Are gaskets and seals the same thing? The answer can be confusing. They both make a seal to prevent leaks and guard against dust and particles. Both are made from flexible material, such as rubber, polyurethane or silicone. When you look at design and function, the distinctions start to emerge. In short, gaskets connect two separate pieces and create a seal through compression of the elastomeric material. A seal is usually fitted into the end of a shaft or a line to protect against leaks.

What’s a gasket?

While a gasket provides sealing function, these are some of the properties that distinguish it from a seal.

• Gaskets allow the connection between two components without the need to machine a metal part.
• Gaskets conform to the joint or flange, and maintain compression to block leaks and unwanted particles.
• Often used in static applications.
• Can be die cut from elastomeric materials into custom shapes to fit the parts.

What’s a gasket made of?

A gasket is part of a sealing system, and it has three main components:

• Flanges or joint, which is the flat surface the flexible material conforms to.
• Gasket, which is the die cut elastomeric material.
• Fasteners, which hold clamping force to maintain compression.

All three work together to create gasket compression to establish a seal. The compression is created by the clamping force of the gasket, and that pressure causes the elastomeric material to compress tightly.

How do you choose a material for a gasket?

Compression set resistance is one of the top considerations when choosing a gasket material, because the material’s ability to spring back to its original shape correlates with its sealing ability. As compression set creeps in over weeks, months and years, the gasket can gradually lose its ability to block leaks and contaminants.

Finding the right material requires factoring in the material’s hardness and the amount of pressure so you can achieve the protection and performance you expect. (A custom converter can help you identify the best material for your application.)

But in addition to compression set resistance, exposure to other elements, such as dust, excess heat, sunlight and solvents, can impact the material’s performance over time.

Excessive heat and ultraviolet rays can harden certain soft materials, so it loses conformity with the flange, which leads to leaks.

What’s a rubber seal?

Unlike gaskets, seals are most often used to prevent leaks in active applications and are fitted between moving or rotating parts, such as pumps, shafts and other engine components. If you think of the classic flat, round O-ring, that’s a seal.

Seals are often used to prevent leaks and are fitted to the end of a shaft or for sealing hydraulic lines. Seals are also used in bearings.

Rubber seals include:

• O-rings
• Valve stem seals
• Rotary seals
• Mechanical seals

As you’re designing your custom gasket, there can be confusion around the terms gaskets and seals. When it’s time to finalize your materials – the foam rubber and the pressure-sensitive adhesive backing – SRP has more than 70 years experience in custom gasketing. Call us today to get your project going.

Die-cut PORON polyurethane foam is an excellent material for gasket design because it has an excellent compression set, 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 aerospace, automotive or industrial, PORON is a highly reliable option to guard your product against leaks and other causes of the 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.

[Read more about SRP’s PORON custom gasket capabilities]

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.

Permanent set measures the extent of deformation after exposure to compression for a specific time.

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. Would it need frequent replacement or will it last 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? The range is 0% compression set to 100% compression set. The lower the percentage the higher the 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.

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

Why does compression set resistance matter?

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 over time. Compression creep doesn’t necessarily show up during materials testing.

PORON’s compression set resistance

PORON is a dense foam rubber made of uniform microcells with a compression set resistance that’s similar to silicone, making it a highly sought-after gasket material. These microcells allow the material to spring back to its original shape and thickness, even after a high force compression. It’s available in a range of thickness, hardness and density.

How do you choose the right PORON material?

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 backing for your custom die-cut PORON gasket, our unmatched technical expertise will guide you to the best choice.

Contact an expert today.

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.

As you finalize the design for an EMI gasket, there are many layers of consideration to work through, so you choose the materials that deliver the performance and protection you need to meet safety requirements without blowing the budget. That can mean searching for an adhesive that can seal or hold a component in place, but also helps create a barrier against electromagnetic interference and leaking. The problem solving that goes into an EMI gasket design can be deceptively complex, though the objective is simple.

What are EMI gaskets used for?

