Rubber sheet is industrial elastomer supplied in flat sheet form — typically 1 m × 1.2 m or 1.2 m × 1.4 m sheets, or longer rolls — for cutting into custom gaskets, vibration pads, machine guarding linings, conveyor skirting, anti-slip matting, hose lining, and any application where a flexible flat rubber profile is required. It's the cheapest and most flexible form of industrial rubber supply — buy the sheet, cut what you need, store the rest.
The single most important decision is which rubber material. NBR (nitrile), EPDM, neoprene, silicone, and Viton are the five workhorses, with SBR, butyl, Hypalon and natural rubber filling specialty roles. The wrong material in the wrong service fails fast — EPDM in oil dissolves in hours; NBR in hot water degrades in weeks; silicone in hydraulic service tears under pressure. This guide is the AU AEO reference: it covers nine rubber materials with temperature ranges, chemical compatibility, Shore A hardness selection, sheet thickness for gaskets vs lining vs vibration, the cutting methods that match workshop reality, and food / potable water certifications.
AIMS Industrial stocks rubber sheet across four supply tiers: Dixon Natural Insertion Industrial Sheet Rubber (cloth-reinforced for high-tear and high-pressure gaskets), Dixon Skirting Industrial Sheet Rubber (Shore A 65 conveyor belt skirting compound), Recycled Rubber Matting (The Mat Group — vibration damping, anti-slip, acoustic, sub-slab and stable matting), and the commodity material range (EPDM, NBR, neoprene, silicone, general-purpose). Together this covers most workshop and industrial rubber sheet requirements with WaterMark and AS/NZS 4020 compliance available on the food + potable-water grades through our supplier network.
What this guide is NOT: an O-ring reference (extruded/moulded ring stock, different product class), a gasket maker reference (formed-in-place RTV silicone), a spiral wound gasket reference (metallic high-pressure gaskets), or a moulded rubber component reference (custom moulded parts are made-to-order). Rubber sheet completes the sealing cluster as the cut-to-shape flat gasket and general-purpose elastomer supply category.
What is rubber sheet and what is it used for
Rubber sheet is an industrial elastomer supplied in flat sheet form. Standard sheet sizes are 1 m × 1.2 m and 1.2 m × 1.4 m in 1.5 mm through 25 mm thicknesses; rolls run to 10 m length or longer for production-volume buyers. The sheet is calendered (rolled to thickness) and vulcanised (cured) at the manufacturer, then supplied to industrial customers who cut, punch, or laser the final shapes on demand.
The dominant applications fall into seven categories:
- Custom-cut gaskets — flat-flange gaskets, fitting gaskets, motor mount gaskets, inspection cover gaskets, manhole gaskets. This is the largest use case for rubber sheet by volume.
- Vibration damping — anti-vibration pads under machinery, motor base mats, compressor isolation pads.
- Conveyor belt skirting — the rubber strips that seal the gap between conveyor belt and frame, preventing material spillage.
- Machine guarding linings — protecting metal-on-metal contact, lining hoppers, bunding tank liners.
- Anti-slip matting — workshop floors, vehicle decks, trailer floors, horse float floors.
- Hose and pipe lining — fluid transfer linings, abrasive slurry pipe linings.
- General industrial padding — bumper strips, edge guards, equipment isolation, sound deadening.
The choice between rubber sheet, O-ring, gasket maker, and spiral wound gasket comes down to gasket geometry and service. Cut-to-shape flat gaskets where a sheet form makes sense: rubber sheet. Round seals in grooves: O-ring. Irregular sealing surfaces where the gasket fills a gap: gasket maker (RTV). High-pressure flanged metallic sealing: spiral wound. For deep coverage on the alternatives see our O-Ring Guide, Gasket Maker Guide, and Spiral Wound Gasket Guide.
