Rubber seals are some of the most versatile products out there, and navigating the vast array of seals available can be daunting on your own. To help you determine which rubber seal is right for your needs, refer to these rubber seal categories conveniently outlined below:
Silicone
Silicone is a material which demonstrates high resilience, temperature stability under extreme heat, and inertness. Silicone comes in several different forms, such as solid, sponge, and foam. Each of these forms has its own special advantages.
Silicone sponge has a closed cell structure, making it ideal for environmental sealing. It can be either soft (2-5 psi) or firm (in the 14-20 psi range).
Like silicone sponge, silicone foam has a closed cell structure and remains stable under UV light.
Other advantageous properties of silicone include being waterproof, flexible (protecting it from damage at extreme temperatures), and shrink-proof.
Neoprene
Neoprene is a type of synthetic rubber made of polymerized chloroprene, which forms a permanent seal. With resilience, tear-strength, and resistance to both UV and ozone damage, neoprene can be a very useful material as long as it avoids petroleum-based fuels. It has excellent resistance to temperatures as low as -40°F and as high as 250°F. Neoprene is also resistant to water and corrosion.
Urethanes
Urethane is a flexible, waterproof, and elastic material that also demonstrates aging and abrasion resistance. It is vulnerable to high temperatures, however. Urethanes come in a variety of blends and formulations.
EPDM
EPDM is a waterproof material with compressibility and aging properties which protect it from UV light, ozone, and oxidation. It comes in varying degrees of density. EPDM combines the closed structure of silicone with the wide temperature resistance of neoprene (from -60°F to 300°F).
This is just a sample of the many materials available at Real Seal. For more industry expertise, contact us today for all of your rubber seal questions and needs.
