Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are just as essential to gasket performance as choosing the right foam material. Selecting the best adhesive requires a full understanding of your application — including temperature range, surface energy, bonding environment, and the method of application.

The right adhesive can extend gasket lifespan, improve performance, and even simplify assembly. Here are five key considerations to help you make the best adhesive choice. 

Five factors for choosing the right gasket tape 

1. Temperature exposure 

One of the first considerations to think about in selecting an adhesive for custom gaskets is to establish the temperature range it will be exposed to. 

First, it is important to think about both the external and internal temperatures the adhesive will be experiencing on a day-to-day basis. This would include any potential outdoor weather extremes, as well as the internal temperature of the application, that the gasket would be exposed to. 

• Acrylic adhesives typically offer excellent high-temperature resistance (often up to 350°F), making them ideal for demanding environments. 
• Rubber-based adhesives are suitable for short-term bonding and lower temperatures but may degrade under sustained heat exposure.

2. Surface and substrate condition

To select a proper adhesive, considerations need to be made on the different substrates that will be attached to each other.

The first step is to analyze the properties of the substrate that may affect adhesion. Substrates can be rigid, flexible, smooth, coated with a certain chemical or material, and everything in between. These variables can all influence how well the adhesive performs.

Next, it’s important to account for the type of substrate itself. Metals, coppers, foams, polycarbonates, and a host of other materials can all be found in or around a gasket, so picking an adhesive that performs well with the surrounding materials it will encounter is an important aspect.

3. Method of application

Determining exactly how the adhesive will be applied to the custom gasket system can easily narrow down viable adhesive options.

If the adhesive will be applied by hand, there can be roadblocks to certain methods of application. Would it be feasible to use tape? Maybe a spray adhesive or liquid bonding agents are more practical? If the adhesive will be applied by an automatic process, maybe there is only a handful of feasible adhesive options during production.

Deciding the best means to apply the adhesive will narrow your options. 

Die-cut adhesive transfer tapes are often preferred for automated assembly or kiss-cut applications, while spray or brush-on adhesives might be better suited for large surface areas in prototype or low-volume production.

4. Environment of the application

Going almost hand-in-hand with temperature considerations when choosing a gasket adhesive are the environmental factors. Some of the most important to be aware of are:

• Chemical resistance: There is a possibility that the adhesives used in a gasket system could be exposed to the fluids or chemicals that the gasket will be holding in. Are they corrosive or toxic? Certain chemical resistances should be factored in when deciding on a proper adhesive if there is potential for exposure.
• UV: Consistent exposure to UV rays can easily compromise any exposed adhesives that do not have adequate UV resistance.
• Moisture: Moisture from either internal or external sources can come in contact with adhesives in a gasket system and could potentially compromise the seal.
• Function: Will the gasket be static throughout its lifetime? Or will it be exposed to movement and/or vibration? This will be an important factor when selecting a proper adhesive because if movement and vibration are present on a day-to-day basis, specific adhesives will need to be used.

For high humidity or outdoor use, opt for UV- and water-resistant acrylic adhesives like those found in 3M™ VHB™ tape. Silicone adhesives are excellent in chemically aggressive or high-temp environments.

5. Compressional forces

In applications with continuous compressive cycling or vibration, adhesives must maintain bond integrity without slipping, shearing, or degrading. Use adhesives with tested dynamic load performance and shear strength, such as structural bonding solutions from the 3M™ VHB™ tape family.

Let us help you pick the best adhesive for your gasket 

Deciding on a proper adhesive for your custom gasket can be a complicated process. Whether you have questions about adhesives used in the gasket system or questions about the gasket itself, we can work with you to find a solution that fits your needs perfectly. SRP is proud to be a Preferred Converter for 3M™ Adhesives and Tapes.

Got a project in mind? Download your specifications in our online form and we’ll get you a fast, accurate quote. 

Neoprene is a versatile material used across a wide range of industries and applications. As a cost-effective and reliable gasket material, neoprene offers a unique balance of performance, resilience, and environmental resistance. 

Here’s an overview of the key properties that make it a strong choice for gasket applications.