The five main rubber materials — decision matrix
Five materials cover roughly 90% of industrial rubber sheet supply. Get the material right and the rest of the spec is straightforward. Get it wrong and the part fails fast, often dramatically.
| Material | Temp range | Water/steam | Oil/fuel | Chemicals | Cost (vs NBR) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBR (Nitrile / Buna-N) | -40°C to +100°C | Cold OK / hot NO | EXCELLENT | Limited | 1.0× (baseline) | Oil, fuel, hydraulic, automotive gaskets |
| EPDM | -50°C to +150°C | EXCELLENT | DESTROYED | Acids, alkalis | ~1.2× | Water, steam, brake fluid, weatherseal |
| Neoprene (CR) | -40°C to +100°C | Good | Mild OK | Mild | ~1.3× | HVAC, marine, refrigerant, weather, general |
| Silicone (VMQ) | -60°C to +230°C | Good (not high-press steam) | Poor | Limited | ~3-4× | Extreme temperature, food grade, electrical |
| Viton (FKM) | -20°C to +200°C | OK | EXCELLENT | EXCELLENT | ~5-7× | Aviation, jet fuel, aggressive chemicals, hot oils |
The two failure modes that cause 80% of rubber sheet field failures: EPDM in oil service (the material swells, softens, and disintegrates within hours of oil contact) and NBR in hot water or steam (the nitrile bonds hydrolyse and the rubber goes hard and brittle within weeks). These are the cardinal sins of material selection — every other compatibility mistake is recoverable, but these two destroy parts fast.
NBR (Nitrile / Buna-N) — the oil and fuel default
Nitrile rubber, also called NBR or Buna-N, is a copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. The acrylonitrile content (typically 18% to 50%) determines oil resistance: higher acrylonitrile = better oil resistance + worse low-temperature flexibility. Standard industrial NBR sheet is ~33% acrylonitrile, balancing oil resistance with cold-temperature performance.
NBR is the default rubber sheet material for any application involving petroleum-based oils, fuels, hydraulic fluids, and most industrial lubricants. Automotive gaskets, hydraulic system gaskets, fuel pump diaphragms, and oil filter gaskets are all NBR territory. The commercial workshop default is 3/32" (2.4 mm) thickness in 60 Shore A durometer — that spec covers most general gasket-cutting needs and is widely stocked.
NBR is available from 1/32" (0.8 mm) to 1/4" (6.4 mm) thickness in Shore A hardness from 40 (soft, compliant) through 90 (firm, high-pressure). For oil-resistant abrasion-resistant linings, 5-10 mm thick NBR is the standard.
Where NBR fails: hot water service above 70°C (hydrolysis), steam, brake fluid (DOT 3/4 destroys NBR), strong acids, ketones (acetone, MEK), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene), and ozone exposure (cracks over time on outdoor weathering). For brake fluid use EPDM; for aromatic solvents use Viton; for ozone exposure use neoprene or EPDM.
EPDM — the water and steam default
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is the standard rubber sheet for water and steam service, brake fluid systems, and outdoor weatherseals. Temperature range -50°C to +150°C with excellent water, steam, ozone, UV, and weather resistance. The cluster of properties that NBR doesn't have, EPDM has.
The Eng-Tips engineering forum practitioner consensus on EPDM gasket hardness: "EPDM at 70 Shore A hardness is recommended to balance surface conformance against excessive bulging". This is the gasket-compliance sweet spot — softer than 70A and the rubber bulges out from under the bolt load; firmer than 70A and the rubber doesn't conform to mating face imperfections. For flange gaskets in water service, EPDM 70A in 2-3mm thickness is the default spec.
EPDM dominates the following applications: water mains gaskets, plumbing flange gaskets, hot water boiler gaskets, steam system low-pressure gaskets, HVAC chilled and hot water flange gaskets, brake fluid system seals (DOT 3 and DOT 4), automotive coolant hose gaskets, outdoor electrical enclosure gaskets, solar panel weatherseals.
Where EPDM fails (beyond oil): aromatic solvents, mineral oils, fuels, vegetable oils, animal fats, dieldrin and chlorinated solvents. The selection rule is simple: water-side service = EPDM; oil-side service = NBR. Don't mix them up.
Neoprene (CR) — the all-rounder
Neoprene (polychloroprene, also called CR) is the middle-ground rubber — better than NBR on weather and ozone, better than EPDM on oil, but not as good as either at their specialty. Temperature range -40°C to +100°C. Standard HVAC, marine, refrigerant, mild chemical, and general-purpose industrial applications.
Neoprene is the dominant material for: HVAC duct gaskets, refrigerant system gaskets (where EPDM swells in HFC), marine engine room gaskets, mild oil weather seals, electrical cable jacketing, automotive timing belt covers, brake hose covers (cover not lining — covers see road oil and weather, linings see brake fluid). Shore A 60-70 is the standard durometer range.
