Rubber gaskets are undervalued but crucial components in thousands of machines and appliances used in our daily lives to create a barrier between two objects to prevent any leaking of liquid or gas or offer protection from outside elements like moisture and dust. Because of their varied applications, rubber gaskets are manufactured in many different shapes and sizes.
Rubber compound considerations
Each rubber compound used to manufacture rubber gaskets has different physical characteristics like durometer and tensile strength. Durometer refers to the resistance to complete indentation of a material, while tensile strength is the maximum stress the rubber can undergo while being stretched to determine whether it’s brittle or more crack resistant.
These are the most common materials rubber gaskets are made from:
Butyl
Butyl rubber is a synthetic rubber used to manufacture elastic rubber gaskets resistant to cracking and degrading.
Flurosilicone
Fluorosilicone is stable in extreme temperatures and is widely used for sealing products like rubber gaskets in various industrial applications.
Fluoroelastomer
Fluoroelastomer is commonly known as Viton®, a tradename of the Dupont corporation. It is a synthetic rubber that is commonly used to manufacture chemical resistant seals and gaskets. In addition, it is resistant to high temperatures while retaining its mechanical properties.
Neoprene
Neoprene is an all-purpose polymer, and rubber gaskets manufactured from it are moderately resistant to petroleum products and offers good resistance to the ozone and weathering. Sponge neoprene gaskets have tiny individual sealed cells that resist moisture, dirt, and air. As a result, they are great sound and vibration insulators. On the other hand, diaphragm neoprene gaskets are reinforced with nylon fabric to enhance their interior structure.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
EDM rubber gaskets provide excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, and UV rays. It can withstand an extensive range of temperatures and are generally used in outdoor applications.
Nitrile
This widely used material is highly resistant to petroleum products and animal fats. These rubber gaskets are often used in automotive applications. Nitrile rubber gaskets are also often used in food processing equipment to deal with animal by-products that contain grease and oil.
Silicone
Silicone is popular in the automotive industry because of its resistance to oxygen, ozone, and ultraviolet light. Silicone rubber gaskets are also ideal for extreme temperature applications.
Rubber gasket fabrication
There is four rubber gasket cutting methods widely used.
Hand cutting
As the most traditional method, hand cutting rubber gaskets usually involves an assembly line to speed up the process. However, this technique is reserved for prototyping and less critical applications.
Die-cutting
A die-cutting machine punches a unique rubber gasket shape from the sheet material. Each individual die is based on the engineer’s design. This method of fabricating rubber gaskets is generally limited by the thickness of the materials used.
Water jet cutting
Water jet cutting is excellent for precision-cut rubber gaskets since it creates a cleaner cut on thick rubber materials.
Moulded
Moulded rubber gaskets are created through custom-fit moulds and are best for the high-volume production of unique jobs.
Rubber gasket applications
Our offers on precision rubber gaskets service a broad spectrum of needs at facilities across several specialised industries. Some of the sectors we supply with rubber gaskets include:
- Agriculture
- Automotive
- Fluid control
- Food and beverage
- Heavy-duty equipment
- Hydraulics
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Pneumatics
- Swimming pool industry
- Power generation
- Railway
- Refinery and petroleum
- Transformers
Why choose Fuzion Trading
For over 30 years, Fuzion Trading has positioned itself as a market leader for precision rubber products. This has led us to build up an extensive range of specialised rubber gaskets for use across several industries, facilities, and applications.
Each of our rubber gaskets is designed and developed with efficiency, reliability, and affordability at its core. This ensures that our products provide a robust and versatile solution to every facility we work with, regardless of the application.
Specialised solutions to spec
In addition to our off-the-shelf precision rubber products, we also work closely with our clients to provide solutions that meet their specific needs. Speak to us today for more about fluid sealing products in Johannesburg for particular operations that are a perfect fit for your equipment and facility.
Contact Fuzion Trading for details
Fuzion Trading works with and stocks a wide range of rubber gaskets for industrial and commercial applications. Find out more about our specialised range of rubber gaskets by contacting one of our representatives. Alternatively, you can continue browsing our website for more information.