When you hear about the material neoprene, gasket material probably isn’t the first application that’ll come to mind. Wrist braces, laptop sleeves and wetsuits are more mainstream items that are made of the all-purpose rubber. Yet, one of the first uses for the synthetic rubber was for automotive parts, most notably for a gasket or rubber seal. Moreover, the predominate modern industrial use of this rubber is as neoprene gaskets in equipment and machinery.
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 45A
Neoprene rubber gaskets were used in the majority of vehicles and war machines during World War II as both gasket and seals. Synthetic rubbers like neoprene came to replace natural tree derived elastomers, since access to NR (natural rubber) was limited. Substituting for the then-scarce natural rubber, neoprene was found to have far more traits than natural rubber that suited it for automotive use. Here are some of the reasons that this synthetic product is suitable as gasket rubber:
Resistance to Oil and Grease: During the advent of neoprene, a resistance to oils and grease was the synthetic rubber’s breakthrough feature. Natural rubber does not withstand oils or grease well, making it an unpopular choice for the automotive industry. With the proliferating automotive industry and the growth of the military spending, the explosion of demand for an oil resistant elastomer was only natural This allowed its widespread use with modern machinery, especially the automotive industry. The prevalence of oils and greases in modern life made this rubber product a natural fit. With more abundance and better tolerance for a variety of substances, neoprene quickly became a must-have material!
Temperature Tolerance: Neoprene gaskets tolerance for a wide range of temperatures is another characteristic that was an improvement from tree sap rubber parts. Compared to the natural variety this gasket rubber had a better tolerance for higher temperatures, withstanding over 200 degrees F. The conditions inside an engine bay, for example, can fluctuate throughout a range of temperatures. With a typical running temperature of about 200 degrees F, natural rubber would not be able to withstand the extreme heat for very long. This would mean a shorter lifespan and unstable rubber gasket. With synthetic rubber, manufacturers could ensure that the neoprene rubber gaskets would hold up effectively, regardless of the high temperatures.
Neoprene – CG – 60A – 72″ Wide
Neoprene – CG – 60A – 72″ Wide
- Tasks that require flexible materials
- Industrial gasket, bumper, or sealing applications
- Projects that would be better served with wider sheets
- Industrial applications that involve oils, chemicals, ozone
- Applications that involve temperatures between -20° F and 212° F
72” Wide Sheet: This black neoprene sheet is specifically made to be 72” wide. The reason for this is because the standard 36” or 48” wide sheet rolls cannot satisfy the requirements of every application. We make 72” wide sheets of neoprene available so that you do not have to order too many materials for your job. It will help make sure that you have more to work with at a lower cost, minimizing the chances of you being stuck with unused leftover material. A standard roll of 72” wide flexible neoprene is well suited for large-scale industrial applications.
Good Resistance: The oil and chemical resistance of neoprene is in very popular with consumers. Being a synthetic elastomer, it comes with good resistance characteristics against some oils and chemicals. This feature comes in handy for industrial applications that see the presence of abrasive oils and chemicals. As a bumper, pad, or gasket, neoprene is well suited to performing in the presence of such hazards. It also possesses a good level of resistance against ozone.
Good Compressibility: The compressibility of this elastomer, in both sheet and sponge form, a=make it ideal as gasket and seals. This synthetic rubber material has excellent rebound and maintains its characteristics well when put under stress. Neoprene gasket material effectively insulates and keep liquids and gases contained and this makes it an effective rubber seal.
Resistant to Ozone and Oxidation: Neoprene possesses a higher resilience to ozone and oxidation exposure than tree-derived products that will biodegrade quickly. This gives this synthetic elastomer far longer life outdoors. Even though neoprene is a wear part, its resistance to outside conditions helps to ensure that the material will not grow brittle and crack, compromising its effectiveness.
Resistance to More Chemicals: By no means are neoprene gaskets fully chemically resistant (frankly nothing is!) but the rubber is very resistant to particular and popularly used industrial chemicals like ammonium, Freon and alcohols. A stronger, more resilient rubber like neoprene is ideal for a larger variety of gasket rubber applications.
Neoprene rubber gaskets began to be used about 80 years ago when the rubber made its first debut in the automotive industry during a natural rubber shortage during the war. A testament to its durability and reliability, neoprene is still the preferred material for gasket and seals and the choice for a whole host of applications. With neoprene custom rubber parts, this synthetic rubber is more durable and better suited for more applications than natural rubber due to its chemical and weather resistant qualities. In any given day, you will encounter neoprene several times due to its common usage in everyday products. All of these originated from its dynamic popularity with “Big Auto.” Let’s hope the next time you hear neoprene, gasket material comes to mind!
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 70A
