Rubber gaskets are mechanical seals placed between the mating surfaces of components to prevent process fluids from escaping or contaminants from entering the system.
While the terms “gasket” and “seal” are often used interchangeably, they are distinct products. Seals are a broad product category that encompasses a wide range of sealing components, including gaskets. While other seals can be used in static or dynamic applications with flat or rounded components, gaskets are generally only used for static applications involving flat flanges.
Gaskets are available in several designs, varying in size, shape, and material, to suit different needs. The three most commonly employed types are:
Chloroprene Gaskets
Extremely durable and highly versatile, enabling gaskets made out of it to withstand harsh environmental conditions and resist damage from oils and other petroleum solvents.
EPDM Gaskets
Highly durable and extremely resistant to sunlight and heat, often used in outdoor environments. Able to withstand harsh weather conditions without losing their structural integrity or color.
Learn MoreSilicone Gaskets
A high-performance rubber often used to produce gaskets that are exposed to extremely high or low temperatures. Ideal for applications in extreme southern or northern locations.
Learn MoreRubber Gasket Materials
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At Fournier Rubber, we have experience with a wide range of rubber gasket materials, including the following:
- Cloth-inserted sheet
- Closed-cell sponge
- Coramic
- Cork
- Cork-rubber blend
- Diaphragm sheet
- EPDM
- Felt
- Natural rubber
- Neoprene
- Nitrile (Buna-N)
- Non-asbestos Material
- Open-cell sponge
- Poron®
- Red rubber
- Silicone and silicone sponge
- 3M VHB™
- Vegetable fiber
- Urethane
- Wallet paper
Whether you need standard commercial grade gaskets or gaskets that comply with FDA or ASTM standards, our expert team can assist you in choosing the right rubber for your needs.
Industrial Cutting and Forming Techniques for Rubber Gaskets
Once we identify what rubber to use, we employ a variety of cutting and forming techniques to produce the gasket. The methods we use include:
Hand Cutting
Hand cutting operations are generally used to make prototypes to test out different gasket designs and produce production-quality gaskets for use in less critical applications. Equipped with years of gasket cutting experience, our craftsman can create specialized items for highly unique applications, as well as bond rubber and other materials to metal, fabricate sleeves, and process difficult-to-cut gasketing materials.
Die Cutting
Die cutting operations enable us to produce gaskets that are custom-tailored to a specific application. Using a wide range of gasket cutting equipment, we manufacture small to large quantities of gaskets to exact specifications.
Strip Cutting
Strip cutting operations involve cutting rubber and other materials from sheet or roll goods into sizes based on the customer specifications. We employ a zinc strip cutting table to process a broad selection of materials, including rubber, non-asbestos, neoprene sponge, silicone sponge, Poron, Viton®, vegetable fiber, and more.
Molding/Extrusion
Molding and extrusion operations allow us to produce custom precision gaskets in high volumes. The process is ideal for critical applications that require unique rubber extrusions and rubber molded parts.
Rubber Gasket Applications
Rubber gaskets find use in a wide range of industrial applications, including in the following equipment:
- Alternative energy systems
- Electrical motors, power generators, and transformers
- Electronics and instrumentation
- Lighting Equipment
- Medical devices
- Portable electronic devices
- Pumps
- Telecommunications systems
- Transportation and automotive systems
Turn to the Experts at Fournier Rubber for Quality Rubber Gaskets
Rubber gaskets are employed by industry professionals in parts and products ranging from consumer goods to industrial fluid systems. They are available in numerous variations, differing in regard to size, shape, material, and mode of manufacture, which makes choosing the right one for an application difficult.
If you need assistance selecting a rubber gasket for your application, turn to the experts at Fournier Rubber. We have the skill and knowledge to manufacture rubber gaskets that meet your exact needs. To learn more about our rubber gasket capabilities, visit our about us page or contact us today. For pricing details, request a quote with your gasket requirements.
- Buna-N
- Cloth Inserted Sheet
- Closed Cell Sponge
- Coramic
- Cork
- Cork and Rubber
- Diaphragm Sheet
- EPDM
- Felt
- Natural Rubber
- Neoprene Rubber
- Nitrile
- Open Cell Sponge
- Poron
- Red Rubber
- Silicone Rubber
- Silicone Sponge
- 3M VHB
- Vegetable Fiber
- Urethane
- Wallet Paper