Materials
Often our customers know the design details and specifications of the seals, gaskets or other custom parts they need, but ask for our guidance or suggestions on the type of material best suited for their application.
What will your parts be coming in contact with? What sort of environment will they be housed in? Will they be exposed to outdoor elements like sunlight or extreme temperatures? These are the kinds of questions we have to ask in order to narrow down our hundreds of available materials to the one just right for your needs. Explore the materials below and reach out to our experts today to find the ideal material for your needs.
It’s a popular choice for a reason—natural rubber is a good all-around, general-purpose seal and gasket material with excellent physical properties. While it displays poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids, fuels, oils, greases or strong acids, it’s incredibly air- and water-resistant and adds good shock- and vibration-resistance qualities.
The first mass-produced synthetic rubber, neoprene is a strong general-purpose material for indoor and outdoor applications in a variety of environments. Its functional temperature range and tensile strength make neoprene a useful option in automotive, refrigeration and HVAC applications.
Nitrile, also known as Buna-N, is one of the strongest rubber materials for applications involving petroleum or oil. Also featuring high heat resistance, nitrile is an ideal choice for fuel pumps or uses in automotive and industrial setting
Silicone rubber can withstand a wider range of temperatures than nearly every other elastomer, remaining functional between -60 and more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also solidly resistant to, water and electricity, and FDA-compliant grades are available for food-service or pharmaceutical applications.
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers) is an extremely high-density synthetic rubber perfect for outdoor applications with a strong resistance to water, sunlight, ozone, heat and other weather elements. EPDM is frequently used for sealing hot water and steam and in gaskets for braking systems but has poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids.
SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) is a cheaper general-purpose elastomer with properties similar to natural rubber, with high tensile strength, resilience, abrasion resistance and impact strength. It can be commonly found in hydraulic braking systems and the majority of its industrial uses come within the tire industry
A high-performance rubber material first developed for use in the aerospace industry, Viton can withstand temperatures at upwards of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Viton’s high heat and corrosive resistance has led to expanded use within automotive and chemical applications, as well.
A range of major differences in the ingredients used and preparation methods for foam rubber and sponge rubber yield compounds with properties suited for a variety of applications. Rigid foam rubber is ideal for refrigeration and freezer applications, while flexible foam rubber is often used as cushioning. Sponge rubbers are dense and resilient, great for long-lasting uses and in outdoor settings.
Fuel-, oil- and solvent-resistant, cork is a popular material for gasket manufacturing due to its high compressibility and flexibility. Cork is naturally impermeable, buoyant, elastic and fire-retardant and is typically used in gaskets for oil and fuel pumps as well as around electrical equipment.
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Whatever seal, gasket and custom part needs you’re facing, there’s no one solution for every application. Some materials perform admirably in a variety of situations while others excel in specific environments and lack in others. No matter what you require out of your next batch of gaskets, our experts at Breiner Innovative can help you choose the perfect material for your needs.
Specialty Gasket Materials
Before asbestos was discovered to be unsafe to human health, it was a popular and highly effective seal and gasket material possessing desirable qualities. Its fiber strength and other properties made it resistant to severe temperature and chemical exposure.
Once the hazards of asbestos become widespread common knowledge, suitable replacements were sought out. Conveniently called “non-asbestos,” these alternatives are a safe and effective substitute and lend themselves well to specialty gaskets across various applications.
Compressed non-asbestos gaskets combine high strength with resistance to heat, water, gasses, oils, fuels and other chemicals. These types of gaskets are at home in hard-to-seal applications, such as in the presence of steam or sustained high temperatures.
Two of the most common brands of compressed non-asbestos are Thermoseal’s Klingersil®, or just “Klinger,” and Garlock’s Blue Gard®. Each offers a range of different material options tailored for different applications, color-coded for their unique strengths in various uses.
C-4201 (White)
White possesses strong resistance to hot water and steam as well as oil and other non-stick materials. Because of its properties, its an excellent material for original equipment manufacturers.
C-4300 (White/Green)
White/Green is a solid general-purpose choice for catch-all applications. These gaskets have high heat resistance — up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit — and chemical resistance when creating very tight seals.
C-4401 (Green)
The most popular Klingersil gasket, Green has a wide range of strengths and resistances that make it applicable in a variety of settings. Its properties include high heat resistance, chemical stability, torque retention and anti-stick qualities.
C-4430 (White/Green)
White/Green’s strengths are in areas of chemical and corrosive resistance, as well as high temperatures. This premium-grade non-asbestos material is well suited for the aerospace industry and similar applications.
C-4408 (Green)
Green is created with an extra wire mesh support, which gives it an edge in high stress and pressure applications as well as high temperature situations.
C-5400 (Black/White)
Black/White is one of the best gasket choices for high-temperature applications, as it’s able to withstand fluid temperatures up to 725 degrees Fahrenheit and steam temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has anti-stick properties that make it useful in applications that require such characteristics.
C-8200 (Off White)
Off White is best known for its acid resistance, but its properties make it useful for a variety of applications. With high temperature (400 degrees Fahrenheit) and oil resistance as well, Off White can be used as an effective seal in compressors, pumps and valves.
Top-Chem 2000
Not designated by color, Top-Chem 2000 is an FDA-compliant gasket material with properties that make it superior at high temperatures with acid resistance and strength capabilities for withstanding large surface loads. It is also Thermoseal’s only product that has been Fire Test certified.