Solid Neoprene vs. Neoprene Sponge

The first order of business when understanding Neoprene and its applications is knowing the differences between between solid neoprene and neoprene sponge.

Solid neoprene is dense and compact making it more durable and tear-resistant than neoprene sponge, perfect for high-wear applications where strength and resilience are required. 

Neoprene sponge is a foam-like version of neoprene – and it’s our specialty type here at SRP. 

Neoprene sponge is much softer than solid and easily compressible, making it a perfect option for sealing applications. Neoprene sponge also excels at vibration and sound insulation.

Whether a project calls for solid neoprene or neoprene sponge, one of the biggest advantages is the material’s natural resistance to a wide variety of environmental conditions that the gasket may be exposed to. 

Both exhibit similar properties with only slight variations, which we will explore below.

Weather & UV resistance 

Neoprene is extremely suitable for outdoor environments due to the material’s low oxidation rate. This means, of course, that water and other non-toxic liquids have very little effect on the material’s degradation in the long run.

In addition to water resistance, neoprene is also a highly-rated material in its defense against sunlight and UV damage. 

Most grades of neoprene perform reliably between -20°F and 200°F, with some specialty formulations tolerating short-term exposure up to 275°F. 

While it is best to not push the material to its extremes, this temperature range shows that neoprene is an extremely versatile material for nearly any outdoor condition imaginable.

Compression and sealing performance 

Neoprene sponge is soft and compressible, ideal for sealing, cushioning, and insulating applications — but solid neoprene provides superior tear resistance and durability for high-impact environments. 

Neoprene sponge compresses easily to create tight seals, while both sponge and solid grades offer low compression set — meaning they recover well and maintain sealing integrity over time. 

Solid neoprene resists compression more than neoprene sponge, which conforms more easily to surfaces for effective sealing.

Chemical and oil resistance

Neoprene naturally resists petroleum-based substances including oils and greases. It also has moderate resistance to some acids and bases, but it’s best to test for compatibility with harsh or highly concentrated chemicals

Cushioning and vibration control 

The material can easily be customized to fit perfectly between components, providing a reliable but flexible seal. 

Neoprene is available in a range of hardness levels, typically between 40 and 80 Shore A on the durometer scale. Softer grades are ideal for conformability and sealing, while harder grades provide better structural support and durability.

When Neoprene isn’t the best gasket material? 

While neoprene offers great all-around performance, it may not be the best choice in environments involving high concentrations of corrosive chemicals or extreme heat. In those cases, materials like EPDM or silicone may provide better performance. 

SRP is your premier resource for custom Neoprene gaskets 

Neoprene is a great option for gaskets due to its multiple resistances, the cushioning and protection it provides, the lightweight properties, and ease of use and installation.

At SRP, we custom design gaskets and seals using a variety of materials for customers in many industries. We’re proud to say we’ve been serving our customers for more than 70 years. We work with a variety of industries: electronics, industrial, automotive, medical, HVAC, lighting, and more.

Our dedicated team of material specialists is ready to assist you with your next project and provide you with the expertise and quality materials for parts and components that meet your exact specifications.

SRP is also a 3M™ Preferred Converter. When you’re looking for the best peel-and-stick backing for your custom die-cut neoprene gasket, our unmatched technical expertise will guide you to the best choice.

Contact us today with your requirements for a fast, accurate quote. 

When deciding on a custom gasket for your product, there are a number of factors that must be examined before placing an order. Any misstep in the design and consideration process, no matter how small, can result in severe problems and even system failures down the line.

To ensure a proper seal that stands up to any condition, a technical review of your chosen material is critical before making the final selection.

Below, we’ll dive into five key considerations for your custom gasket materials, and why they matter.

5 Variables to Consider Before Choosing a Gasket Material

Choosing a gasket material boils down to considering how the gasket will be used and the conditions it needs to stand up to.

1. Temperature

Temperature is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding on a custom gasket. There are two main areas to focus on. 

• Internal and external temperatures: This includes things like the weather and any outdoor temperature extremes, but also the internal temperature and makeup of the device itself. That includes not only outdoor conditions, but also what the gasket is containing or protecting inside the system.
• Heat resistance rating: Let your temperature findings help you narrow your selection of gasket material for the application. Certain materials have a limited temperature range, or only excel on the high or low end of the temperature spectrum. Knowing the overall heat resistance of the gasket material is crucial.

