Cork
Cork Gasket
Here at Advanced Seals & Gaskets we offer high quality cork gaskets which are widely used in many industries due to its outstanding sealing and flexible properties. Cork offers a solution to many applications in the form of gaskets such as thermal insulations, sealing and sound deadening. We produce all cork gaskets in house using either our oscillating knife or atom presses, meaning we can create bespoke cork gaskets to your specified drawing in any quantity quickly and efficiently, which in return passes on a quality product and a cost saving. Cork Gaskets can be manufactured with a plain or self-adhesive finish, as singular cut parts or kiss cut on a roll. Whether it’s a standard square or more intricate shapes with holes or flanges, we can produce a solution.
What Are Cork Gaskets?
A gasket is a ring or sheet of a substance acting as a seal between surfaces. The purposes for gaskets are to prevent leakages of liquid or gas, keep joints air-tight and prevent the intrusion of damaging debris such as dust, making them a significant component of a variety of applications. Cork gaskets are cheaper, flexible and waterproof material which makes them suitable for use on outdoor furniture and lights. Cork Gaskets can also be found within the automotive and engineering industry for vibration and sound absorption and to seal against oil and chemical leaks. Cork Gaskets are manufactured in various grades including Natural, Resin Bonded, Neoprene Bonded, Nitrile Bonded and Synthetic Bonded, each suited to its own applications.
Why Use Cork Gaskets?
Cork gaskets are used in many industries, the choice of material and grade is determined by factors such as environment, cost and the application itself. Cork has thermal, sound and vibration insulation properties as well as being flexible, waterproof and oil resistance and relatively cheap.
Applications in which cork can be found range from coasters, notice boards and fashion accessories, through to outdoor furniture pads, outdoor light seals, oil seals within the automotive industry and as a base material under heavy plant machinery, pumps and compressors to reduce noise and vibration levels.
Different Grades
There are different grades of cork used to manufacture gaskets for use within many industries each with their own unique characteristics, depending upon the material it is blended. Cork Gaskets provide 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, Resin Bonded, Neoprene Bonded, Nitrile Bonded and Synthetic Bonded.
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, in 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 Cork Gaskets
- Sound Suppression
- Thermal Properties
- Bonded with other materials based on application
- Oils Resistance
- Anti-Vibration
- Natural Material
The Advantages of Using Cork Gaskets
There are many advantages for using cork material to produce gaskets, it’s elasticity and buoyancy characteristics ensure excellent anti-vibration properties. Gaskets made from cork are also fire-resistant and non-conductive, this makes them great for use within automotive, electrical switchgear and electrical appliances. Cork gaskets 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, these can be split down, laminated to greater thicknesses to more cork or different materials and then supplied with a plain or self adhesive of your choice.
What Are The Key Characteristics of Cork Gaskets
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 )
Quality of Cork Gaskets
ALL of our products are all made bespoke to our customers exact requirements with the added bonus of being made under the full control of our Quality Management System to ISO 9001.
More Details
Need more information? Call our sales office direct on 01384 469100, or send an E-mail. One of our experts will be happy to help.