A neoprene rubber gasket is one of the most common types of rubber gaskets because of the numerous and overall useful properties of this material. A synthetic rubber, neoprene was developed in the 1930’s by DuPont scientists of the DuPont laboratories as a general purpose compound that was elastic, water proof, and moderately resistant to chemicals. Dubbed the “best and final” of synthetic rubbers, neoprene’s vast array of benefits has been used to almost every application. From wetsuits to laboratory equipment protectors, neoprene gasket material is one of the most common types of gaskets because of its ability to cope with harsh environments at affordable costs. Gaskets, however, are not only created from rubber, but many are also made from metal. Although metal is a very durable material with excellent temperature, one very large downfall of metal gaskets is that they are ineffective for most mediums. Due to the hardness of metal, these gaskets can only be used with materials that are harder than metal or else the gasket will not compress adequately to create an air tight seal. Rubber gasket sheets, however, are a softer compound that can create air tight seals with a large myriad of mediums because rubber does not need as much pressure to compress as metal. Rubber was not made to replace metal parts, rather to help save metallic parts that may come together in machinery and industry.

Made from a blend of Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) and CR, Neoprene is a manmade synthetic rubber designed to withstand chemicals well. With excellent resistance to hydrogen gas, natural gas, salt/sea water, acetic acids, oils and more, a neoprene rubber gasket is often used to protect laboratory equipment and other chemical resistant applications. Neoprene also creates flexible rubber gasketing to fit a larger amount of surfaces than other gaskets. Due to its synthetic nature, Neoprene is also able to withstand extreme temperatures while retaining its elastic and durable properties. Both resistant to oils and able to withstand high temperatures for extended periods of time, neoprene gaskets are usually preferred for large engines, such as cars, trucks, and airplanes.

Not only resistant to chemicals, Neoprene is also waterproof, making it the ideal material for rubber water seals. While most rubber gasket sheets are water resistant, Neoprene is one of the best suited for water applications. Flexible and durable, these rubber water seals are perfect because they create air tight seals for underwater drainage systems containing hazardous materials. This will ensure that there are no leakages, without any worry that they will break down due to their ability to resist chemicals and water. Neoprene is also not a dense material and weighs approximately 1 ¼ pounds per 1/8” in standard durometer of 60. Neoprene gasket material will not add a large amount of extra weight onto products, this make this rubber part a good fit for weight-conscious applications.

From space shuttles to underwater pipe systems, Neoprene is truly a general purpose rubber. It can be used for countless applications because its broad range of resistances. These flexible rubber gasketing provide the perfect solution for any gasketing needs because they are able to withstand extremely high temperatures, are chemically resistant against a large multitude of oils and greases, and are waterproof for any underwater applications. The elasticity and flexibility of neoprene also allow for a more malleable seal between imperfect surfaces than many other rubbers. With an unending list of benefits, neoprene gasket material is one of the most versatile and most common rubber sheets used for gaskets.