.

              All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given, if delivered personally, by
telecopier or sent by overnight courier as follows:

              (a)  if to the Purchasers and their counsel:

                   (i)       if to MMLIC, MMCVP, and/or MMHYP, to:

                             Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
                             1295 State Street
                             Springfield, Massachusetts  01111
                             Attention: Richard E. Spencer
                                        Wallace G. Rodger
                             Phone:     (413) 744-6223
                             Fax:       (413) 744-6127

                             AND, IF TO MMCVP, WITH A COPY TO:

                             c/o Bank of America Trust and Banking Corporation
                              (Cayman) Limited
                             P.O. Box 1092
                             George Town
                             Grand Cayman
                             Cayman Islands, B.W.I.
                             Attention: Michael Carney

                    (ii)     if to Jackson National, to:

                             c/o PPM America, Inc.
                             225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1200
                             Chicago, Illinois  60606
                             Attention: Private Placement Group
                             Phone:     (312) 634-2500
                             Fax:       (312) 634-0054

                    (iii)    if to Paribas, to:

                             c/o Paribas Principal
                             Partners
                             787 Seventh Avenue
                             New York, New York  10019
                             Attention: Stephen Eisenstein
                             Phone:     (212) 841-2127
                             Fax:       (212) 841-2502


                                          18
<PAGE>

                             IN EACH CASE, WITH A COURTESY COPY TO:

                             Schwartz, Cooper, Greenberger & Krauss
                             180 North LaSalle Street,
                             Suite 2700
                             Chicago, Illinois  60601
                             Attention: Brian O'Neil, Esq.
                             Phone:     (312) 845-5404
                             Fax:       (312) 782-8416

                    (b)      if to the Company, to:

                             Burke Industries, Inc.
                             2250 South Tenth Street
                             San Jose, California  95112
                             Attention: Rocco C. Genovese
                             Phone:     (408) 297-3500
                             Fax:       (408) 995-5163

                             with a copy to:

                             J.F. Lehman Equity Investors I, L.P.
                             c/o J.F. Lehman & Company
                             450 Park Avenue, Sixth Floor
                             New York, New York  10022
                             Attention: Mr. Donald Glickman
                             Phone:     (212) 634-1160
                             Fax:       (212) 634-1155

                             AND WITH A COURTESY COPY TO:

                             Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
                             333 South Grand Avenue
                             Los Angeles, California 90071
                             Attention: Kenneth M. Doran, Esq.
                             Phone:     (213) 229-7000
                             Fax:       (213) 229-7520

or to such other address or addresses as shall be designated in writing.  All
notices shall be effective when received.

SECTION 7.03.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.

              This Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and the documents
described herein and therein or attached or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto
set forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Any provision of this Agreement may
be amended or modified in whole or in part at any time by an


                                          19
<PAGE>

agreement in writing between the parties hereto executed in the same manner as
this Agreement. No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in
exercising, any right shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or
partial exercise by any party of any right preclude any other or future exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right.  No investigation by Purchasers of
the Company or any Company Subsidiary prior to or after the date hereof shall
stop or prevent Purchasers from exercising any right hereunder or be deemed to
be a waiver of any such right.

SECTION 7.04.  COUNTERPARTS.

              This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to constitute an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same document.

SECTION 7.05.  GOVERNING LAW.

              THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND INTERPRETED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THAT STATE.

SECTION 7.06.  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.

              Each of the parties hereto agrees to hold in strict confidence
and not to disclose to others the status of any discussions or relations among
the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement until such time
as the parties mutually agree to publicly disclose such information or are
obligated by any legal or regulatory agency requirement to disclose such
information; PROVIDED that a description of this transaction mutually
satisfactory to the Company and the Purchasers may be included in the Debt
Offering Memorandum.

SECTION 7.07.  FEES AND EXPENSES.

              The Company or an Affiliate of the Company shall be responsible
for the costs and expenses incurred by the Purchasers, the Company and its
Affiliates in connection with this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the reasonable fees and expenses of
their counsel, Schwartz, Cooper, Greenberger & Krauss, and their respective
financial advisors and accountants.

