Rubber Slabs and Sheets: Material Options and Applications
Rubber slabs and sheets are versatile materials used for creating custom gaskets that meet specific application needs. These slabs and sheets can be cut to any shape or size, making them ideal for producing gaskets that provide a precise fit and reliable sealing. This guide explores the features, common applications, and the pros and cons of using rubber slabs and sheets for custom gasket cutting.
CanRez® FFKM and Kalrez® slabs and sheets, O-rings, gasket rapid manufacturing, & custom molded parts are available now!
Check with one of Canyon’s helpful product engineers for an expert material and manufacturing recommendation.
Features of Rubber Slabs and Sheets
Rubber slabs and sheets offer several key features that make them ideal for custom gasket cutting:
- Customizability: Rubber slabs and sheets can be easily cut and shaped into gaskets of various sizes and designs, allowing for a perfect fit in any application.
- Material Versatility: Available in a range of rubber materials, including Nitrile, EPDM, Silicone, and Neoprene, rubber slabs and sheets can be selected based on specific chemical, temperature, and environmental requirements.
- Thickness Options: Rubber slabs and sheets come in various thicknesses, allowing for the creation of gaskets that meet specific sealing and cushioning needs.
- Durability: Rubber slabs and sheets are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including exposure to chemicals, abrasion, and extreme temperatures, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- Resilience: These slabs and sheets provide excellent elasticity and flexibility, making them suitable for applications that require movement, vibration damping, and repeated use.
Common Applications of Rubber Slabs and Sheets
Rubber slabs and sheets are used in a wide range of industries where custom gaskets are required for sealing, cushioning, and protection. Common applications include:
- Industrial Equipment: Rubber slabs and sheets are used to create custom gaskets for sealing joints and connections in machinery, preventing leaks and ensuring efficient operation.
- Automotive: In the automotive industry, rubber slabs and sheets are cut into gaskets that provide sealing and insulation for engines, transmissions, and exhaust systems.
- HVAC Systems: Rubber slabs and sheets are used to produce gaskets that seal ductwork, vents, and other components in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, improving energy efficiency and reducing noise.
- Plumbing: Custom gaskets made from rubber slabs and sheets are used in plumbing systems to seal pipes, fittings, and fixtures, preventing leaks and maintaining water-tightness.
- Electrical Enclosures: Rubber slabs and sheets are cut into gaskets that provide insulation and protection for electrical enclosures, keeping moisture, dust, and contaminants out of sensitive components.
Please consult a Canyon Components Engineer about your specific application and we will use our decades of experience to formulate a solution that fits your need.
Get a Quote Now!
Slab and Sheet Materials
CanRez™ FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Extreme temperatures & chemicals require extreme solutions! CanRez™ FFKM slab and sheet materials offer extreme reliability where you need it most! Thousands of sizes in stock now!
CanGuard™ RFI & EMI Shielding Materials
CanGuard™ slab and sheet materials have been developed to offer superior sealing solutions with enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding.
Kalrez® FFKM Perfluoroelastomer
Canyon Components offers Kalrez® Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
Parker® Slabs and Sheets, O-rings, Parofluor parts, parker FKM Viton
Canyon Components offers Parker Hannifin® slabs and sheets, O-rings, Gaskets, Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) parts, & custom molded parts at competitive prices and with great lead-times.
FKM (Viton®, Fluorocarbon)
FKM slabs and sheets, compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts exhibit excellent mechanical attributes as well as excellent resistance to high temperatures, mineral oil, ozone, fuels, hydraulic fluids, and many other solvents and chemicals.
Aflas® (TFE/P)
TFE/P (Aflas) slabs and sheets, compounds, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts gives high resistance to steam, hot water, atmospheric wear, and many chemicals. TFE/P compounds provide superior performance in water, steam and virtually all caustic chemicals.
Fluorosilicone (FVMQ)
The mechanical and physical properties of Fluorosilicone slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very similar to silicone. Fluorosilicone O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts offer improved flexibility and strength, better resistance to fuels and mineral oil, but reduced hot air resistance.
Silicone (VMQ, PVMQ)
Silicone slabs and sheets, seals, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are excellent for extreme temperatures in static applications. Canyon Components carries a range of silicone materials, and we are happy to custom tailor a seal to meet your application requirements!
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene)
EPDM slabs and sheets, materials, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts can operate over a wide temperature range, and are compatible with glycol fluids that cause problems for most typical elastomeric seals.
NBR (Nitrile, Buna-N)
Nitrile slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are very oil-resistant, have strong mechanical properties, are resistant to wear, and are relatively inexpensive. These properties make Nitrile the most commonly used general purpose O-ring, gasket, & custom molded part material.
HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile)
Hydrogenated Nitrile slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts offer higher strength and reduced degradation at high temperatures compared to conventional Nitrile materials. These properties make HNBR materials popular in the oil and gas industry, as well as many applications in the chemical industry.
XNBR (Carboxylated Nitrile)
XNBR slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts are similar to Nitrile, but the backbone has been chemically modified with a Carboxylic Acid group. The resulting elastomer is a Nitrile rubber with outstanding abrasion and chemical resistance, superior to that of traditional Nitrile.
Neoprene (CR)
Chloroprene was the first synthetic rubber, and was developed commercially under the name Neoprene®. Chloroprene slabs and sheets, rubbers, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts contain Chlorine in the polymer to reduce the reactivity to many oxidizing agents, as well as to oil and flame.
Polyurethane (PU, AU)
Polyurethane slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts generally have two or three times greater tensile strength and wear resistance than Nitrile and comparable polymers. Polyurethane also provides excellent permeation resistance when compared to most rubbers.
PTFE (Teflon)
The harshest environments require specialized solutions. Often times, a Canyon Components PTFE slabs and sheets are used in harsh chemical environments. Polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as PTFE or Teflon®, is a high-performance fluoropolymer known for its exceptional chemical resistance, low friction, and non-stick properties.
Product Types
Custom Parts
Here at Canyon Components, we make sure to offer our customers any manufacturing technique they desire. Whether your slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom molded parts be rubber, plastic, or metal, rest assured that Canyon Components can make it!
Gaskets & Custom Cutting
Whether your custom cut parts be rubber, plastic, sponge, composite, or metal, rest assured that Canyon Components can make it! Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. If you need something that isn't listed, feel free to contact a Canyon Components product and application consultant.
Specialty Compliances
Canyon have materials available for slabs and sheets, O-rings, gaskets, & custom parts with compliances ranging from USP Class VI <87> & <88> for medical applications, to FDA CFR 21.177.2600 grades A through F for different food types, to the various drinking water specifications like KTW and NSF. Whether it's metal, rubber, or plastic, Canyon can meet your needs!
Rubber Slab and Sheet Pros & Cons
Rubber slabs and sheets are a versatile and cost-effective solution for producing custom gaskets that meet specific application needs. Their flexibility, material options, and durability make them ideal for a wide range of industries, from automotive to HVAC and industrial equipment. However, potential limitations such as precision, material waste, and thickness constraints should be considered when selecting rubber slabs and sheets for custom gasket cutting. Understanding the features, applications, and potential drawbacks of rubber slabs and sheets will help you make informed decisions to ensure optimal performance in your systems.
Canyon Components strives to meet all customer service requests. Feel free to contact Canyon Components engineering and let our knowledgeable staff help you design the perfect part for your needs.
Pros of Rubber Slabs and Sheets
Rubber slabs and sheets offer several advantages that make them a preferred choice for custom gasket cutting:
- Flexibility: Rubber slabs and sheets can be easily cut and shaped into gaskets that meet specific dimensions and design requirements, providing a perfect fit for any application.
- Versatile Material Options: With a wide range of rubber materials available, rubber slabs and sheets can be selected to meet the chemical, temperature, and environmental demands of different applications.
- Cost-Effective: Rubber slabs and sheets offer a cost-effective solution for producing custom gaskets, as they allow for efficient use of material and can be tailored to specific needs without requiring expensive molds or tooling.
- Durability: Rubber slabs and sheets provide long-lasting performance, even in harsh environments, reducing the need for frequent gasket replacements.
- Quick Turnaround: Rubber slabs and sheets allow for rapid production of custom gaskets, making them ideal for applications that require fast solutions.
Cons of Rubber Slabs and Sheets
While rubber slabs and sheets offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Limited Precision: Cutting rubber slabs and sheets by hand or with basic tools may result in less precise gaskets, especially for complex shapes or tight tolerances. Advanced cutting methods, such as waterjet or die cutting, may be required for higher precision.
- Material Waste: Depending on the shape and size of the gaskets being cut, there may be some material waste, which could increase costs.
- Thickness Limitations: While rubber slabs and sheets are available in various thicknesses, finding the exact thickness required for certain applications may be challenging, and custom thicknesses may need to be ordered.
- Compression Set: Over time, rubber gaskets cut from slabs and sheets may experience compression set, where the material becomes permanently deformed under pressure, potentially reducing their sealing effectiveness.
Back to Products Hub
