Cork

 

Here at Advanced Seals & Gaskets we offer a number of grades of high-quality cork materials and converted cork products, which are widely used in many industries due to their outstanding sealing and flexible properties. Cork offers a solution to many applications including vibration dampening, thermal insulation, ceiling and sound deadening. 

Cork materials are manufactured in a range of standard thicknesses in rolls of varying lengths (depending upon the material thickness required). Having the cork pre-manufactured at specific thicknesses allows for quick despatch and conversion times as it cuts out the process of having to split the material. 

Advanced Seals & Gaskets Ltd state of the art in-house conversion facilities gives us the ability to convert cork rolls and sheets into a variety of usable products such as pads, gaskets, washers and strips, all of which are made to order using a selection of bandsaws and presses. Our on-site laminating service not only allows us to bond layers of cork together but also enables us to supply natural cork with a range of self-adhesives, foils and even laminated to other materials.

What is Cork?

ASG stock and supply cork in a range of grades including Natural Cork and various bonded cork materials (neoprene, nitrile or synthetic rubber).  Cork can be manufactured in sheets or in continuous rolls, for many of our materials, the standard roll size is usually 1meter wide x 10meters long, however, cork is manufactured at specific lengths depending upon the material thickness.  Cork is a fairly cheap material in comparison to some sponge and rubbers, which is flexible and waterproof which makes them suitable for use on outdoor furniture and lights, often found used within the automotive and engineering industry for vibration and sound absorption and to seal against oil and chemical leaks. 

Why use Cork?

Cork can be found utilized in many engineering industries where it can be used as a gasket to seal against dust, air and moisture, positioned underneath compressors and heavy plant machinery to help with the control and reduction of noise and vibration. It is chemically inert, resistant to fungus and mould growth, flame retardant, anti-static, flexible and durable. Cork material is easy to work with and cut, it holds adhesive well and due to its flexible nature, cork gaskets fit and adhere to most surfaces.

Different Grades

There are different grades of cork available for use within many industries each with its own unique characteristics, depending upon the material it is blended. Cork itself provides effective vibration control as well as sealing properties when sandwiched between two mating surfaces. Cork will tolerate bolt pressure to ensure the seal is effective and robust. Grades of cork include:  

Natural Cork – consists of grains of cork with no other added chemicals other than a liquid binder known as ‘agglomeration’ to adhere the particles together.  Natural Cork is relatively cheap compared to sponge and rubber and can be used as a simple coaster, air/dust/water seals, thermal insulation, acoustic and anti-vibration applications.

Resin-bonded cork – this is a lightweight, flexible cork, produced using cork granules bound together using a synthetic resin.  This grade of cork is resilient to certain acids and is often used in water retaining applications.

Nitrile bonded cork – this material is still manufactured using a combination of cork and nitrile rubber granules, giving a speckled appearance.  Gaskets made from this material can be used where oil and fuel resistance is required, or where high-temperature resistance is required, industries include automotive and general engineering.

Neoprene bonded cork – Neoprene bonded cork is a combination of cork and neoprene rubber granules, bound together.  This grade has the same speckled appearance as the Nitrile Bonded cork, but different properties, with the addition of the Neoprene rubber, the cork is suited to sealing at higher temperatures and resistant to weathering and oil.  Neoprene Bonded cork is suited to oil, engineering, electrical, anti-vibration and soundproofing applications.

Benefits of Using Cork

• Sound suppression
• Thermal Properties
•  Can with other materials based on application
• moisture, chemical and oil Resistance (depending on grade)
• Anti-Vibration
• Natural, flexible and cost-effective material

The Advantages of Using Cork 

There are many advantages for using cork materials within your application, it offers elasticity and buoyancy characteristics to ensure excellent anti-vibration dampening, the materials are also fire-resistant and non-conductive, which makes them great for use within automotive, electrical switchgear and electrical appliances. 

Cork can be converted into a range of usable products which are all manufactured in house and can be bespoke designed to meet your exact requirements.  The raw material is available in thicknesses of 0.8mm – 25mm depending upon the grade, which can be laminated to achieve greater thicknesses or different materials to create composite materials and then supplied with a plain or self-adhesive of your choice.

What are the Key Characteristics of Cork?

• Colour: natural or speckled (bonded rubber grades)
• Bonded Materials: Nitrile, Neoprene, Natural, Synthetic
• Density: 0.56-0.70
• Resistances: Oils, Sound Suppression, Water Resistance
• Temperature Range: -20°C to +120°C
• Thickness: 0.8mm – 25mm Thick ( can be laminated for greater thickness )