Feb 24, 2025
Rubber gasket compounds are essential components in industrial applications, offering high elasticity and superior sealing capabilities. Their ability to conform to irregular surfaces while maintaining resistance to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals makes them indispensable across various industries. Additionally, their durability ensures long-lasting performance, minimizing downtime and maintaining safety standards.
Durlon® CNA sheet gaskets combine synthetic fibers, rubber compounds, and non-asbestos fillers to deliver exceptional sealability and chemical resistance, making them a reliable choice for industrial applications.
Types of Rubber Gasket Compounds
Rubber gasket materials come in a variety of formulations, each tailored to specific industrial needs. The primary types of rubber compounds used in gasket manufacturing include:
- Natural Rubber
- Fabric-Supported Rubber
- Synthetic Rubbers, such as:
- Neoprene (Chloroprene) or (CR)
- Silicone Rubber
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
- Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
- FDA-Approved Food-Grade Rubber
- Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)
Among these, NBR is the most commonly used elastomeric material for gaskets due to its outstanding resistance to petroleum-based compounds, hydraulic fluids, acids, gasoline, and alkalis. It also offers excellent water and gas impermeability, making it suitable for applications where fluid retention is critical.
For food and beverage applications, only FDA-compliant rubber compounds are acceptable. These materials are odorless, tasteless, and highly resistant to chemicals and bacterial growth. Durlon® CNA sheet gaskets incorporate high-grade NBR and FDA-approved rubber, ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards.
Benefits of Rubber Compounds in Compressed Sheet Materials
Rubber compounds provide several advantages in gasket manufacturing, including:
- Superior Flexibility:
The elasticity of rubber allows it to create tight seals even on complex surfaces, ensuring optimal performance. - Temperature Resistance:
Industrial gaskets require materials that can withstand extreme temperatures. NBR, for example, can function effectively within a temperature range of -40°F to +212°F (-40°C to +100°C). - Chemical Resistance:
Rubber compounds exhibit varying degrees of resistance to solvents, oils, acids, and alkalis, depending on the type and formulation. - Durability:
Rubber maintains its properties over extended periods, reducing the need for frequent replacements and ensuring consistent performance in demanding environments.
Applications for Rubber Gaskets
Rubber gaskets are manufactured in different forms to suit various industrial applications:
- Sheet Gaskets:
Used in flanges, plumbing connections, HVAC systems, and general sealing applications. - O-Rings:
Essential for pumps, valves, engines, and hydraulic systems. - Molded Gaskets:
Customized solutions for electrical enclosures, aerospace equipment, and automotive engines. - Gasket Seals:
Designed for doors, windows, cabinets, and industrial enclosures requiring secure sealing in channels or grooves.
Durlon® CNA sheet gaskets serve multiple industries, including chemical processing, power generation, mining, primary metals, pulp and paper, and food and beverage.
How to Choose the Correct Rubber Compound
Selecting the appropriate rubber gasket material requires careful consideration of several factors, including:
- Pressure Requirements
- Chemical Compatibility
- Operating Temperature Range
- Sealing Performance Needs
- Environmental Conditions
Durlon® gasket materials adhere to ISO 9001 quality standards and undergo continuous testing and stringent quality control to ensure optimal performance.
- Durlon® 8500:
Features high-grade NBR rubber bonded with high-strength aramid and inorganic fibers, making it ideal for soybean processing, steam, natural gas, and new-generation refrigerants. It complies with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. - Durlon® 8600:
Composed of high-strength aramid and inorganic fibers bonded with SBR rubber, providing a “white” gasket material suitable for water, steam, air, inert gases, alcohols, dilute acids, alkalis, ammonia, and other liquids and gases.
For more information on Durlon® CNA sheet gaskets and their industrial applications, contact us today to explore the best gasket material for your needs.