Sponge Rubber

Sponge Rubber Gaskets

Advanced Seals & Gaskets we offer an excellent in-house gasket cutting service, using high-quality material and state of the art machinery, we can offer gaskets cut from a range of materials including various types and grades of sponge rubber.  Sponge rubber gaskets are produced using drawings provided by our customers, with whom we work closely to ensure the final product is to their exact specification, from a simple rectangular picture frame gasket to a more complex shape with cut-outs – we can offer a solution. Whether it’s a small sample batch or a multi-thousand run, we have a machine to quickly and accurately produce perfectly formed gaskets in a range of sizes, these include a number of presses, CNC and kiss-cut machines.  Our gaskets can be produced plain or with a choice of finishes including foils, self-adhesives or laminated to other materials, depending on the size and quantity of the gasket, they can be supplied as loosely packed parts or kiss-cut on rolls.

 

What Are Sponge Rubber Gaskets?

A gasket can take the form of a strip or pad but are generally an intricately cut shaped piece of material placed between two surfaces to create a low-pressure seal preventing the leakage of liquids or gas and to seal against the intrusion of dust and debris when under compression.  ASG stock a number of sponge rubber materials in block, sheet and roll form, ensuring gaskets can be produced within a minimum timeframe.   Sponge rubber gaskets can be manufactured in any form from a basic square picture frame, to more intricate shapes containing cut-outs and with a range of finishes including foils, self-adhesives or laminated with other materials.

 

Why Use Sponge Rubber Gaskets?

Sponge rubber gaskets are used to fill gaps and irregularities between 2 surfaces and to provide a solution to unwanted rattles, noise, vibrations, to seal against air, gas, dust and liquids, and can also be used to cushion between moving parts to reduce friction and damage to components and equipment. In order for a gasket to work effectively, it needs to compress and fill the entire space to create a pressure/airtight protective seal.     Different types of sponge rubber gaskets have their own unique set of characteristics and properties for use in various applications, some are suitable for outdoor use and UV/Ozone exposure, others have oil resistance or are flame retardant. Gaskets are an important part found in many applications and industries such as electrical equipment,  automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, chemical industries and food/drink/pharmaceutical processing industries.

 

Different Grades

There are different types and grades of sponge rubber used to manufacture gaskets for use within many industries each with its own unique characteristics. Sponge Rubber Gaskets provide effective vibration control as well as sealing properties when sandwiched between two mating surfaces. Popular types of sponge rubber include:

EPDM sponge rubber is a high-quality material with excellent weathering, UV and ozone resistance, making it ideal for outdoor seating. EPDM sponge rubber gaskets offer a wide operating temperature range, acoustic, thermal and vibration dampening properties and also good mechanical strength and abrasion-resistant properties. Grades of EPDM include medium, firm, high temp and semi-open cell. 

Neoprene sponge rubber is a versatile material, featuring good resilience and resistance to UV and ozone. It has a working temperature range of -40ºc to +115ºc, good chemical stability, and good general resistance to oils and petroleum-based fuels.

Silicone sponge is a resilient material with high-temperature stability, chemically inert and waterproof. Silicone sponge is a closed-cell, available in a range of densities (firmness) it has a number of features that make it suitable for outdoor sealing including Ozone, UV resistance and temperature flexibility, meaning it will not freeze/crack.  

Viton sponge is another closed-cell variety of sponge rubber offered by ASG.  It is manufactured with skin on both faces which increases its tear resistance. It has a wide working temperature range of -25°C to +204°C and good resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, fuels, lubricants, acids, weathering and ozone.

PVC Nitrile sponge is a closed-cell, very soft type, manufactured with smooth skin on both faces. This sponge rubber is often the preferred choice for use within thermal insulation applications due to its Class O flame retardant characteristics.  

Poron sponge is closed-cell polyurethane sponge rubber, which offers excellent compression resistance, good chemical resistance and longevity.  These gaskets are low out-gassing, non-fogging and will not become brittle and break down over time.

Industrial sponge rubber is a high quality, open-cell natural sponge rubber.  The open cell structure enables excellent compression recovery, but also to form around uneven surfaces, limited absorption and circulation of gas and liquids if required. It is an excellent choice of material for us as a protective sponge, expansion joints and anti-vibration applications.

 

Benefits of Sponge Rubber Gaskets

Depending on the type and grade of sponge rubber taken, the material will offer a whole host of properties and benefits, some of which include:

• Sound/vibration Suppression
• Thermal Properties
• Bonded with other materials based on application
• Oils, chemical, acid, fuel resistance
• Ozone, weathering, UV resistance 
• Wide working temperature range