Neoprene's "all-rounder" nature is also its limitation — for any pure single-service application a more specialised material does the job better. Pure oil service: NBR. Pure water service: EPDM. Extreme temperature: silicone. But where a single material has to handle a mixed service (oil splash + weather + temperature cycling), neoprene is often the right compromise.
Where neoprene fails: strong oxidising acids, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, esters. Above 100°C continuous service the rubber hardens and cracks.
Silicone (VMQ) — extreme temperature service
Silicone rubber (VMQ) is a synthetic elastomer based on silicon and oxygen polymer chains rather than the carbon-based chains of NBR/EPDM/neoprene. The silicon-oxygen backbone gives it exceptional temperature range (-60°C to +230°C continuous, short-term spikes to 250°C) and very low compression set across that range — the rubber recovers its shape after long-term load even at high temperatures.
Silicone dominates: high-temperature oven gaskets, autoclave seals, electrical insulation (excellent dielectric properties), food processing gaskets (food-grade silicone is FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 compliant), pharmaceutical applications, medical-device gaskets, neonatal equipment seals, and any application requiring extreme temperature tolerance.
Silicone's major weaknesses: poor mechanical strength (tears easily compared to NBR/EPDM at similar Shore A), poor oil resistance (most petroleum oils swell silicone), poor abrasion resistance (degrades fast in dynamic contact), and high cost (3-4× NBR).
Silicone is the right choice when temperature performance trumps every other consideration. It is the wrong choice for any application involving petroleum oils, high pressure with low durometer, sliding friction, or strong acids.
Viton (FKM) — chemical and aviation premium
Viton (the DuPont/Chemours trade name) and the generic equivalents from other manufacturers are all FKM (fluoroelastomer) — fluorine-substituted rubber polymers with exceptional chemical and temperature resistance. Temperature range -20°C to +200°C continuous (some grades -40°C low end, others +250°C high). The standard "premium" rubber for aggressive service.
FKM dominates: aviation fuel systems (jet kerosene destroys NBR; FKM is the standard), aggressive chemical service (acids, solvents, hot hydrocarbons), refinery sealing, high-temperature oil service (engine oils above 150°C, transmission fluid hot-spot service), pharmaceutical and biotech where chemical resistance matters, fuel system seals where ethanol content is high (E85 fuel destroys NBR), and any service where temperature cycling combines with chemical aggression.
The cost premium is significant — 5-7× the price of NBR for equivalent thickness and Shore A. The decision rule: spec FKM when NBR or EPDM doesn't survive the service and the cost of premature failure exceeds the FKM cost premium. For typical industrial workshop service the additional cost isn't justified; for aviation, chemical, and severe-service applications it is.
Food-grade FKM (white or blue dyed for visibility) is available with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 compliance for food contact service — typical applications include high-temperature dairy gaskets and food processing equipment where silicone's poor mechanical strength fails.
Specialty rubbers — SBR, butyl, Hypalon, natural rubber
Four specialty rubbers fill specific niches outside the five workhorses.
| Material | Best for | Avoid for |
|---|---|---|
| SBR (Styrene Butadiene) | Conveyor belts, abrasion-resistant linings, general industrial matting, lower-cost commodity rubber | Oil, ozone, weather, hot water |
| Butyl (IIR) | Air and gas barriers (very low gas permeability), tire inner tubes, vacuum service, steam to 120°C, oxygenated solvents | Petroleum oils, fuels, hydrocarbons |
| Hypalon (CSM, chlorosulfonated polyethylene) | Outdoor weather and ozone resistance superior to neoprene, acid/alkali service, roof membranes | Aromatic solvents, hot oils, aldehydes, chlorinated solvents |
| Natural rubber (NR) | High abrasion resistance, dynamic flex applications, low durometer cushioning | Oil, ozone, weathering, temperatures above 70°C |
SBR is the most common commodity rubber — cheaper than NBR and the basis of most general-purpose rubber matting, recycled rubber matting (typically SBR/natural rubber blends), and lower-spec gasket sheet. It lacks oil and weather resistance, so don't substitute it for NBR or EPDM in those services.
