Rubber Gasket Material is widely used throughout industry and beyond into such activities as plumbing, automotive, refrigeration and air conditioning. Unfortunately Rubber Gasket Material is also widely misunderstood and often misused.
What Is A Gasket?
Gaskets are basically a compromise that enables two flat surfaces to be joined together and contain something between them in a manner whereby the surfaces can be easily parted at a later date. The gasket is a device for sealing two surfaces, by storing energy between them. The gasket material will be softer than that used for the surfaces that it seals.
What Is Rubber?
Rubber is a very loose term which, strictly speaking should only be applied to natural rubber produced from the latex tapped from a rubber tree. It is better described as an elastic polymeric material (aka an elastomer). Natural rubber is but one type of elastomer and even that is available in varying grades. Rubber Gasket Material might be natural rubber but synthetic rubber is also widely used. There are literally hundreds of different elastomers that can all be described as Rubber Gasket Material. The first thing to decide when ordering any Rubber Gasket material is which type of elastomer is the one that you need.
Choosing Your Elastomer
No Rubber Gasket material can be used on applications involving high temperatures and pressures. Anything above 200° F and 100 psi requires very special attention if Rubber Gasket Material is to be considered. Different elastomers have different capabilities to withstand chemical attack so you must choose a Rubber Gasket Material that is compatible with the fluid it will have to seal inside an assembly.
The Form To Purchase
You can purchase Rubber Gasket Material in sheet, roll or strip form so that you can cut out or fabricate gaskets to any size or shape. Alternatively, you can purchase ready to use gaskets already formed into your required shape. For some critical applications the rubber material will be custom molded to a specific shape and size – the so called “O-Ring” gasket for example.
How And Where To Purchase
You have two initial choices:-
* an OEM rubber gasket manufacturing company
* a distributor or stockist of Rubber Gasket Material
Your choice will depend upon many factors like quantity required, location, urgency of your requirement, etc but, what is important is to realize that you are buying an engineering product and not a mere commodity. If you know exactly what base elastomer, in which hardness, with or without reinforcement and in what size and form – tell the proposed supplier exactly what you want. If you are unsure of anything then tell the supplier what use you intend to make of the elastomeric material that you think you need. A good supplier will recommend precisely what you should be buying.
Engineered Materials Inc. is a reliable source for all types of rubber gasket material in both natural and synthetic grades of elastomer to suit your individual application requirements. Browse their website at engineeredmaterialsinc.com and send an RFQ online.