Which gasket materials are the most heat resistant? 

For high-temperature applications, silicone rubber is often a top choice due to its ability to withstand continuous exposure up to 450°F (232°C). 

For lower-temperature or more cost-sensitive applications, EPDM and neoprene are reliable options with excellent resistance down to -40°F (-40°C).

2. Environment

Factoring in environmental stressors does include temperature, but there are more noteworthy variables than just heat and cold. Some of the most important to be aware of are:

• Chemical resistance: Think about the fluids that the gasket will be holding in. Are they corrosive or toxic? Are there any external chemical risks? These factors can drastically impact the longevity of the gasket.
• UV: Consistent exposure to UV rays can quickly compromise a gasket.
• Moisture: Moisture from either internal or external sources can cause some gasket materials to corrode and deteriorate.
• Function: Will the gasket be static throughout its lifetime? Or will it be exposed to movement and/or vibration?

Materials like EPDM are ideal in outdoor environments because of their excellent resistance to ozone, UV exposure and water absorption.

 In contrast, neoprene offers moderate chemical and oil resistance, making it useful in industrial and automotive settings.

For further reading: EPDM vs Neoprene: Which synthetic rubber is best for your gasket?

3. Compression set

Compression set refers to a gasket’s ability to return to form after being exposed to a high compressional force. This is a crucial variable because, over time, gaskets that are exposed to force and have a minimal ability to return to form (otherwise referred to as a high compression set) can result in gaps or leaks.

If your gasket will be exposed to compressional force, considering gasket materials that can easily return to form (or, those with a low compression set) is an important variable to reduce the possibility of operational failure.

Materials like PORON® polyurethane are known for their low compression set, making them ideal for long-term sealing in dynamic applications.

4. Durometer

Simply put, the durometer reading is used to determine the hardness or softness of a given gasket.

While softer materials tend to have a higher compression set, it’s important to note that compression set and durometer are distinct properties. Two materials with the same durometer can perform very differently depending on their formulation.

The durometer scale is referred to as a “shore” number, and ranges on a scale from 0-100. Softer gasket materials will register closer to “0”, while harder materials will register closer to “100”.

It is important to pick a gasket material that is soft enough to adequately create a seal between two joints, yet hard enough to be minimally affected by compressional force.

For example, softer gaskets like BISCO silicone foam (30–40 Shore A) provide easy conformability for irregular surfaces, while denser materials like solid rubber (70–90 Shore A) hold up better in high-pressure applications.

5. Industry and product standards

No matter what industry you are working in — be it automotive, aerospace, military, pharmaceutical or otherwise — there are standards and requirements for the material of your gasket. Making sure you decide on a gasket that adequately fits your project needs, while also remaining in compliance with your industry, can be a tricky process.

Depending on your industry, you may need materials that meet UL 94 flame ratings or RoHS directives.

Let us help you build a better gasket 

Let the experts at SRP help you select the right gasket material. Whether you need high-temperature performance, chemical resistance, or long-term durability, we’ll help you make the best call.

Got a project in mind? Download your specifications in our online form and we’ll get you a fast, accurate quote. 

At SRP, our processes are built on quality and efficiency. Through our design review, intelligent solutions for your toughest challenges and efficient design for manufacturing, you get top-quality gaskets at the best value.

In the following, we’ll show you how SRP meets these objectives from start to finish.

Step 1. CAD file review

All projects begin with reviewing your design in a CAD file. After reviewing your inputs – dimensions and specifications – we’ll determine if we have everything needed to proceed with the project. Our team can convert your design into one of our desired formats. SRP also provides in-house design adjustments as part of our services, so if something changes along the way, we have it covered.

SRP preferred CAD formats: DXF, PDF, DWG, STEP

Step 2. Material Selection

SRP is your trusted resource for identifying the best materials for the job. Our decades of experience and up-to-date technical training with top brands means you don’t have to worry about wasting money and material on gaskets that won’t work.