All electronic devices emit electromagnetic interference, and one solution to prevent EMI leakage is creating a shielding gasket. Too much exposure to EMI interference leaking from a device can be dangerous, potentially causing an injury. Not only that, EMI leakage can also disrupt devices, causing disturbances, data loss and system failure. 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 seals the enclosure of the device’s electronic components, blocking any gaps to contain the EMI interference and keep the end user safe. Creating a product that safely seals in EMI leakage requires choosing the right materials, from gap filler to adhesive.

How do you choose EMI shielding gasket material?

Answering these questions at the design stage can narrow your selection of the right materials.

• What is the radiated emission spectrum?
• Which specifications or requirements does it need to meet for shielding effectiveness?
• What is the device’s environment like? That is, would your gasket be exposed to weather conditions, chemicals or solvents? If you choose a material that is incompatible with the environment, that can affect the lifespan of the gasket.
• What type of gap filler do you need to build out your gasket?

While these questions focus on the performance of the material, you’re also evaluating cost.

Your choice of custom converter is just as critical as selecting the right material.

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 where choosing a converting partner that’s also a 3M^™ Preferred Converting network can save you time and effort, getting you to the production stage more quickly.

SRP is a 3M^™ Preferred Converting partner, which means our staff maintains a high level of skill and expertise with 3M^™ materials because our partnership gives us access to training. If you’re stumped on the final selection, or need alternatives to meet your budget, our experts are here to help. For in-depth answers, we can even loop in a 3M^™ representative on a conference call, so you can have complete confidence in your EMI gasket design.

SRP can also make prototypes of your custom converter. Once your design is finalized and quoted, we can quickly create the prototype samples you need so you can run tests on the effectiveness of your gasket seals.

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

The gasket is a small and mighty piece 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. Choosing an elastomeric material that can stand up to these tough conditions will ensure a lasting gasket, not to mention the safety of the end user. Otherwise, the material will age, crack and eventually fail to hold the seal.

• 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.

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 weather.

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

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.
• Better 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.

This is where you determine tolerance range of your custom-cut flexible part, because no one wants to waste time sorting out ill-fitting pieces that won’t work. By defining the tolerance of your custom-cut flexible material, you’re establishing how much the cut can stray from the base measurement – without affecting fit and performance.

The problem with defaulting to the tightest tolerance

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-aided software inserts the tightest range by default.

Choosing the tightest range can seem like the best route to a high-quality product with the best performance. After all, you want to look good to your team. But not all projects require the top-level precision. There are countless times when you can go with a wider tolerance range, and there will be no effect on quality and performance of the gasket. It’s better to find the range that meets the needs of the conditions and application.

Bottom line, it’s not always critical to use the tightest tolerance. Defaulting to the narrowest tolerance without considering other options can raise costs and delay delivery.

Outcomes from using too-tight tolerance ranges:

• Additional inspections during production, which can lead to stoppages.
• Higher scrap rate of finished products that fall outside the tight range.
• Higher material costs to make up for the scrapped products.
• More frequent changeovers and stoppages for things like inspections, tooling adjustments, and the addition of material to make parts.

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 spend less and get something faster, why not take advantage and show the team how you did so?

Expertise you can trust

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.

SRP is a proud member of the 3M^™ Preferred Converter network. Being a Preferred Converter means we get priority access to the best materials in the industry at the best pricing, backed with technical expertise to help you identify the best material for the project.

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

Choosing the strongest and best adhesive every time would certainly simplify your design process, but it’s not always cost effective. When it comes to choosing between pressure-sensitive tape vs liquid adhesive, it comes down to the application, and how the adhesive needs to perform under the conditions.

What will the gasket be exposed to? You’ll be considering factors like temperature, solvents and climate conditions. Which industry standards would the product need to comply with? Once you’ve completed a likely use analysis on the product, you can get started on choosing an adhesive.

Pros and cons of spray and liquid adhesives

Spray adhesives are the go-to for many industries and applications because they provide a strong, lasting bond for an attractive materials cost. Other advantages:

• Fast application, by spray, roll or brush for immediate assembly.
• Great coverage, especially if you’re applying it to an irregularly shaped surface.

