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Put a Cork in It! Understanding the Different Types of Cork

Put a Cork in It! Understanding the Different Types of Cork

From trivet backing, coaster backing, rulers, and an array of arts and crafts, cork material can be found in just about everything! You can also find cork products on bumpers, self-adhesive pads, spacers, and much more. At Frank Lowe, we create die-cut cork components for an endless array of applications. We generally offer two different types of cork products:

  1. Composition cork

  2. Cork-n-rubber material

At Frank Lowe, we specialize in delivering die cut cork components, cork rolls, and cork sheets. Our materials can be used as cork backing for coasters, bulletin boards, spacer pads, gaskets, and much more.

Both composition cork and cork-n-rubber material can be die cut to your requirements or supplied in full widths. In addition, we can laminate cork with pressure sensitive adhesive backing as well as create unique kiss-cut cork components for your application.

Composition cork and cork-n-rubber have different qualities that make each material ideal for different applications. Let’s take a deeper look at both composition cork as well as cork-n-rubber materials. Continue reading to learn more about composition cork and cork-n-rubber products.

Composition Cork

Composition cork is the ideal material for protective backing for novelty or decorative items. This type of cork is regularly used on placemats, trivets, coaster backing, and a variety of other consumer products.

Composition cork will allow you to add an appealing look to finished products and protect the underlying surfaces from being damaged or scratched. At Frank Lowe, we specialize in die cutting composition cork in an endless array of sizes and shapes.

Even if you don’t know the exact size or shape of composition cork you need, our experienced cork experts will work with you to help you arrive at the best possible solution. A few of the most common applications of our composition cork includes:

  • Ruler backing
  • Protective padding
  • Decorative coaster backing
  • Glass separation pads
  • Trivet backing
  • Bulletin boards
  • Cap liners
  • Roll goods
  • Adhesive-backed spacers and bumpers

Advantages of Composition Cork

Composition cork is a lightweight and stable material made from hydrophobic substances that reduce the penetration of water. Some of the most notable advantages of composition cork include:

  • Fire retardant qualities
  • Excellent insulation
  • Extremely compressible
  • Resistant to seepage and sound
  • Unaffected by temperature extremes
  • Virtually indestructible
  • Lightweight and buoyant

What Is Cork-N-Rubber Material?

By combining the extended shelf life and flexibility of rubber with the recovery characteristics and compressibility of cork, cork-n-rubber is ideal for a vast span of applications across an array of industries. Our cork-n-rubber material can be supplied as a blend of cork-n-silicone, cork-n-hypalon, cork-n-buna-N, and cork-n-neoprene. Typical cork-n-rubber applications include:

  • Bumpers and spacers
  • Gaskets
  • Protective tapes
  • Stripping tapes

The experts at Frank Lowe will work with you to help you choose the best blend of cork-n-rubber materials as well as the best density to ensure your finished component performs as intended. Let’s take a look at some of the most common cork-n-rubber products and their characteristics.

  • Cork & Nitrile blend boasts excellent resistance to oil, which makes it ideal for fuel pump, automotive, and meter applications.
  • Cork & Neoprene blend offers excellent resistance to heat and oil with high tear and tensile resistance. This material finds ample application in the construction of refrigeration or air compressors.
  • Cork & Synthetic Rubber offers strong resistance to environmental elements and oil. This material is regularly used in sealing applications, automotive industry, and natural gas meters. Cork & Synthetic Rubber can be found in transmission pans, oil pans, valve gaskets, and valve covers.
  • Cork & Nitrile Sponge Blend is a very soft material that boasts good resistance to oil. This material is commonly found where flange irregularities and low load pressures are prevalent.
  • Cork & Neoprene Sponge Blend offers moderate resistance to oil, but is commonly used for sealing oil in low torque applications. This material is also used for cushioning furniture, die ejection, and for the insulation of doors and windows.
  • Cork & SBR Sponge boasts high compressibility. It’s regularly used for noise reduction, cushioning, matting, die ejection, and fatigue. You can find cork-n-SBR Sponge materials under furniture and equipment in compression mats.
  • Cork & Silicone materials offer moderate resistance to fluids. It can be especially helpful where operation temperatures are either extremely low or extremely high.

Advantages of Cork-n-Rubber Materials

Because cork-n-rubber materials are a combination of synthetic rubber and granulated cork, it can offer the compressibility of cork and the high resilience of rubber. Some of the key advantages of cork rubber include:

  • Resistance to fluid penetration
  • High flexibility and compressibility
  • Good resistance to fuel, solvents, and oil
  • Wide range of fluid compatibility
  • Moderately resistant to acid, fungus, and weather conditions
  • Ability to reduce levels of transmitted vibration and provide acoustic insulation
  • Effective for low bolt load application

Contact Frank Lowe for Composition and cork-n-rubber Cork  

Fortunately, the experts at Frank Lowe bring decades of experience helping customers choose the best elastomers for their product, component, or application. We will carefully listen to your needs, the goals of the applications, and help you confidently make a decision.

Partner with Frank Lowe today to Explore, Pursue, and Create with composition cork or cork-n-rubber materials.

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 partner with businesses and entities across all sectors explore, pursue, and create better solutions.

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