Butyl rubber is the gas-impermeability specialist. Its molecular structure is unusually tight, blocking gas and water vapour from passing through. Standard for tire inner tubes, vacuum gaskets, refrigerant gas seals, oxygenated chemical service (where most rubbers fail). Butyl handles steam well but is destroyed by petroleum oils.
Hypalon (CSM) is the weather and chemical specialist — better than neoprene on UV/ozone, better than EPDM on acids and alkalis. Major application is industrial roof membranes (single-ply roofing), pond liners, and acid/alkali tank linings. More expensive than neoprene.
Natural rubber (NR) is the historical default — derived from rubber tree latex, vulcanised with sulphur. Exceptional abrasion resistance and dynamic flex performance make it the standard for conveyor belt covers in mining and quarrying, but its poor oil/ozone/weather resistance limits it to those applications where those exposures are not present.
Shore A durometer — what it means and how to choose
Shore A is the standard hardness scale for rubber, measured on a 0-100 scale (technically Shore A 0-100, though commercial industrial rubber typically spans 30-95). The number represents indentation resistance of a standardised indenter under a standardised force, per ASTM D2240. Higher number = harder rubber = less compliant under load.
| Shore A range | Feel | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 30-50 (soft) | Sponge-like; deforms easily under thumb pressure | Sponge gaskets, edge cushioning, sound deadening foam-like service |
| 60-70 (medium) | Firm; deforms slightly under thumb pressure | General industrial gaskets — the workshop default range |
| 75-85 (firm) | Hard; barely deforms under thumb pressure | High-pressure gaskets, wear pads, conveyor skirting |
| 90-95 (very firm) | Almost rigid feel | Wear plates, abrasion liners, structural rubber pads |
The Eng-Tips engineering forum consensus on flange gasket durometer is 70 Shore A as the sweet spot: "EPDM at 70 Shore A hardness is recommended to balance surface conformance against excessive bulging". Below 60A the rubber bulges out under bolt load (lose sealing pressure on the active sealing surface); above 80A the rubber doesn't conform to mating face imperfections (sealing depends on the metal surface being perfectly flat, which it never is). 65-75A is the universal commercial sweet spot for flange gaskets, with 70A being the most commonly stocked spec.
For wear and abrasion service, go harder — Dixon Skirting Industrial Sheet Rubber is Shore A 65, but conveyor wear pads and abrasion liners typically run 80-90A. For vibration damping, go softer — 40-50A absorbs energy through deformation; 70A passes vibration through.
Sheet thickness selection
Sheet thickness selection depends on the application's load, span, sealing requirement, and clearance.
| Thickness | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 1.5 mm | Light-duty gaskets, electrical insulation, edge guard tape |
| 2-3 mm | General workshop flat gaskets, motor mounts, inspection cover gaskets |
| 3-5 mm | Medium-pressure flange gaskets, hose flange gaskets, pump gaskets |
| 5-6 mm | High-pressure flange gaskets, manhole gaskets, large flange gaskets |
| 10 mm | Vibration pads, conveyor skirting, machine-mount pads |
| 15-25 mm | Heavy-duty vibration pads, anti-slip matting, stable matting, sub-slab acoustic mats |
Workshop reality: most general-purpose rubber sheet supply is 2-3 mm for gasket cutting and 6-10 mm for vibration pads. Going thicker on a gasket doesn't automatically improve sealing — at some point the gasket needs more bolt load to compress, and the assembly is constrained by bolt strength, not gasket thickness. Match thickness to the bolt-load envelope and the mating-face flatness; don't over-spec.
Insertion rubber — cloth-reinforced for high pressure
Insertion rubber is a cloth-reinforced rubber sheet — typically a nitrile or general-purpose rubber with woven cotton, nylon, or polyester cloth laminated in 1-3 plies through the thickness. The cloth gives the sheet much higher tear strength and ply-pull resistance (3-5× plain rubber), enabling gaskets to handle higher bolt loads and higher operating pressures without extruding out from under the flange.
The standard pressure rule: plain rubber sheet gaskets to approximately 10 bar / 1 MPa, insertion rubber to approximately 25 bar / 2.5 MPa. Above 25 bar, switch to specialty gasket materials (spiral wound metallic, PTFE-reinforced, graphite, etc.).
AAP's Dixon Natural Insertion Industrial Sheet Rubber is a high-grade insertion product designed for industrial water mains, pump flange gaskets, fire-service flange gaskets, and any flanged application requiring higher pressure tolerance than plain sheet can deliver. Available in standard thicknesses with WaterMark certification on the food-and-potable grades.