But when you consider other factors of using liquid adhesives, this route can end up raising your production and materials costs.

• Liquid adhesives can be applied manually or by machine, meaning they come with operational and equipment costs.
• Liquid adhesives need time for curing and drying, which means it can be minutes or even more than an hour before the item reaches full handling strength.
• Liquid adhesives can add an extra step of cleanup, thanks to drips and spills.
• Liquid adhesives can leave odors and fumes in a work space, which requires additional venting to ensure a safe and pleasant work environment.
• When applied properly, liquid adhesives can provide a strong, lasting bond. However, they don’t always apply evenly, disrupting the bond and the performance of your product.

Why use pressure-sensitive tape in gasketing?

The big advantage of using pressure-sensitive tape for a gasket over liquid adhesive is efficiency. Pressure-sensitive tape saves time on the production floor while minimizing costs.

• A converter partner applies the pressure-sensitive tape directly to the surface of the gasket material before cutting the custom shape. Once you’re ready to apply the gasket to the substrate, simply peel the protective backing and place it on the surface, while applying pressure for a brief time.
• It’s versatile because an adhesive-backed gasket can be done manually or through automation.
• Curing time is also a key advantage. While the adhesives need time to gain full bonding strength, most PSAs reach handling strength immediately after handling.
• Consistency of coverage makes PSAs an attractive option. In the converting process, you’ll know the gasket has full, even coverage of adhesive. It eliminates the risks from gaps and bubbles.
• Appearance: In addition to leaving no drips, pressure-sensitive tape create a seamless bond between the gasket and material. If you’re looking to update your design, making your product lighter and more streamlined and attractive, PSAs can provide a solution across many industries.

To learn more, read The upside of using adhesive transfer tape in gasket bonding.

Working with a converter partner to create a custom cut, adhesive-backed gasket can improve your production processes. Bottom line, PSAs are more versatile, faster curing and they improve the appearance of your design. But are PSAs strong enough to do the job? PSAs are used across many industries, including demanding ones such as aerospace, automotive and industrial, so there’s a wide availability of highly engineered adhesives that come in PSA form that stand up to the toughest conditions.

For a deeper dive, read A quick guide to gasket adhesive tapes.

As you make the selection, working with a converter partner can help you select the best tape for your gasket that can achieve the protection and performance you’re looking for.

SRP is proud to be part of the 3M^™ Preferred Converter network. Being a Preferred Converter means we get priority access to the best materials in the industry at the best pricing. We pass these benefits on to our customers.

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

In addition to finding the right gasket material to link two unlike surfaces, finding the right fastener that holds everything together is the next step.

In the making of custom-made gaskets, adhesive transfer tape is the fastener of choice, especially once you compare this option to more traditional fasteners:

Mechanical Fasteners

Bolts, rivets and screws are the mechanical go-to because of the strength but also for the fact they create a bond you can see and feel. On the downside, mechanical fasteners add weight and bulk to your design. During assembly, they create an extra step of labor that requires equipment and a special skill set. Plus, over the life of the product, metal parts can loosen, causing annoying rattling and vibrations during use.

Liquid and Hot Melt Adhesives

Liquid and hot melt adhesives are an effective means to create a strong, lasting bond between two unlike substrates, whether it’s metal to plastic or acrylic to silicone. However, this option requires specialized equipment in-house. Also, drying and curing add time to the production schedule.

Welding

This option provides all the strength of a mechanical fastener, but the result is that slim profile that we like to see. However, welding requires skilled labor, and can’t create bonds of equal strength when joining two dissimilar surfaces.

Why use adhesive transfer tape in gasket bonding?

Adhesive transfer tape provides the solution to all the above problems. When adhesive transfer tape is layered on the gasket material and cut to the specified dimensions, it creates the ultimate peel-and-stick solution to your gasketing needs.

Other advantages of using adhesive transfer tape as a gasket fastener:

Streamlines Production

Adhesive transfer tape bonds immediately and builds strength over time. But it requires no drying, no curing, and the item can be handled right after application. Unlike liquid and hot melt adhesive, production can move to the next step.

