Rubber Sheets for Gaskets and Industrial Sealing
International Seal supplies industrial and specialist rubber sheeting in NBR, EPDM, FKM, Silicone, HNBR and FFKM for gasket manufacture, sealing applications and engineered components. Our elastomer sheet range supports applications requiring resistance to oils, fuels, chemicals, elevated temperatures, weathering and demanding operating environments. We supply standard and specialist material grades to distributors, OEMs and industrial customers throughout the UK and Europe.
With access to an established international supply network, we can support a wide variety of material specifications, thicknesses, hardnesses and application requirements.
Rubber Sheeting Materials
International Seal supplies six principal elastomer material families, each offering different physical properties, chemical resistance and temperature capabilities.
Our range covers conventional industrial applications through to specialist sealing environments where material selection and long-term performance are critical.
Nitrile rubber (NBR) offers good resistance to mineral oils, lubricants, fuels and hydraulic fluids, making it a widely specified material for industrial sealing applications.
Silicone rubber offers excellent flexibility across a broad operating temperature range, with specialist formulations available for applications requiring particular purity or compliance characteristics.
EPDM rubber provides excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, water and environmental ageing. Suitable formulations also offer resistance to hot water and steam.
Hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) provides improved heat, oxidation and mechanical performance compared with conventional NBR, while retaining good resistance to many oils and industrial fluids.
FKM fluoroelastomer provides excellent resistance to elevated temperatures, oils, fuels and many aggressive chemical media. Offering a strong resistance to thermal ageing.
Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) provides exceptional chemical resistance and high-temperature capability, making it suitable for particularly demanding sealing environments. Offering a strong resistance to thermal ageing.
Industrial Rubber Sheeting
Rubber sheeting is used extensively in industrial sealing and engineering applications where a flexible, resilient material is required to provide a seal, protect components or accommodate movement and compression.
Manufactured in flat sheet or roll form, elastomer materials can be converted into gaskets, washers, strips, protective pads and custom-shaped components. The appropriate material depends on the operating environment, including chemical exposure, temperature, pressure, mechanical loading and required service life.
International Seal supports both standard rubber sheet requirements and specialist applications where material performance or specification is critical.
Selecting Rubber Gasket Material
Different rubber compounds offer significantly different resistance to oils, fuels, water, chemicals and temperature. Therefore, selecting the correct elastomer is essential for reliable performance and avoiding premature material failure.
| Material | Key Properties | Typical Applications | Material Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBR | Good resistance to mineral oils, fuels and lubricants. | Industrial gaskets, hydraulic systems, machinery and oil-handling equipment. | Limited resistance to ozone, weathering and certain chemicals. |
| EPDM | Excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, water and steam in suitable grades. | Water treatment, process equipment, outdoor installations and industrial gaskets. | Generally unsuitable for mineral oils and hydrocarbon fuels. |
| FKM | High-temperature capability and excellent resistance to many oils, fuels and chemicals. | Chemical processing, aerospace, automotive and oil and gas applications. | Compatibility with hot water, steam, amines and ketones is grade-dependent. |
| Silicone | Excellent flexibility across a broad temperature range, with specialist grades available. | Food processing, medical equipment, electrical and temperature-sensitive applications. | Generally lower abrasion and tear resistance than many industrial elastomers. |
| HNBR | Good oil resistance with improved heat, oxidation and mechanical performance compared with NBR. | Automotive, oil and gas, industrial machinery and demanding sealing applications. | Material performance and chemical compatibility depend on the formulation. |
| FFKM | Exceptional chemical resistance and high-temperature capability in suitable grades. | Semiconductor, pharmaceutical, chemical processing and critical sealing applications. | Premium specialist material with grade-specific availability and temperature limits. |
Material characteristics vary according to the individual compound formulation and operating conditions.
For additional technical information, visit our Elastomer Temperature Range Guide and Chemical Compatibility Guide.
Rubber Sheeting for Gasket Manufacture
Rubber sheet is widely used for manufacturing flat gaskets and sealing components across industrial and process equipment. Sheet material can be cut or converted into components with standard or non-standard profiles, making it suitable for applications where a dedicated mould is unnecessary.
For example, rubber sheeting can be converted into:
- Flange gaskets and jointing components
- Flat washers and sealing rings
- Equipment and inspection-cover gaskets
- Rubber strips and protective pads
- Custom-cut seals and fabricated components
The required elastomer, hardness and thickness should be selected according to the sealing conditions and equipment design. For components requiring complex profiles, varying wall thicknesses or moulded sealing features, International Seal can also support custom moulded rubber components.
Specialist Rubber Sheeting Grades
Industrial applications frequently require more than a general-purpose rubber compound. International Seal can support specialist elastomer sheet requirements where a particular material grade, hardness, temperature capability or chemical resistance is specified.
Depending on the material family and available formulation, requirements may include:
- Specialist chemical-resistant compounds
- High-temperature or low-temperature grades
- Specific Shore A hardness values
- Material colour requirements
- Food-contact compliant elastomers
- Medical and pharmaceutical application grades
- Customer-defined material specifications
- Material certification and technical documentation
However, compliance and material properties are specific to the individual formulation and should be confirmed before ordering. Our team can review existing material specifications or discuss suitable alternatives where an existing compound is unavailable.