3000 (Blue)
The most popular Garlock gasket earned that designation because of its wide variety of applications and strengths wherever it is applied. Blue’s ability to seal, lower energy consumption and reduce waste make it best used in water and wastewater treatments, boilers — it can withstand temperatures up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit — oil production, gas production, food processing and more.
3200/3400 (Off White/Black)
Highlighted by super sealing capabilities, low emissions and torque retention, this material is a good option for power generation, water lines and gas production and delivery.
3300 (Black)
Black is most effective against oils, fuels, refrigerants and other corrosives. With temperature resistance up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s also well suited for steam and power generation, water distribution and transportation.
3700 (Light Grey)
Light Grey is one of the toughest gasket choices available. It is another great option for resistance to corrosive or acidic materials but can also stand up to weather and ozone aging.
Interactive Material Selector
In the table below, you can find more helpful information about common materials we work with here at Breiner Innovative. If you’re unsure which material will work best for your specific application, reach out to our experts today. We look forward to finding the perfect material to meet your seal, gasket or custom parts needs.
| Name | Designation | Composition | Temp Range (F°) | Properties | Resistant To | Attacked By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buna-N (Nitrile) | NBR | Nitrile-butadiene | -30 to 250 | Excellent resistance to petroleum-based fluids. Good physical properties. | Many hydrocarbons, fats, oils, greases, hydraulic fluids, chemicals. | Ozone (except PVC blends), ketones, esters, aldehydes, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons. |
| Butyl | IIR | Isobutene-isoprene | -20 to 250 | Very good weather resistance. Excellent dielectric properties. Low permeability to air. Good physical properties. | Animal and vegetable fats, oils, greases, ozone, strong and oxidizing chemicals. | Petroleum, solvents, coal tar solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons. |
| Carboxylated Nitrile | XNBR | Carboxylated Nitrile | -20 to 250 | Excellent abrasion and tear resistance. Fair ozone and steam resistance. Poor to fair sunlight and outdoors. Good to excellent oil resistance. | Many hydrocarbons, fats, oils, greases, hydraulic fluids, chemicals. | Ozone (except PVC blends), ketones, esters, aldehydes, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons. |
| EPDM | EPDMN, EPM | Ethylene-propylene-diene Ethylene-propylene | -40 to 300 | Excellent ozone, chemical, and aging resistance. Poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids. | Animal and vegetable oils, ozone, strong and oxidizing chemicals. | Mineral oils and solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons. |
| Fluoro-silicone | Fsi | Fluorocarbon | -60 to 350 | Offers superior heat resistance, resistant to cold, oils and solvents of fluorinated rubber. Good for special applications where general resistance to oxidizing chemicals, aromatic and chlorinated solvent bases are required. Narrower telp range than silicone but better fluid resistance. | Moderate or oxidizing chemicals, ozone, aromatic chlorinated solvents, bases. | Brake fluids, hydrazine, ketones. |
| Hydrogenated Nitrile | HNBR | Hydrogenated Acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber | -22 to 300 | Excellent heat and oil resistance, improved fuel and ozone resistance (approx 5x) over Nitrile. Good abrasion resistance. Decreased elasticity at low temperatures with hydrogenation over standard nitrile. | Many hydrocarbons, transmission fluids, refrigerants, diluted acids, hydraulic fluids, silicone oils, vegetable and animal fats and oils, water and steam. | Chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, strong acids. |
| Hypalon | CSM | Chloro-sulfonyl-polyethylene | -60 to 320 | Excellent ozone, weathering, and acid resistance. Good abrasion and heat resistance. Fair resistance to petroleum-based fluids. | Similar to Neoprene with improved acid resistance. | Concentrated oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic, and nitro hydrocarbons. |
| Natural, Gum Rubber | NR | Isoprene, natural | -60 to 220 | Excellent physical properties including abrasion and low temperature resistance. Poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids. | Most moderate chemicals, wet or dry, organic acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes. | Ozone, strong acids, fats, oils, greases, most hydrocarbons. |
| Neoprene | CR | Chloroprene | -30 to 212 | Good weathering resistance, flame retarding, moderate resistance to petroleum-based fluids | Moderate chemicals and acids, ozone, oils, fats, greases, solvents | Strong oxidizing acids, esters, ketones, chlorinated, aromatic, and nitro hydrocarbons |
| SBR (Red Rubber) | SBR | Styrene-butadiene | -20 to 212 | Good physical properties and abrasion resistance. Poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids. | Most moderate chemicals, wet or dry, organic acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes. | Ozone, strong acids, fats, oils, greases, most hydrocarbons. |
| Silicone | Q, Si | Polysiloxane | -80 to 420 | Excellent high and low temperature properties. Fair physical properties. | Moderate or oxidizing chemicals, ozone, concentrated sodium hydroxide. | Many solvents, oils, concentrated acids, dilute sodium hydroxide. |
| Urethane | AU, EU | Polyethelene-apdate, Poly (oxy-1, 4, butylene) ether | -40 to 175 | Good aging and excellent abrasion, tear, and solvent resistance. Poor high temperature properties. | Ozone, hydrocarbons, moderate chemicals, fats, oils, greases | Concentrated acids, ketones, esters, chlorinated and nitro hydrocarbons |
| Viton (tm), Fluoroelastomer | FPM | Hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride | -10 to 400 | Excellent oil & air resistance both at high and low temperatures. Very good chemical resistance. | All aliphatic, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, acids, animal oils, vegetable oils | Ketones, low molecular weight esters and nitro containing compounds. |
