Table of Contents
Neoprene foam is a lighter and less dense material when compared to solid neoprene. Because of this, it is able to provide a higher degree of compressibility. Neoprene foam retains a lower tensile strength and is not suitable for abrasive conditions but is ideal for applications that require heavy compression. Like its solid form, neoprene foam sheets are resistant to the damaging effects of harsh solvents including chemicals and oil; however, open and closed cell soft neoprene foam have varying levels of moisture-resistance. Closed cell neoprene rubber sheets are more resistant to moisture than its open cell counterpart allowing it to be used in marine settings or industrial applications involving moisture. On the other hand, open cell neoprene is better suited for energy absorption; a foam neoprene pad can be used to help dampen sound. Additionally, soft neoprene foam has a wide operating temperature range, being able to withstand temperatures as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
General Purpose Rubber – Black – 60A
Closed Cell Rubber – Blend
- Temperature Range: -40 F to +200 F
- Durometer rating of 20-25 Shore C
- Sheets available in size of 39in by 78in
- Ideal for use in shock absorption and gasket related applications
- A versatile blend of closed cell sponge available at affordable rates
Moderate Weather Resistance: This closed cell sponge rubber benefits from the presence of Neoprene material since each sponge sheet is composed of Neoprene and SBR. A characteristic of Neoprene rubber is its good resistance to outdoor weathering effects such as UV rays and ozone. As a result, it is often employed wherever a rubber part is needed for the outdoors. This blended cellular rubber possesses a moderate degree of outdoor weather resistance.
A Durable Sponge Rubber: As a direct benefit from the SBR rubber used to make it, this closed cell sponge rubber possesses a good degree of physical durability. SBR is known for its superior physical strength and resistance to physical abrasions. It is the reason why SBR is so popular for use in vehicle tires, which are expected to endure harsh physical conditions on a daily basis. Although cellular rubber tends to be a softer material overall, especially when compared to its regular solid rubber counterparts, it is still durable enough to handle some moderate level physical abrasions.
What is Neoprene Foam?
Neoprene foam is the cellular form of solid neoprene and is characterized by numerous pockets of air within its structure. Neoprene foam is made when gases, such as nitrogen, are introduced to the material during its production process which creates the pockets of air in its structure. Due to its air-filled composition, neoprene foam sheets are highly compressible. This soft neoprene material is more compressible than solid neoprene, can offer better insulation, and retains excellent energy absorption properties. In addition, neoprene foam is resistant to the damaging effects of ozone, oxidation, chemicals, oil, and extreme temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two types of neoprene foam: closed cell and open cell. Each type of neoprene foam has different chemical and physical properties that are brought on by the difference in structures; however, neoprene foam sheets are ideal for most general-purpose applications.
Is Neoprene a Closed Cell Foam?
One form of neoprene foam is closed cell and it is characterized by its tight-knit composition of air pockets. Closed cell neoprene foam is a flexible and highly compressible material that is commonly used as seals and gaskets for high-pressure applications making a closed cell neoprene pad a much more compressible option than solid neoprene rubber sheets. Closed cell foam is also moderately resistant to staining caused by exposure to oil or gas. This resistance quality makes closed cell neoprene foam an extremely durable and reliable material that will retain its strength even when exposed to harsh solvents. Due to its tight-knit structure, closed cell neoprene foam sheets are highly moisture-resistant having an absorption level of less than 5%. Due to its moisture-resistance, closed cell neoprene foam can be used in applications involving water, including salt water, without absorbing it or deteriorating.
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 50A
General Purpose Rubber – Black – 60A
- Smooth black finish
- Stocked width of 36”
- A rubber sheet for a variety of applications
- Working temperature range of -10° F to 190° F
- Black rubber roll available in lengths of 25ft or 50ft depending on the thickness of the rubber
SBR Rubber: Our General Purpose Rubber sheets are made using styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). This synthetic elastomer is known for its durability. SBR’s physical qualities are present in this solid rubber sheet. With a durometer rating of 60, it can handle physical abrasions pretty well. This rubber sacrifices some elasticity and pliability, but it is meant more for physical applications that require a moderate degree of strength. In addition, its durability is enhanced by the fact that it is a vulcanized rubber sheets.
Meant for Not So Sensitive Applications: General Purpose Rubber is very adaptable. A sheet of this elastomer can be made into various seals and gaskets that can then be used for a large variety of different applications. This solid rubber material is well suited for use in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The material of this black rubber roll functions very well as bumper and pad material too thanks to their good durability.
Neoprene – Commercial Grade – 80A
What is Open Cell Neoprene?
Open cell neoprene foam, as its name suggests, is characterized by the large pockets of air within its composition. Compared to closed cell neoprene, this soft neoprene material is much more porous due to its larger air pockets. Although these air pockets make open cell neoprene foam unfit for applications involving moisture, they allow energy and matter to better disperse within the composition of the material. Due to these characteristics of open cell neoprene, “open cell foam is generally more flexible than closed cell foam and can more easily conform to sealing applications. It can be less durable than closed cell options, though” (rubberlibrary.com). This property of open cell neoprene foam makes it a great option for sound dampening applications. For instance, an open cell neoprene pad can be placed under a vibrating or moving object to help dampen the noise created by dispersing the energy of sound within its airy structure. Due to its permeable nature, open cell neoprene foam is better suited for dry applications, such as sound dampening, rather than applications involving moisture.
What is the Difference Between Closed Cell and Open Cell Foam?
The primary difference between closed cell and open cell neoprene foam is their structure which dictates their permeability and density. This difference between the two types of neoprene foam determines which applications they can and cannot be used. For instance, “Open-cell sponge rubber contains open, interconnected pockets that permit the passage of air, water, and other chemicals when the material is not compressed. Closed-cell sponge rubber contains balloon-like cells that hold nitrogen gas and thus prevent the passage of these substances at low pressures” (linkedin.com). Because closed cell neoprene has a tight-knit structure of air pockets, it is much more difficult to permeate through the material making it suitable for applications involving moisture. Furthermore, closed cell neoprene foam generally has higher compressive strengths and lower absorption rates that open cell foam; this allows for greater structural potency over that of open cell neoprene. Open cell neoprene is extremely permeable, which allows energy to be evenly distributed within the composition of the material while still maintaining the structural integrity of the neoprene foam. The porous structure of an open cell neoprene pad traps and rebounds energy within its interconnected pockets and eventually allows the energy to disperse. Despite these differences, neoprene foam, both closed cell and open cell, retains better compression, insulation, and energy-absorption when compared to solid neoprene rubber sheets.
Is Neoprene Resistant to Oil? (Hydraulic Fluid Oil)
Closed Cell Rubber – Neoprene
Closed Cell Rubber – Blend – 39″ x 78″
These qualities of closed and open cell neoprene foam allow them to be used in applications solid neoprene cannot. Solid neoprene rubber sheets are much denser and not as flexible or pliable as cellular neoprene and will not perform well in highly compressive applications. Each type of neoprene foam is better suited for different applications. Closed cell neoprene is best suited for moisture-resistance while its open cell form is better for energy absorption, such as sound reduction. Despite their differences, due to their airy structures, both forms of neoprene foam sheets are able to provide better compressibility while also being resistant to degrading solvents and conditions, such as oil, chemicals, and extreme heat.
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.