• Solutions: Can’t find what you need? When you’re faced with tight supplies, proprietary products and out-of-production materials, SRP will search for alternative materials that meet the performance standards.
• Value: The SRP team is skilled at flagging over-spec’d projects and recommending more economic options. As an independent business, we get it: finding cost savings can make a big difference for your profits.

Read: Acrylic vs. silicone thermal gap pads: Are you over spec’d?

Step 3. Design for manufacturing

In our design for manufacturing your gasket, we’re working to identify the fabrication process that gets the highest yield of usable gaskets at the lowest cost. We consider multiple factors: design, materials, volume, specifications, production speed and format.

Tolerance review: At this stage, we may flag the tolerance requirements to protect your yields and costs. Because all too often, a design comes in the door with the tight requirements you’d expect for a metal fabrication project. However, rubber and foam gaskets can often get by with looser requirements that account for the stretching and movement during production. We’ll work with you to find a tolerance range that suits the material and stays inside your quality requirements.

Read: Mind the tolerance: The less obvious way to save time and money on custom gaskets

Step 4. Material acquisition

SRP has preferred partnerships with the industry’s top brands of adhesive, foams, rubber and silicone including 3M^™ and Rogers Corporation. You can count on the quality because we source everything directly from the manufacturer. Our partnership allows us to provide you with multiple advantages, including priority delivery and the best prices.

Step 5. Fabrication

SRP is an independent business with a focus on making quality projects for our customers. We’re always looking for tech updates and process changes to boost efficiency. When you call us for updates and adjustments, you can get answers immediately because SRP keeps everything in-house.

Step 6. Shipping

Once your order is finished, we’ll package and ship it to your requirements. If you have special requests for packaging and labeling, all you have to do is ask.

Problem solving, top quality and value: That’s the SRP way

SRP has created a frictionless process to making gaskets that’s focused on finding solutions and maximizing value.

Get started on your custom gasket and request a quote today.

Electrical enclosure gaskets play a critical role in protecting internal components from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, UV exposure and temperature fluctuations. 

A properly selected gasket material ensures a tight, lasting seal for both indoor and outdoor enclosures — helping the unit maintain performance throughout its intended lifespan.

What are the Risks of an Underperforming Electrical Enclosure Gasket? 

Select the wrong material and your electronic enclosure gasket will fail or underperform – which can be disastrous or deadly to end users. A few common risks include:

Unexpected Costs: Underperforming or fully compromised gaskets can cause damaged electronic components in an electrical enclosure. This can result in not only the cost of replacement, but the maintenance associated with replacing and monitoring newly installed equipment.

System Failures: Underperforming seals can result in damage to nearby electrical components, which can cause system failures and other potentially catastrophic problems for your application and overall operations.

Quality Gaps: Compromised gaskets and underperforming seals can result in quality concerns from enclosure manufacturers.

Performance Requirements for Electrical Enclosure Gasket

One of the most important aspects of an electrical enclosure gasket is ensuring the gasket passes specific application requirements. Most electrical enclosures must meet environmental protection standards such as UL 50/50E, NEMA type ratings or IEC IP (Ingress Protection) codes. The gasket material is critical to achieving compliance. 

To pass these inspections, consider the following variables:

Temperature: What temperature range will the enclosure gasket be exposed to? It is important to consider both the external temperature conditions as well as the potential internal temperature range.

Location: Will the application be in an indoor or outdoor environment? Of course, an outdoor electrical box gasket will experience more demanding conditions than an indoor electrical box.

UV Resistance: Will the enclosure gasket be exposed to UV rays? An oft-overlooked aspect, UV rays have the potential to deteriorate enclosure gaskets at a much quicker rate.

Flame Resistance: Will the enclosure gasket come in close contact with flames or other extreme heat sources? If so, considerations about proper flame rating will be important.

Outgassing: Outgassing is a common problem related to plastics, rubbers and other elastomers in which gasses get released from these solid materials. Outgassing from gasket materials — especially those made of certain foams or elastomers — can deposit residue or contaminants on sensitive electronics. For enclosures with optics, sensors or tightly sealed electronics, low-outgassing materials like PORON or BISCO are preferred. 