Rubber Sheet Thickness, Hardness and Dimensions
Rubber sheeting can be specified according to the material properties and dimensions required for the application. Thickness, hardness and sheet dimensions can influence gasket performance, compression characteristics, mechanical resistance and manufacturing suitability. In addition, International Seal can review requirements for different sheet formats and specialist material specifications, subject to manufacturing availability.
When requesting a quotation, please provide:
- Material (NBR, EPDM, FKM, silicone, HNBR or FFKM), or an IS compound code
- Hardness (Shore A)
- Thickness
- Sheet size, or roll width and length
- Colour, if specified
- Any approvals required (e.g. FDA, WRAS, EC 1935/2004)
- Quantity (sheets, rolls or m²)
- Sheet only or cut gaskets (attach a drawing or DXF if cut)
Industrial Applications for Rubber Sheeting
Our rubber sheet materials support a broad range of industrial sectors where reliable sealing performance and material compatibility are essential.
Aerospace & Defence
Specialist elastomers including FKM, HNBR and Silicone for engineered applications involving temperature variation, oils, fuels and demanding operating environments.
Automotive
NBR, HNBR, FKM and Silicone materials for gaskets and components exposed to automotive fluids, lubricants and elevated temperatures.
Food & Beverage
Suitable grades of EPDM, Silicone, NBR and FKM for process equipment and gasket applications requiring appropriate food-contact material compliance.
Chemical Processing
FKM, EPDM and FFKM materials selected according to chemical exposure, operating temperature and process conditions.
Oil & Gas
NBR, HNBR, FKM and specialist elastomers for equipment involving hydrocarbons, lubricants and demanding sealing conditions.
Medical & Pharmaceutical
Specialist Silicone, EPDM, FKM and FFKM materials for applications requiring defined purity, compatibility or material compliance characteristics.
Semiconductor
High-performance FKM and FFKM materials for demanding chemical processing and equipment applications.
Why Choose International Seal?
International Seal supplies engineered sealing materials to distributors, OEMs and industrial customers across the UK and Europe. We combine technical material knowledge with an established international sourcing network to support both standard and specialist requirements.
Extensive Material Range
NBR, EPDM, FKM, Silicone, HNBR and FFKM rubber sheeting covering a broad range of industrial applications.
Specialist Material Sourcing
Access to specialist compounds and elastomer grades where particular performance characteristics or material specifications are required.
Competitive Supply
Established international supplier relationships enabling competitive quotations for standard and specialist rubber sheet requirements.
Technical Support
Assistance with material selection and specification based on chemical compatibility, operating temperature and application requirements.
Custom Component Supply
Support for rubber sheet requirements alongside custom gaskets, seals and moulded elastomer components.
Rubber Sheets for Gaskets FAQs
What types of rubber sheeting are available?
International Seal supplies NBR, EPDM, FKM, Silicone, HNBR and FFKM rubber sheeting. Available hardnesses, thicknesses, sheet sizes and specialist grades depend on the material and individual manufacturing requirements.
What is the difference between rubber sheeting and elastomer sheeting?
The terms are often used interchangeably in industrial applications. Rubber sheeting is the more common commercial description, while elastomer sheeting is a technical term for flexible polymer materials with rubber-like properties.
Which rubber sheet is best for oil resistance?
NBR is commonly used for applications involving mineral oils and lubricants. HNBR and FKM may offer improved performance where higher temperatures or more demanding operating conditions are present. Material selection should be based on the specific fluid and application.
Which rubber sheet is suitable for high temperatures?
Silicone, FKM and FFKM can provide elevated-temperature performance depending on the compound formulation. HNBR may also be suitable for certain higher-temperature oil-resistant applications
Can rubber sheeting be used to manufacture gaskets?
Yes. Rubber sheeting is commonly converted into flat gaskets, washers, sealing rings and other fabricated components. Material type, thickness and hardness should be selected according to the sealing requirements.
Can you supply food-grade rubber sheet?
Suitable food-contact grades may be available in materials including Silicone, EPDM, NBR and FKM. Compliance must be confirmed for the specific formulation and applicable food-contact requirements.
Can you supply specialist rubber sheet materials?
Yes. International Seal can review requirements involving specialist elastomers, compound specifications, hardnesses, temperature capabilities, chemical resistance and material documentation, subject to availability.
How do I choose the correct rubber sheet material?
Material selection depends on the operating temperature, chemicals or fluids involved, environmental exposure, mechanical requirements and any applicable compliance standards.
If you are unsure which elastomer is suitable, provide the operating conditions and application details for review.
Need Rubber Sheeting?
International Seal supplies industrial and specialist rubber sheeting in NBR, EPDM, FKM, Silicone, HNBR and FFKM. Whether you require rubber sheet for gasket manufacture, sealing applications or specialist engineering use, we can review your material and dimensional requirements. Send us your specification, drawing, material reference or required quantities and our team will provide a quotation.