A Quick Intro to Rubber Gasket Materials


Canada Rubber Group (CRG) fabricates gaskets from a wide variety of quality sheet rubbers. Understanding the properties and characteristics of the various rubbers we use is a key component of our business. In many cases, we are able to solve many sealing issues and challenges by recommending the preferred rubber gasket materials to our customers.

CRG stocks a wide selection of rubber gasket materials from our recognized raw material supply partners, such as Teadit and Interface Performance Materials. Types of materials that we offer include the following:

Ethylene-Propylene (EPDM) Rubber. EPDM rubber has good resistance to ozone, steam, strong acids and alkali. This type of rubber is not recommended for producing gaskets which will be used in applications involving solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Fluoroelastomer (FKM). Sometimes known by the trade name Viton®, this rubber offers excellent resistance to strong acids, oils, gasoline, chlorate solvents and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. It is not recommended for producing gaskets which will be used in applications involving amino acids, esters, ketones and steam.

Nitrile (NBR) Rubber. Known also as Buna-N, nitrile rubber offers good resistance to oils, and alipahatic hydrocarbons and gasoline. Because it offers little resistance to strong oxidant agents, chlorate hydrocarbons, ketones and esters, it is not a good choice for gaskets which need to service these media.

Red Rubber (SBR). Commonly referred to as "synthetic rubber", this rubber was developed as an alternative to natural rubber. It is recommended for gaskets which service cold and hot water, air, steam and some weak acids. Gaskets made from SBR should not be used with strong acids, oils, grease and chlorates. SBR gaskets also offer little resistance to ozone and the majority of hydrocarbons.

Silicone Rubber (SI). Silicone rubber gaskets offer excellent resistance to aging as the rubber is unaffected by sunlight or ozone. Silicone gaskets can also service a wide temperature range, and because the material is relatively inert, they are a preferred choice for sanitary applications. Silicone rubber gaskets do not resist aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons or steam.

Natural Rubber. Also referred to as “gum rubber”, gaskets made from this material have excellent resilience, good compression set, and high resistance to tearing and abrasion. Natural rubber gaskets are flexible and conform well to surface irregularities. While gaskets made from natural rubber are resistant to acids, alcohol, organic salts, and alkalis, these gaskets will deteriorate when exposed to oils, fuels, solvents, and hydraulic fluids.

CRG maintains an extensive inventory of the above rubber gasket materials in various thicknesses and durometers (hardness). Using our advanced production capabilities, including waterjet, rotary die and flex/flash cutting, we are able to precision cut gaskets from these materials in any quantity. All aspects of production are controlled under our ISO 9001:2008 quality management system. Our production lead times are the lowest in the industry and emergency service is also available upon request.

If you are sourcing gaskets produced from high quality rubber gasket materials, CRG is your supply partner of choice. To find out more about the gaskets we can supply, please contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.