SECTION 7.08.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

              Subject to applicable law, any Purchaser may assign its rights
under this Agreement in whole or in part, but no such assignment shall relieve
such Purchaser of its obligations hereunder.  The Company may not assign any of
its rights or delegate any of its duties under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of Purchasers.  Any purported assignment in violation of this
Section shall be void.


                                          20
<PAGE>

SECTION 7.09.  ARBITRATION.

              Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of, in connection
with or in relation to the interpretation, performance or breach of this
Agreement shall be determined, at the request of any party, by arbitration in a
city mutually agreeable to the parties to such controversy, dispute or claim,
or, failing such agreement, in New York, New York, before and in accordance with
the then-existing Rules for Commercial Arbitration of the American Arbitration
Association, and any judgment or award rendered by the arbitrator will be final,
binding and unappealable and judgment may be entered by any state or Federal
court having jurisdiction thereof.  The pre-trial discovery procedures of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to any arbitration under this
Section 7.09.  Any controversy concerning whether a dispute is an arbitrable
dispute or as to the interpretation or enforceability of this Section 7.09 shall
be determined by the arbitrator.  The arbitrator shall be a retired or former
United States District Judge or other person acceptable to each of the parties,
provided such individual has substantial professional experience with regard to
corporate or partnership legal matters. The parties intend that this agreement
to arbitrate be valid, enforceable and irrevocable.

SECTION 7.10.  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.

              The Company acknowledges that the rights granted to Purchasers in
this Agreement are of a special, unique and extraordinary character, and that
any breach of this Agreement by the Company could not be compensated for by
damages.  Accordingly, if the Company breaches its obligations under this
Agreement, Purchasers shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedies that
they may have, to enforcement of this Agreement by a decree of specific
performance requiring the Company to fulfill its obligations under this
Agreement.

SECTION 7.11.  CAPTIONS.

              The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.


                                          21
<PAGE>

SECTION 7.12.  MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

         THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,
SUIT OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties
hereto or by their respective duly authorized representatives, all as of the
date first above written.

                        BURKE INDUSTRIES, INC.



                        By: /s/ KEITH OSTER
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                           Name:  Keith Oster
                           Title: Assistant Vice President


                                          22
<PAGE>

                        MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE
                        INSURANCE COMPANY



                        By: /s/ RICHARD E. SPENCER II
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Richard E. Spencer II
                           Title: Managing Director


                        MASSMUTUAL CORPORATE VALUE
                        PARTNERS LIMITED

                        By:  Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
                        Its: Investment Advisor



                        By: /s/ RICHARD E. SPENCER II
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Richard E. Spencer II
                           Title: Managing Director

                        MASSMUTUAL HIGH YIELD PARTNERS LLC

                        By:  HYP Management, Inc., as Manager



                        By: /s/ ROGER W. CRANDALL
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Roger W. Crandall
                           Title: Vice President


                                          23
<PAGE>

                        JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                        By:  PPM America, Inc.
                        Its: Agent



                        By: /s/ DEBBIE ACKERMAN
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Debbie Ackerman
                           Title: Managing Director


                        PARIBAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.



                        By: /s/ DONNA KIERNAN
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                           Name: Donna Kiernan
                           Title: CFO


                                          24
<PAGE>

                                       ANNEX I

                     SERIES; NUMBER OF SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK;
                        NUMBER OF WARRANTS AND PURCHASE PRICE
                   -----------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        SERIES OF        NUMBER        NUMBER         PURCHASE
PURCHASER                               PREFERRED      OF SHARES     OF WARRANTS       PRICE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
  Company                                   A            3,808       203,939.56      $3,808,000
MassMutual Corporate Value
  Partners Limited                          A            1,904       101,969.78      $1,904,000
MassMutual High Yield Partners LLC          A            2,288       122,535.11      $2,288,000
Jackson National Life Insurance Company     A            8,000       428,444.44      $8,000,000
Paribas North America, Inc.                 B            2,000       107,111.11      $2,000,000
                                       ----------      ---------     ----------      ----------

</TABLE>


                                         A-1