Gap Spacing: Take into consideration the area that needs to be filled by the gasket. Different areas and compression set needs can influence the type of gasket used in the application.

Gasket Function: Consider the main requirements of the gasket itself. What is it protecting against? Air, liquid and vibration are all common, and determining the most important variable is a crucial step when deciding on a gasket and an electrical enclosure.

Material Selection for Custom Electrical Enclosure Gaskets

Once performance requirements are clearly defined, selecting the right gasket material becomes easier. The goal is to strike the right balance between functionality, durability and cost-effectiveness. Be cautious, as some materials may exceed your application’s requirements and inflate costs unnecessarily.

Common materials used for custom electrical enclosure gaskets include:

Closed Cell Sponge Rubber: Closed-cell sponge rubbers like neoprene and EPDM offer strong resistance to weather, moderate chemicals, and temperature fluctuations, along with good sealing performance under compression

Cellular Urethane: Cellular urethane offers flexibility and durability but is not suitable for high-temperature or flame-critical applications. 

Polyethylene: Polyethylene foam is lightweight and chemically resistant, ideal for low-closure-force applications where long-term compression set resistance is not critical. 

PORON Polyurethane: PORON Polyurethane is a flexible material boasting an excellent compression set, chemical resistance and low-outgassing properties. This material is very easy to fabricate and die-cut, offering numerous varieties of thicknesses and applications.

BISCO Silicone: BISCO silicone is a fantastic option for durability. This material is resistant to temperature, UV and ozone, while also meeting the most stringent UL flame ratings.

All materials can be supplied backed with a pressure sensitive adhesive to create adhesive backed gaskets. SRP is a 3M™ Preferred Converter. When you’re looking for the best peel-and-stick backing for your custom die-cut electrical enclosure gasket, our technical expertise will guide you to the best choice.

SRP Can Help With Your Next Project

Since 1951, SRP has been a trusted custom gasket manufacturer for the industrial, electronic, HVAC, and telecommunications industries. 

Our experts can help you identify the right enclosure gasket solution — optimized for performance, cost and compliance. Get started by filling out our online form or giving us a call. You’ll hear back within a business day. 

Die-cut PORON polyurethane foam is an excellent material for gasket design because it has an excellent compression set resistance, while also working well with pressure-sensitive adhesives.

PORON can compress to more than half its thickness without losing memory, which makes it a long-lasting, effective seal in many applications. 

PORON polyurethane has a reputation for maintaining its compression set for the life of the product. When it comes to demanding applications, like battery pads, electronic enclosures and HVAC gaskets, PORON is a highly reliable option to guard your product against leaks and other causes of gasket failure.

Though a material like PORON has a sterling reputation for its compression set resistance, it’s critical to analyze the application to prevent gasket failure. Choosing the wrong foam density, hardness and thickness can lead to precisely that.

In the following, we’ll explain the compression set and how PORON polyurethane can help you minimize it.

What is compression set?

Compression set measures an elastomeric material’s ability to return to its original thickness after exposure to compression and high temperature for a specific amount of time.

Compression set — sometimes called permanent set — refers to the extent to which a material fails to return to its original thickness after being compressed for a specified time and temperature. 

For further reading, check out our blog, Preventing Gasket Failure: Solutions for Compression Set in Die-Cut Gaskets. 

Why does compression set matter?

When choosing the right material for gaskets, sealing and cushioning, factoring compression set is critical. But it’s also important to know how long the materials can stand up to squeeze. Will it require frequent replacement, or will it last for the life of the product? 

In time, a loss of resiliency (or memory) can result in leaks or inability to absorb shock. The material’s long-term compression set resistance can be the difference between a successful product and a failed product.

When calculating compression set, you’re measuring resiliency – what percentage of thickness does it recover after compression? 

Compression set is expressed as a percentage — from 0% (ideal recovery) to 100% (no recovery). Most elastomeric materials fall within a much narrower performance range, and lower percentages indicate better compression set resistance. 

What causes compression set?

