Sponge Rubber

Sponge Rubber Washers

Advanced Seals & Gaskets we offer an excellent in-house cutting service, using high-quality material and state of the art machinery, we can offer washers cut from a range of materials including various types and grades of sponge rubber. Sponge rubber washers are all made to order and are based on dimensions, samples or drawings to ensure the final product perfectly fits the application – even offering a small sample run if required. Depending on the size and quantity of the washers required, our production team will select from our range of atoms, autos, travelling head, kiss cut pressing machines or for very large or thick washers, we can programme our CNC (oscillating knife) to produce the washers in the most efficient way to keep lead times down. The sponge rubber material is stocked in a range of standard manufactured thicknesses starting at just 1mm, which can then be laminated to other materials or coated with a sale-adhesive backing prior to the washers being cut.

 

What Are Sponge Rubber Washers?

Sponge rubber is one of many materials we stock and convert into other products,  including washers. A sponge rubber washer is a flat ring cut from a sheet or roll of material that is placed between two surfaces creating a level surface, acting as a spacer/seal or between a nut/bolt to spread the pressure when tightened. Sponge rubber has a closed-cell structure but can still be compressed between two surfaces to create air, dust and watertight seal or placed with machinery, electrical appliances and vehicles to reduce unwanted excess noise and vibration.

 

Why Use Sponge Rubber Washers?

Sponge washers possess a number of desirable properties making them a popular choice across many industries. Its closed-cell structure creates an air, dust and watertight seal, provides a solution to unwanted rattles, noise, vibrations and can also be used to cushion between moving parts to reduce friction and damage to components and equipment. Different types of sponge rubber washers 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. Sponge rubber washers 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 washers for use within many industries each with its own unique characteristics. Sponge rubber washers 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 washers 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 washers 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 Washers

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