Cutting your own gaskets — workshop methods
For one-off and low-volume gasket cutting, in-house methods are typically cheaper than ordering custom-cut gaskets from a supplier. Four practical methods work in a general workshop, ranked by cost and precision:
| Method | Best for | Precision | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand cutting (Stanley knife or rotary cutter) | One-offs, simple shapes, large gaskets | ±1 mm typical | Cheapest — knife + cutting mat |
| Hole punch + steel rule die | Repeatable holes and simple shapes | ±0.5 mm | Low — hollow punch set |
| End mill on soft backer (Hobby-Machinist method) | Complex shapes, repeatable, milling-machine workshops | ±0.2 mm | Low — 1/16" end mill + plywood backer + push pins |
| Waterjet or laser (outsourced) | Production volumes, precision, complex shapes | ±0.1 mm | Higher — per-cut pricing typically |
Forum-validated practitioner consensus on workshop cutting (Hobby-Machinist threads): "a 1/16" end mill is highly effective for cutting rubber gaskets — mount the rubber on plywood or MDF held with thumb tacks or push pins; a single pass is all it takes. Edges come off slightly fuzzy but slide them on medium sandpaper to clean up."
For DIY round gasket cutters, the Practical Machinist forum thread "Most economical way to make custom round gaskets" documents multiple methods including razor blade in a spring-loaded mill chuck (basic materials only, used in mill spindle at 80 RPM for nearly perfect circles), and steel pipe sharpened on a lathe with soap as cutting lubricant.
Food grade and potable water rubber — certifications
Rubber sheet used in food-contact or potable-water service must comply with specific certifications. Standard industrial rubber sheet does NOT comply by default — buying generic "EPDM sheet" and using it on a food production line is non-compliant and will fail audit.
| Certification | Scope | AU regulatory link |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 | US food contact rubber — accepted globally as a baseline standard | Referenced in AU food production audits |
| AS/NZS 4020 | AU potable water in-contact — leach testing for taste/odour/cytotoxicity | Mandatory for any rubber in contact with drinking water |
| WaterMark | AU product certification for plumbing products in potable water service | Mandatory for AU plumbing trade installations |
| NSF 61 | US potable water standard (referenced globally) | Often required alongside AS/NZS 4020 |
| EC 1935/2004 + BfR | European food contact regulations | Referenced in pharmaceutical and export-grade food production |
| 3-A Sanitary | US dairy and food equipment hygienic design | Dairy and beverage production |
Food-grade silicone (typically white or translucent for visibility against food product) is the dominant food-contact rubber. Food-grade EPDM is the dominant potable water rubber (white EPDM-PW for cold water mains gaskets, with WaterMark + AS/NZS 4020). FKM/Viton in food-grade specification (white or blue) is used for hot-side food processing where silicone's mechanical strength is insufficient.
The selection rule: if the rubber will contact food, beverage, drinking water, or pharmaceutical product, specify the certification by standard (not just the material), and source from a supplier that can provide the compliance documentation. AIMS sources food-grade and AS/NZS 4020 / WaterMark compliant rubber through our supplier network — contact us with the service specification.
Conveyor skirting rubber — Dixon Skirting Shore A 65
Conveyor belt skirting rubber is a specific product class — Shore A 65 nitrile compound (sometimes SBR-based) supplied in continuous rolls 100-200 mm wide. The skirting strips bolt to the conveyor frame on each side of the belt, with the lower edge contacting the belt at a controlled pressure. As the belt runs, the skirting prevents conveyed material from spilling off the sides of the belt — critical for dust control, material loss minimisation, and downstream conveyor equipment protection.
The Dixon Skirting Industrial Sheet Rubber is the AAP standard for AU conveyor applications — mining, quarrying, agricultural, recycling, and waste handling conveyor systems. Shore A 65 is firm enough to maintain belt contact under fines (sand, gravel, coal dust) but soft enough not to wear the conveyor belt surface excessively. Standard supply is 6-10 mm thickness in 100-200 mm strip width.
Job-specific compound — don't substitute general-purpose rubber sheet for skirting service. The chemistry is optimised for the belt-on-belt contact friction and the abrasive material exposure typical of mining and quarrying. General-purpose neoprene or EPDM in a skirting application wears fast and tears.