When the compression set of your elastomeric material is higher than expected, there may be underlying causes where the conditions exceed what the material can handle. For example:

• Temperature: Excessively high heat that leads to hardening and resiliency loss.
• Compression: Excessive squeezing (for example, over-tightening).
• Fluid: Material is incompatible with the fluids it’s exposed to.

While considering these, consulting with an experienced fabricator of elastomeric materials can help you avoid these issues.

What are the results of prolonged compression? 

Compression of the elastomeric material creates a seal protecting components from dust, dirt, moisture as well as solvents and chemicals. While most elastomeric materials can achieve a low compression rating, compression set gives you an indication of the life of the seal.

To maintain a good seal, you need a material that resists or bounces back from prolonged compression. 

However, prolonged compression can cause an elastomeric material to lose height. Compression creep — a loss of thickness under constant load and pressure over time — can contribute to long-term sealing issues. 

It’s important to understand that compression creep is not always part of basic compression set testing, which is an important consideration in your gasket design.  

Benefit of using PORON to achieve compression set resistance

PORON offers compression set resistance comparable to silicone. Its advantage? It excels in mechanical strength and cushioning for gasketing applications that don’t require extreme temperature or chemical resistance. 

Choosing PORON: Density, thickness and hardness

Even though PORON is resistant to compression set, it’s still important to choose the appropriate density and hardness for your application. To guide you, PORON provides a Compression Force Deflection (CFD) Curve Tool that shows how the material performs in specific applications.

Adhesive-backed PORON solutions

SRP is proud to be one of 60 Preferred Converters for Rogers Corporation materials. Once you have your data and your selection of PORON materials narrowed, our technical experts can help you finalize your choice.

SRP is also a 3M™ Preferred Converter. When you’re looking for the best peel-and-stick pressure sensitive adhesive backing for your custom die-cut PORON gasket, our unmatched technical expertise will guide you to the best choice. 

Send us your design and requirements through this online form or calling us at 847-593-5630. We’ll deliver a fast accurate quote within one business day. 

Determining the tolerance range is a key step in completing your custom gasket order. By defining the tolerance of your custom-cut flexible material, you’re establishing how much the die cuts can stray from the base measurement – without affecting fit and performance. But an expensive mistake product designers and engineers make is requesting a tighter than necessary tolerance range. 

The following guide will help you avoid this mistake. 

The hidden cost of overly tight tolerance ranges 

At the design stage, it’s common for an engineer to indicate the tightest and narrowest tolerance range the material is capable of. They might make that call based on technical data provided by the material manufacturer. Occasionally, design software inserts this narrow range by default.

Choosing the tightest range can seem like the best route to a high-quality gasket that delivers the best possible performance. After all, you do want to make a great impression on your team.

But that level of control isn’t always needed. More often than not, you can relax the range with no effect on the quality and performance of the gasket. It’s always best to take a moment to find the range that meets the needs of the conditions and application. Making that determination depends on factors like gasketing materials, die-cutting method and the end use. 

Bottom line, it’s not always critical to use the tightest tolerance on every custom gasket order. Doing so without considering other options can raise costs and delay delivery.

Outcomes from using too-tight tolerance ranges:

• Higher scrap rate of finished products that fall outside the tight range.
• Higher material costs to make up for rework and scrapped products.
• More frequent changeovers and stoppages for inspections, tooling adjustments and adding material. 

Now that you know that defaulting to the narrowest possible tolerance range can add unnecessary costs to your finished product, it’s well worth the time to identify the best range for the project.

When you have an opportunity to get the best possible value from your gasket order and get something faster, why not take advantage of that and show the team what you accomplished? 

How SRP helps you optimize gasket tolerance and performance

At SRP, we often recognize situations where the project manager or engineer identified a too-tight tolerance range. When we do, we’ll call it to our customer’s attention, and advise them to take a second look at calculating the best range for the material and application.

Custom projects call for a custom cut and a custom tolerance range. Taking the extra step to calculate a tolerance range that’s suitable for the project will make a big impact on costs and timeline. In a time when supply chain issues are delaying deliveries and increasing costs, taking this extra step can keep your costs in line.

Explore our materials and data sheets to identify the best components for your gasket. For guidance on the ideal tolerance range for your custom gasket, our specialists are just an email or phone call away. 