Low Profile

Adhesive transfer tape is super thin and lightweight, adding no bulk to your design.

Flexibility

Uneven surfaces can be bonded together without the worry of the adhesive losing its grip.

Strength

Stress and pressure are evenly distributed across the gasket surface to provide the best performance.

Versatility

Adhesive transfer tape has no carrier. It’s adhesive placed on a silicone liner that peels away easily when you need it.

Adhesive Transfer Tape: The Ideal Converter Material

Adhesive transfer tape provides a blank canvas for a variety of projects and products. Because its applications are almost unlimited, adhesive transfer tape is the ultimate converter material. Compared to other fasteners, it’s a simple and inexpensive method to join two surfaces.

Adhesive transfer tape is simply a strip of adhesive placed on a liner. When used as a gasket fastener, it’s applied to the gasket material before it’s cut.

During the production of the converter, the liner stays put. Not only does this liner provide a backing material for your peel-and-stick gasket, but during cutting, the liner is an effective means of keeping the adhesive in place. Because the liner minimizes any stretching and moving, this converter method provides complete adhesive coverage. This creates an effective fastener. This also enhances any sealing function you require of the gasket – an important consideration if you’re using solvent- and water-resistant substrates, such as silicone or Neoprene.

SRP is proud to be part of the 3M^™ Preferred Converter network. Being a Preferred Converter means we get priority access to the best materials in the industry at the best pricing. We pass these benefits on to our customers.

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

When it comes to product design, there’s no such thing as too many details. When it comes to gasket design, a complete set of details helps us come up with the best possible plan to hit your deadlines and stay on budget. When preparing your gasket consultation, use this checklist as a guide.

1. Do you have a CAD drawing?

This may seem like an elementary question to most customers. However, those who are new to gasket design may not be familiar with the details we require.

Converting your gasket design to a CAD provides us with the best representation of the gasket’s visuals and dimensions. This information lets us identify the material cutting method that best fits your requirements, including tolerance range, deadlines and budget, so we can give you a fast and accurate quote.

2. What is the gasket’s acceptable tolerance range?

Many customers don’t think to factor this in. But during the design and planning stage, you’ll want to account for the small variations in dimensions that occur in a material when it’s cut by a specific method. These variations (tolerances) are often imperceptible to the naked eye.

Most gaskets function flawlessly within the standard tolerance range. But if your gasket requires a tighter-than-standard tolerance to hold everything together, we’ll need to look at higher-precision cutting methods.

Providing this data early lets us choose the cutting method that’s best for your gasket.

3. What does your gasket do?

Successful gasket design considers the material’s ability to protect and hold in the conditions the product would be exposed to. In most cases, there would be a specific set of specifications to follow, which consider things like:

• Temperature: What temperature range would the material be exposed to?
• Location: Is this an indoor or outdoor application?
• Resistance to UV rays, chemicals and solvents: What would the material be exposed to, and how much and how often?
• Flame resistance: Would the material require a particular flame rating?
• Gasket function: What will the gasket be sealing or protecting?

The more we know about the project, the better we can assist you in the design and manufacturing processes.

4. Any quality requirements for your gasket’s project approval?

As we plan your project, it helps to know your firm’s review process after the order is filled. If you know of any out-of-the-ordinary parameters, indicating it upfront can save us both time and money. Some companies require specific quality samples and prototypes, backed with datasheets and inspection reports. (A common one is the First Article Inspection Report.) It’s equally common for companies to not require this level of review.

5. Does your project require a prototype?

This ties into the above quality review question. If you need a prototype, let us know of any requirements that will be a part of that review.

6. What is your lead time?

At SRP, we build custom gaskets to order. We keep materials in stock, but we don’t maintain a warehouse of finished products. We typically quote 4-6 weeks for orders, though we’re usually ready to ship them out in 3-4 weeks. If your project has a tight deadline, keep in mind that material availability and other factors can come into play.

