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Materials:

Below are some of the more commonly used gasket materials used within various industries. Ontario Gasket is carries a wide variety of materials and substrates in various thicknesses and not limited to any of the listed materials. Please contact us for more information and any material data sheets required.

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Disclaimer:

Note: The data presented in this chart should be used only as a guide to select materials for a particular application. Ontario Gasket recommends that materials for specific applications be thoroughly tested and selected based on the Data Sheets from the manufactures of the materials. Ontario Gasket assumes no risk and/or liabilities on the selection application and use of any material.

1. Rubber Materials

Ontario Gasket fabricates the bulk of its gaskets from rubber. Rubber in both natural and synthetic form has been the material of choice for the manufacturers of sealing materials due to its uncanny ability to assume their original shape and state after the application of a depressing and deforming force. This attribute is also directly related to its tensile strength. Our professional technicians can help guide customers through the many choices they have as to the best rubber gasket material for their gasket application. Heat accumulates and destroys rubber irreversibly which is why rubber is best suited for low temperature applications. Rubber material is best applied for gaskets which are intended to operate in the middle temperature range so that the shape and functionality of the rubber gasket can be maintained.

 

There are many types of rubber gasket material each with different characteristics. The major commercial type of rubber material is SBR, also called red rubber. There are a myriad of other rubber types such as neoprene, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, EPMD, EP rubber, natural rubber, Hypalon rubber, fluorocarbon, silicon, perfluoroelastomer and aflas. Each material suits different circumstances such as temperature, chemicals and hydrocarbons, abrasion, UV light exposure; and characteristics like compression set, flange load, tensile strength and aging. Often fillers and additives are added to achieve these properties. Ontario Gasket stocks all rubber materials allowing for faster turnaround times in production of gaskets. The experienced team at Ontario Gasket will work with you to ensure that the proper rubber gasket material will be used for your gaskets.

2. EPDM Rubber

EPDM, short for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, provides superior resistance to chemicals. Ontario Gasket possesses the expertise & capabilities to die cut this material to your exact specifications.

Sealing environments that are not exposed to oils, gasoline, kerosene, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogenated solvents, and concentrated acids are ideal for EPDM Rubber gaskets. EPDM rubber is often used in weather seals, and as a source of noise reduction in the automotive industry. EPDM is an excellent source for gaskets or gasket sealing against atmospheric conditions such as sunlight, ozone, wind and rain. EPDM rubber can withstand temperatures ranging from -50°C to 150°C.

3. Neoprene Rubber

Neoprene Rubber is very versatile synthetic rubber used in a wide variety of applications. Neoprene rubber resists degradation from sun, ozone and weather and performs well in contact with oils and chemicals. Neoprene rubber maintains its form and tensile strength well over a wide temperature range. Neoprene Rubbers’ versatility can be seen through product lines such as fabric reinforced neoprene, anti-static ESD neoprene and FDA Approved neoprene.

4. Silicone Sponge

Sponge silicone gaskets are soft compared to solid silicone gaskets. These gaskets incorporate a closed cell structure which makes silicone sponge the perfect choice for environmental seals. The density of silicone sponges is usually defined by compression force deflection in a psi range compressed 25%. 2 to 5 psi compression force deflection is rated soft, whereas 14 to 20 psi is rated firm.

Also called closed cell silicone sponge or expanded silicone, comes from uncured silicone gum which then through a specialized manufacturing process, “expands” to the desired size. The phrase “Closed Cell” means that the cells are non-interconnecting and therefore do not allow water absorption. Silicone sponge often provides superior water sealing in a variety of applications.

5. Silicone Foam

Foam silicone gaskets are similar to silicone sponge gaskets, the distinction lies in the way that they are made. Silicone foam products range from very open cell to mostly closed cell cellular structures. The open celled silicone products tend to be best for dust seals or shock/vibration gaskets. The mostly closed cell silicone foam gaskets coupled with Silicone’s low toxicity characteristics work extremely well for environmental seals.

Open Cell Foam is lightweight product that is produced through a specialized process using liquid silicone ingredients. Higher density silicone foams are suitable for water sealing whereas low density silicone foams may allow moisture to pass through the its open cell structure. Thus, with appropriate coverage, achieving long term rain/weather seals with silicone foam is certainly possible, thanks to advancements in modern technology in the sealing industry.

6. Solid Silicone

Ontario Gasket carries a wide variety of solid silicone sheet/silicone rubber sheet materials, ranging from .015″ (0.38mm) to .500″ (12.7mm) thick and 10 to 70 durometer (hardness) Shore A. We fabricate a full line of silicone rubber sheet materials and many silicones provided by the leading solid silicone sheet/silicone rubber manufacturers. With an abundance of silicone material products available on the market, we concentrate on, not limited to, general purpose and military specification grades, high flex/high tensile strength grades, silicones with UL 94 flame ratings, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.

 

7. PTFE

PTFE gasket material is a common material utilized for the making of gaskets. There are a number of gasket materials which should be carefully chosen in the gasket creation process. Different PTFE materials have different characteristics each suited for different situations and environments. The most unique and universal characteristics of PTFE gasket material are resistance to mineral and organic chemicals, low friction coefficiency, high heat tolerance and exceptional insulating properties. This material is a thermoplastic whose full name is Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also called Teflon, from the fluoropolmer family.

 

Ontario Gasket stocks many different types of PTFE for the cutting and production of gaskets. The most commonly used types are the virgin PTFE for the medical and electronic applications, the expanded PTFE which is soft and malleable for limited load torque, PTFE film which is very thin, and mechanical grade PTFE gasket material which contains reprocessed PTFE and varies within the manufacturing company. PTFE gasket material is sold in different styles such as Durlon 9600, 9200W, 9000, 9000N & Sigma 533 which is dependent on application. The Durlon is used for equipment in food and beverage and pharmaceutical industry since it is non-contaminating. Gaskets produced using PTFE has the ability to function in the presence of aggressive chemicals.

8. EMI Shielding

Electromagnetic interference shielding is now a necessity as devices continue to reduce in size and become complex in design and technology. The EMI shielding gaskets are important to separate and safeguard components from disruptive electromagnetic waves and radio frequencies disturbances as well as seal the components from environmental factors and other pressures born out compression or shear forces. The importance of the EMI gaskets cannot be overlooked in this competitive business environment.

Ontario Gasket is a leading converter of EMI Shielding gaskets and products, made available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, designs, and configurations from various arrays of materials. All these types of materials and their designs have the intention of giving different levels of protection based on frequency range. A wide range of materials are used, most notably silicon rubber, which usually embeds with silver plated material and preference is made to the conductive gaskets other than the static dissipation gaskets.

9. O-rings

O-ring gaskets from Ontario Gasket are designed and manufactured using the best selection of materials and precisely sized to guarantee exact tolerance and exceptional performance. O-ring elastomeric material is moulded in one piece to ensure a seamless seal. Silicone glue is also used to join lengths in producing O-rings gaskets. The rubber contains additives that will give it the specific qualities needed to successfully perform in the different environments that the O-ring gasket is applied. The three main requirements of quality O-ring gaskets are performance in high temperatures, chemical resistance and the ability to withstand high pressure.

 

O-ring gaskets for both static and dynamic applications are available in a number of sizes and designs which can be made according to custom specifications that clients require. The most common characteristics that Ontario Gasket will strive to achieve with the O-ring gaskets produced are compression set and deformation resistance, resilience, elongation and tear strength, heating aging resistance among others. The commonly used rubber materials include Viton, NBR, Buna, Silicone, and EPDM.