Call Us: (800) 777-0202 GET A QUOTE ABOUT SERVICES PRODUCTS MARKETS MATERIALS BLOG CONTACT SHOP YOU ARE HERE: HOME » BLOG » GASKETS » WHAT ARE THE TOP NON-METALLIC INDUSTRIAL GASKET MATERIALS? Categories Anti-Skid Materials Bumpers Cork Custom Packaging Die Cutting Fabrication Process Fenestration Foam Frank Lowe Gaskets Glass Kiss Cutting Newsletter PPE Protection Pads Rubber Uncategorized What Are the Top Non-Metallic Industrial Gasket Materials? November 17, 2021 / Gaskets / By Randy Cohen Click to Play Audio Version of this Content While often overlooked, the importance of industrial gaskets can't be overstated. Industrial gaskets are quintessential products employed for sealing, mounting, limiting vibration, and more. Undoubtedly, the main use of the gasket is for sealing. Because of the range of applications for industrial gaskets and the importance of these components, it's imperative to get the selection of the material right! On one hand, choosing the wrong gasket material could lead to the failure of the component, which could place other equipment, manufacturing, and processes at risk. On the other hand, overengineering industrial gaskets by using the wrong material can lead to a significant source of waste. Simply put, it's best to get your industrial gasket material right. And the team at Frank Lowe will guide you through the process from conception through to completion. We are the leading team of manufacturing experts for gaskets industrial facilities need. We offer a full catalog of premium soft, non-metallic products — no matter your industry. Let's take a closer look at some of the most common non-metallic industrial gasket materials. Why Choose Non-Metallic or Soft Materials for Industrial Gaskets? Before we dive into the most common types of non-metallic materials for industrial gaskets, we need to explain why non-metallic or soft products perform so well for industrial gaskets. Soft gaskets are designed to compress between two different surfaces with little pressure or tension. This unique attribute makes them perfect for sealing applications where the fluid contents have low levels of pressure and aren't able to create a leak pathway through industrial gaskets. At the same time, soft, non-metallic gaskets are very cost-efficient, can be used in low-temperature applications, and are available in a range of different materials. And because there are several different types of non-metallic material, we manufacture solutions with the gasket material that will demonstrate the characteristics necessary to meet or exceed the application requirements. What Are the Most Common Types of Non-Metallic Industrial Gasket Materials? At Frank Lowe, we are a full-service die-cutting company offering a complete complement of materials, elastomers, and fenestration products. Each sealing gasket we manufacture will adopt the characteristics of the material it's manufactured from. While the following list is hardly exhaustive, these are some of the most common non-metallic materials we use to fabricate and die-cut industrial gaskets. Rubber Materials for Industrial Gaskets One of the top materials used to make industrial gaskets is rubber. This material is available in a vast range of grades and formulations. Examples of sealing rubber materials include: EPDM Butyl Latex Fluorosilicone Fluorosilicone And more Cork Materials for Industrial Gaskets Cork gasket materials are very lightweight, stable materials with the ability to resist water penetration and create reliable seals. Cork industrial gaskets will have excellent flexibility and high compressibility as well as no lateral flow. Cork is unaffected by extreme temperatures and is resistant to wear. Cork-n-Rubber Materials for Industrial Gaskets Cork-n-rubber materials are a combination of granulated cork and synthetic rubber polymers. Offering the best of both worlds, cork-n-rubber offers the resilience and high flexibility of rubber with the compressibility of cork. The addition of rubber also infuses a level of chemical compatibility and forms seals that can resist acid, weathering conditions, and fungus. You can choose from a range of different rubber materials to best meet the chemical resistance needs of the gasket. This material is regularly used in electrical insulation and in industrial gaskets that will perform in this environment. Natural Rubber Materials for Industrial Gaskets Natural rubber is regularly employed for its outstanding recovery properties. Natural rubber industrial gaskets boast excellent resistance to most inorganic salts, mild acids, and alkalis. Yet, natural rubber isn't suitable for oils and solvents. Closed-Cell Sponge Rubber Material for Industrial Gaskets Closed-cell sponge rubber is composed of cells that are entirely separate from neighboring or surrounding cells. This molecular design helps prevent fluids from intruding, which is critical in sealing applications. You can choose closed-cell industrial gaskets in hard densities, medium densities, and soft densities. Examples