7. What are your packaging requirements?

Packaging requirements can run the gamut in the gasket business. It’s an often-overlooked question that can affect the gasket delivery, especially if you’re looking for something unusual. Will you need a barcode for inventory management purposes? Will the gaskets need to be packaged in plastic zip-close bags, or would bulk packaging suffice?

8. Are you prioritizing gasket makers within the Preferred Converter network?

When you’re looking to use specific gasket materials and adhesives for your project, you may have noticed that SRP is a part of the Preferred Converter network with several material providers, including 3M^™. What does a preferred partnership mean to you? There are several benefits, which makes it an important feature to look for when you’re looking at gasket partners.

Being in the Preferred Converter network gives you access to the best materials in the industry. This is a point of pride for us because we know our customers can count on getting the highest quality materials at the highest standards. Not only that but being in the Preferred Converter network means we get the best available prices and lead times for the materials you need.

In short, the Preferred Converter label is a signal to you that a company can provide top-notch materials and service.

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

When it comes to choosing materials to assemble your product, gasket tapes offer benefits for both product design and assembly.

What is gasket tape? Gasket tape is foam with adhesive backing that comes in a roll that can be cut to size to seal out liquids and gases. Compared to using liquid and spray adhesive, gasket tape provides a peel-and-stick solution that simplifies production without sacrificing on quality.

• Unlike rivets and fasteners, gasket tapes make your design less bulky, while also dampening noise and vibration.
• Though glues and spray adhesive provide excellent bonding strength with rubber and silicone gasket material, pressure-sensitive tape requires no drying and curing time. Gasket tape reaches handling strength right after it’s applied to the surface, making production more efficient.
• Gasket tape contributes to a cleaner and safer production environment, with no fumes or special equipment handling.

To bring your product to life with gasket tape, work with an experienced converting partner who can die-cut your gasket tape – or custom make a peel-and-stick gasket that meets your design requirements.

The key to choosing the right gasket tape is finding the right tape structure and adhesive. The best tapes used for gasketing are: very high bonding tape, adhesive transfer tape and double-sided tape. Use this overview to help you narrow your selection so you can finalize your design.

Very high bonding tape

Very high bonding tape is the go-to gasket foam tape. Its bond builds strength over time, while the adhesive and the closed cell foam core maintains its performance when exposed to high temperatures and solvents.

Because of its high-strength acrylic adhesive, very high bonding tape can take the place of rivets and screws, making your product design smoother, more streamlined and lighter – not to mention you can eliminate the rattle and vibrations that accompany loosening screws and rivets.

Along with taking the place of foam or rubber gaskets, this high bonding foam gasket tape can join two dissimilar surfaces, such as: aluminum, steel, glass, plastic as well as painted and powder-coated surfaces.

Adhesive transfer tape and double-sided tape

Though foam gasket tape comes in many widths, thicknesses and material, sometimes it’s better to create a custom gasket tape. Adhesive transfer tape and double-sided tape can be applied directly to sheets of rubber, foam rubber or silicone. Then, through a custom slitting process, the materials are converted into a foam gasket tape.

The material can then be cut to size and die or laser cut to your specific dimensions. When you’re ready to fasten your custom gasket tape to your product, simply peel the backing, and it will instantly adhere to your chosen surface.

How do you choose the best tape for a rubber gasket?

That depends, because the adhesive transfer tape and double-sided tape are available in different chemistries and bonding strengths. This quick overview shows how they compare.

• Rubber gasket tape is cost-effective, adhering to synthetic and natural rubber material more quickly than silicone and acrylic adhesive tapes can. However, the biggest downside is the adhesive in rubber tapes deteriorates after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• Acrylic gasket tape forms a strong, lasting bond to rubber materials, even when exposed to harsh environments.
• Silicone gasket tape provides strengths and resistance to harsh conditions, but is most effective when bonded with silicone gasket materials.

SRP is proud to be part of the 3M^™ Preferred Converter network. Being a Preferred Converter means we get priority access to the best materials in the industry at the best pricing. We pass these benefits on to our customers.

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