The gasket is a small and mighty component that holds everything together in your product. But when your rubber gasket also has to resist high heat, choosing the correct material can be a complex decision.

What to know when choosing heat-resistant rubber

Elastomeric materials are sensitive to temperature, light, oxygen, moisture, heat and mechanical pressure. When used in demanding applications like electrical enclosure gaskets, electrical magnetic interference (EMI) protection and battery powered electronics, it’s important to select materials that can stand up to these tough conditions. Doing so will ensure the longevity of the gasket, not to mention the safety of the end user. 

High-temperature gaskets should be designed protect against will aging, cracking and holding a seal:

Thermal aging: If your product has to clear testing to meet ASTM standards, one may include thermal aging testing of your chosen rubber material. This provides the data on how your gasket would perform while resisting deterioration in high heat conditions.

It’s important to understand that if the material survives the thermal aging test, that doesn’t mean its performance abilities are intact. 

Other measurements in standards testing include compression set testing along with tensile and elongation testing. These evaluate whether the high-temperature environment causes deformity in the material:

Compression set: This test shows much of the elastomeric properties a material retains after exposure to high heat. Longer tests can reveal if the high-temperature rubber gasket material is capable of maintaining its seal.

Tensile and elongation: This metric shows whether the materials can retain their normal breaking point when stretched with pressure.

[Read: Top 5 Considerations for Custom Gasket Materials]

What temperatures can rubber materials stand?

Compared to metal and composite materials, elastomeric materials have a lower operating temperature. As a rule, anything with an operating temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a high-temperature rubber gasket material. As a starting guide, here’s a list of some of the most common sheet elastomeric gasket materials we work with and their maximum operating temperature.

• Natural Rubber: 180 F
• Nitrile (Buna-N): 250 F
• Butyl: 250 F
• Neoprene: 220-280 F
• EPDM: 250-300 F
• Fluoroelastomer (also called fluorocarbon): 400 F (as high as 600 F for shorter periods)
• Silicone: 500 F

Fluorocarbon vs. silicone: What’s the difference?

When it comes to finding the perfect heat-resistant flexible material for your gasket, it often comes down to fluorocarbon and silicone. In addition to high heat resistance, the material should also hold up well to compression pressure and the weather.

Silicone is the standard when considering a high-heat rubber material for gaskets, as it can withstand operating temperatures up to 500 F before it starts to degrade. 

[Explore our selection of silicone materials and Rogers BISCO.]

Fluorocarbons also withstand high operating heat up to 400 degrees. But fluorocarbons have a couple of advantages over silicone:

• Higher tensile strength, which would make it the better option for high-pressure applications.
• Higher resistance to fuels, solvents and chemicals.

When you’re selecting your materials for your custom gasket, the materials experts at SRP are here to help.

Learn more about our custom gasket and converter capabilities. Contact SRP and request a quote.

As you finalize the design for an EMI shielding gasket, there are many layers of consideration to work through in order to choose materials that deliver the protection and performance you need—without blowing the budget.

That often means selecting an adhesive that not only seals or holds a component in place but also helps block electromagnetic interference (EMI). The problem-solving behind EMI gasket design can be deceptively complex, even though the objective is simple. 

What are EMI shielding gaskets used for?

All electronic devices emit electromagnetic interference, and one solution to prevent EMI leakage is creating a shielding gasket. 

Excessive EMI leakage can cause serious disruptions — including data loss, equipment malfunction and system failure — especially in sensitive or mission-critical devices. 

In rare cases, EMI can interfere with life-supporting or safety-critical systems, making reliable shielding essential.

When it comes to maintaining critical systems, the design and material selection of EMI shielding gasket material can’t be left to chance.

An EMI gasket helps maintain the integrity of the conductive shield around an enclosure by closing gaps that would otherwise allow EMI to escape or enter. This shielding preserves device performance and compliance with EMC standards.

How do you choose EMI shielding gasket material?