of closed-cell sponge rubber materials include: EPDM sponge Neoprene sponge Silicone sponge And more Open-Cell Sponge Rubber Material for Industrial Gaskets In contrast to closed-cell sponge rubber industrial gaskets, those made of open-cell sponge rubber have cells that are interconnected. This molecular design allows liquids, gases, and other media to pass through the material. You can choose industrial gaskets made from open-cell sponge rubber in different durometers or hardnesses. Examples of open-cell sponge rubber materials include: Natural open cell sponge SBR open cell sponge Neoprene open cell sponge Silicone Materials for Industrial Gaskets Silicone industrial gaskets can be either a solid, sponge, or foam. No matter the form, the characteristics are the same, which include high temp stability, general inertness, high-temperature stability, and resilience. Some of the top benefits of using silicone industrial gaskets include: Waterproof - Can resist water degradation from water exposure, which is ideal for sealing applications Flexibility - Because it doesn't freeze at high temperatures, silicone gaskets do not crack Shrink proof - The material will not shrink over its lifetime. While suitable for an array of applications, silicone industrial gaskets may not be ideal for environments with steam and hydrocarbons. Urethane Industrial Gasket Materials Urethane industrial gaskets offer remarkable aging characteristics and good abrasion. At the same time, urethane industrial gaskets offer: Waterproof characteristics. This means it may be beneficial in sealing applications with a changing weather environment. Elasticity. These gaskets can remain flexible even in environments with temperature changes Flexible. Urethane industrial gaskets offer the ability to conform to the application's shape. Neoprene Industrial Gasket Materials Neoprene industrial gaskets have good resistance to UV and ozone, solid tear strength, and strong resilience. However, it can be easily damaged by petroleum-based fuels. A few key attributes of neoprene industrial gaskets include: Waterproof and corrosion-resistant, which is ideal for sealing applications. Can create a permanent seal not mean to broken and reestablished. Offers good chemical stability and flexibility over a range of temperatures. How to Choose the Best Industrial Gasket Material? But unless you're a gasket material expert, this can be nearly impossible. Fortunately, the expert product engineers at Frank Lowe can help. We specialize in offering in-depth consultative solutions based on the needs of your application. Once we conduct a needs assessment and have a clear understanding of the gasket application, we can suggest an industrial gasket material that meets or exceeds application requirements without overengineering. In most instances, we will provide our clients with multiple choices, such as: A good material for industrial gaskets A better material for industrial gaskets The most ideal material for industrial gaskets With each gasket material option, we will explain how the substrate meets the requirements and ways an alternate gasket material may provide more benefits. Most importantly, we will help you see gasket manufacturing through strategic cost-benefit analysis. Contact Frank Lowe for Industrial Gaskets No matter your industry, Frank Lowe offers the gaskets industrial facilities need to function. In addition, we provide an array of custom gasket manufacturing services designed to move your project from conception to completion. For more than 60 years, Frank Lowe has been providing customized solutions across virtually all industries. We will work closely with you to help you meet your unique project or equipment goals. Contact Frank Lowe today for any type of custom gasket. About the Author Randy Cohen Since 2002, Randy Cohen has served as the Senior Vice President of Frank Lowe — leading Sales and Marketing as well as a variety of Administrative operations. Randy has 25 years of experience with a background in sales & marketing, production and business management, serving both government agencies and private industry. He holds a B.A from Syracuse University and a Masters and Professional Diploma from Fordham University. Randy uses his unique set of experiences to help businesses and entities across all sectors explore, pursue, and create better solutions. follow me on: Popular posts What Are the Top Non-Metallic Industrial Gasket Materials? Gaskets Nov 17, 2021 5 Attributes You Should Always Demand in a Die Cutting Company Die Cutting Dec 29, 2017 Welcome to the Newly Refreshed Frank Lowe Blog & Website Frank Lowe Dec 29, 2017 Don’t Overlook These 6 Considerations When Buying Cork Backing for Coasters Cork Jan 17, 2018 (800) 777-0202 44 Ramsey Road, Shirley, NY 11967 Open Monday thru Friday, 8AM to 5PM About Careers Press Credit Card Orders Credit Application Contact Get a Quote Follow Us On Social Media © 2021 Frank Lowe | Disclaimer | Web Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy