When it comes to the different types of rubber gaskets, it would be almost impossible to name every single elastomer and application. Simply put, rubber gaskets are one of the most popular and varied types of gaskets.
Rubber gaskets can be classified in a myriad of different ways, and one of the most common ways to organize different types of rubber gaskets is by function and rubber material. Let's take a closer look at a few different types of rubber gaskets we regularly produce at Frank Lowe.
Different Uses and Types of Rubber Gaskets
One standard way to group the different types of rubber gaskets is by the application or use. The four most common applications of rubber gaskets and seals include the following:
Liquid Seal Rubber Gaskets
Many rubber gaskets work to protect against the ingress or leak of fluids and liquids. When choosing a rubber elastomer for a liquid seal, it's important the material offers the most suitable performance characteristics. Certain types of rubber gasket materials offer superior resistance to chemicals, such as viton. On the other hand, nitrile is better suited for industries with solvents, fuels, and oils.
Anti-Vibration Types of Rubber Gaskets
Similar to sound, vibration has a range of different frequencies. Anti-vibration pads are a highly-effective way of minimizing these vibration frequencies and limiting the amount of damage and energy wasted because of vibration. Anti-vibration types of rubber gaskets are used across virtually all industries, especially for pipe supports, machinery mountings, and structural bearings.
Environmental Seal Type of Rubber Gaskets
Guarding against environmental contaminants like dust, environmental seal type of gaskets are regularly used in electrical enclosures. Environmental gaskets or seals are also used to refer to gasketing used for outdoor conditions, such as UV resistant gaskets, rain gaskets, freeze-resistant gaskets, and heat resistant gaskets. In either case, the goal of environmental types of gaskets is to keep an optimum working environment.
Rubber Gaskets Used for Mountings
Rubber gaskets are also a critical component in today's mass proliferation of digital displays. Mountings are used to protect sensitive display units from liquids, dust, and shock.
The Most Common Types of Rubber Gaskets Materials
When trying to select the best material for your application, there are a myriad of different factors to consider. The following list of different types of rubber gaskets isn't designed to be exhaustive. Instead, it represents some of the most common rubber gaskets we create at Frank Lowe.
Silicone Types of Rubber Gaskets
Considered to be a high-performance rubber elastomer, silicone is typically used in applications and products that must perform in extremely low or high temperatures. Silicone's outstanding ability to perform well in temperatures as low as -75 degrees F is unparalleled by any other elastomer.
As a result, silicone is regularly used in gaskets in sub-zero temperatures. Yet, this material isn't suitable in applications with extreme movement, tear resistance, and pressure.
Neoprene Types of Rubber Gaskets
Hailed as an all-purpose elastomer, neoprene gaskets or chloroprene offer excellent resistance to weathering, aging, and ozone with moderate resistance to petroleum-based products. Neoprene gaskets are compressed easily and are highly suitable for refrigeration fluid sealing because they boast a temperature range of -65 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Neoprene is offered as homogenous neoprene, diaphragm neoprene, and sponge neoprene.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Types of Rubber Gaskets
EPDM is one of the most versatile and popular rubber materials for gaskets on the market today. It's exceptionally resistant to extreme heat and sunlight. It also boasts the ability to fight aging very well. EPDM types of gaskets can help stabilize color in the harshest of weather conditions, which makes it one of the go-to materials for outdoor applications.
Polyurethane Types of Rubber Gaskets
Polyurethane is another type of rubber elastomer that offers a desirable low temperature limit. It's resistant to ozone and oxygen and has excellent tear strength and abrasion. While polyurethane doesn't perform as well as neoprene with higher temperatures, it can be used in some of the most frigid environments. Even when frozen or chilled, polyurethane will not crack, tear, or grow brittle.
Ethylene Propylene (EPR) Types of Rubber Gaskets
EPR types of rubber gaskets perform well with hydraulic fluids that are potentially dangerous when exposed to human skin and corrosive. This makes EPR types of gaskets suitable for a range of applications.
Styrene Butadiene (SBR) Red Rubber Types of Gaskets
SBR or Red Rubber boasts remarkable abrasion assistance and excellent physical properties, but the material has a poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids. SBR is resistant to the majority of moderate chemicals, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and organic acids. However, SBR can be susceptible to oils, fats, greases, strong acids, ozones, and most hydrocarbons.
Fluorocarbon Types of Rubber Gaskets
Sold under the trade name Viton, fluorocarbon is a highly-versatile all-purpose rubber that has high resistance to acids, solvents, oils, base fuels, and hydraulic fluids. Fluorocarbon delivers unusual performance at high temperatures with exceptional tensile strength. However, fluorocarbon types of rubber gaskets are susceptible to oxygen, ozone, weathering, and flame.
Contact Frank Lowe for the Best Types of Rubber Gaskets
While there are a seemingly endless number of different types of rubber gaskets, the experts at Frank Lowe will help you choose the best elastomer for your specific application.
Contact Frank Lowe today and learn more about our rubber die cutting services for all of your gasket needs.