Asking the right questions early in the design process will help you narrow down the right materials:

• What is the radiated emission spectrum?
  Understanding the frequency range is key to selecting shielding materials with the appropriate attenuation properties.
• Which specifications or standards must be met?
  Identify any required shielding effectiveness, such as compliance with MIL-STD-461, FCC Part 15, or IEC 61000.
• What are the environmental conditions?
  Will the gasket be exposed to outdoor weather, chemical vapors, solvents, or temperature extremes?
• What type of compressible material is needed?
  The material must fill the enclosure gap while maintaining conductivity and resiliency.

You’ll also want to weigh cost, manufacturability and lead time alongside performance for EMI gaskets – along with any other type of gasket you’re designing.

Commonly converted EMI shielding materials 

Common EMI shielding materials include:

• Electrically conductive foams – Compressible foams with a conductive skin or core that provide shielding while sealing against dust and moisture.
• Metal-filled silicones: BISCO EC-2130 Silicone EMI Shield offers excellent sealing and electrical conductivity in a flexible elastomer. 
• Fabric-over-foam tapes: 3M™ 5113 series, featuring a conductive polyolefin adhesive and fabric-wrapped foam core for excellent contact conductivity and flexibility.

These materials provide both environmental sealing and electrical conductivity to maintain shielding effectiveness across enclosure joints.

Get expert feedback on EMI gasket materials

When looking for a custom converting partner to create your EMI gasket, make sure your choice of gasket material is backed up with technical expertise to give you the feedback you can trust. That’s what you can expect with SRP. Contact SRP with your requirements and we’ll get back to you with a fast, accurate quote.

Like every other converter of flexible materials, SRP has been forced to extend project delivery dates. The shortages and long lead times for the arrival of materials, from silicone rubber to adhesives, are not limited to specific regions and companies. Everyone’s feeling it. Here’s our assessment: *Crazy*. In our decades in the business, this is all new territory.

As we make our way back to pre-pandemic production schedules, it will take equal measures of patience and agility on all our parts. Problem-solving is our way of life. These supply chain headaches don’t change that.

What’s causing custom order delays?

The root causes of our current market challenges are complex and far-reaching. But the COVID-19 pandemic kicked off a chain reaction that’s still in play. Labor shortages, raw materials and inflation are all things that are feeding into the availability of adhesives and foam rubber.

• Production shortfalls: Lack of availability of raw materials that make the products we use is causing significant delays with our suppliers. As an example, some orders of BISCO products are quoted at 26 weeks (six months); sometimes longer.
• Logistics logjams: The ongoing shortage of warehouse workers and truck drivers continues, and the container shipping backlog at major ports is slowing the delivery of raw materials and finished products.
• Price increases: One of the core challenges everyone faces is the pricing volatility of flexible materials. This means price changes on our finished product are highly likely. At SRP, we always apply our experience and capabilities to identify the most efficient means of production to create a high-quality product. But like any business, we must also adapt pricing to cover our expenses.

Solution: How is SRP being proactive?

This is a difficult environment for anyone doing business. When you’re accustomed to great products in efficient timelines, these developments are hard for us to live with. (No one likes being the bearer of bad news.) If you choose SRP as your custom converter, please know we’re constantly monitoring the situation. We’re also evaluating our processes and seizing every opportunity to expedite orders.

Increased production pace

At SRP, we’ve temporarily extended our production schedule. As back-ordered materials arrive, we expedite delayed orders to get them in your hands as soon as possible. We’re not outsourcing any aspect of the product; we still do it all in-house.

Increased communication

Our top priority is restocking our inventory. That’s why we’ve increased our contacts with our supplier partners so we get up-to-date information on the arrival of back-ordered material. Once we get a confirmed date, we’ll pass that along to you, so your project plans are always accurate and always up to date.

Proactive planning

Getting ahead when we can is another thing we can do to make progress and smooth out the ripple effects. Even if you’re still waiting, take a good look at your future production needs and place the order now. That way, you can get back on track. If we can have enough advance notice, we’ll be more successful at having the material ready to start your project on schedule.

One final tip: Call us!

In normal times, we maintain a full inventory at SRP. But just because there’s a backlog in materials doesn’t mean *all* shelves and bins are bare and empty. If you’re looking for something, call us and ask. We might just have that exact grade and thickness you’re looking for in stock.

Give SRP a call or request a quote today.