Vibration damping and acoustic matting
Recycled rubber matting is the workhorse material for industrial vibration damping, anti-slip flooring, acoustic isolation, and sub-concrete-slab cushioning. The product is typically SBR/natural rubber recycled from end-of-life tires, ground and re-bonded with polyurethane binder into sheet stock. Thickness range 6 mm to 25 mm, supplied in 1.2 m × 1.2 m sheets or 1.2 m × 10 m rolls.
The Mat Group is AAP's recycled rubber matting supplier — covering: gym and weight-room floor protection, horse float and trailer floors, workshop floor cushioning, sub-slab acoustic mats (between concrete slabs in commercial buildings for noise transmission control), machinery vibration pads, and truck-bed liners.
| Application | Typical thickness | Why recycled rubber |
|---|---|---|
| Gym floor / workshop floor protection | 10-15 mm | Heavy-load durability + shock absorption |
| Horse float / trailer floors | 15-25 mm | Anti-slip + cushioning + durable in animal urine + outdoor weather |
| Sub-slab acoustic matting | 10-15 mm | Vibration isolation between concrete slabs in multi-story buildings |
| Machinery vibration pads | 15-25 mm | Isolates compressor/pump/generator vibration from concrete floor |
| Truck-bed liner | 10-15 mm | Load protection + anti-slip |
For pairing with anti-vibration mounts see our Anti-Vibration Mounts Guide — rubber matting handles the broadband vibration absorption while AV mounts handle the discrete mechanical isolation.
AIMS rubber sheet supply — the four service tiers
| Tier | Product | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Premium insertion (cloth-reinforced, high pressure) | Dixon Natural Insertion Industrial Sheet Rubber | Industrial flange gaskets to ~25 bar, fire-service gaskets, pump flange gaskets |
| Conveyor specialty | Dixon Skirting Industrial Sheet Rubber Shore A 65 | Conveyor belt skirting, mining and quarrying applications |
| Vibration damping + anti-slip + acoustic | Recycled Rubber Matting (The Mat Group) | Workshop floors, sub-slab acoustic, horse float, machinery pads |
| Commodity material grades | EPDM, NBR, neoprene, silicone, general-purpose sheet | Workshop gasket cutting, water/oil/HVAC service, general industrial |
Pairing rubber sheet with companion sealing products: O-rings for groove-and-bore round seals, RTV silicone gasket maker for formed-in-place sealing, spiral wound gaskets for high-pressure metallic flange sealing, camlock fitting gaskets for tank-truck and bulk-transfer service, and anti-vibration mounts for paired with vibration matting.
For specific certifications outside standard stock — food-grade silicone, FDA Viton, WaterMark-certified EPDM, NSF 61 potable water grades, or specialty compounds (silicone-coated fibreglass for high-temperature, EMI/RFI conductive rubber for electrical) — AIMS sources through our supplier network. Contact us or call (02) 9773 0122 with the service envelope (fluid, pressure, temperature, certification requirement, sheet size) and we'll specify the right material for the duty.
Common rubber sheet mistakes — diagnostic table
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber gasket swelled, softened, disintegrating within hours/days | EPDM in oil service (the #1 failure mode) or NBR in brake fluid | EPDM for water/steam/brake fluid; NBR for oil/fuel/hydraulic. Don't mix them. |
| Gasket leaks despite correct material | Durometer wrong — too soft (bulges out) or too firm (doesn't conform) | 70 Shore A is the gasket sweet spot for most flange applications. |
| Gasket extrudes out from under bolt load at high pressure | Plain sheet on a high-pressure service | Switch to insertion rubber (cloth-reinforced, ~25 bar limit) or spiral wound gasket above 25 bar. |
| NBR gasket hard and brittle after weeks in service | Hot water or steam contact — NBR hydrolyses above 70°C in water | Switch to EPDM for hot water/steam service. |
| Outdoor gasket cracked after 12 months | Ozone and UV exposure — NBR and natural rubber crack outdoors | Switch to EPDM (water-side) or neoprene (general weather) for outdoor service. |
| Food production audit failed on rubber gasket | Generic industrial rubber used in food-contact service | Specify food-grade silicone (FDA 21 CFR 177.2600) or food-grade EPDM with documentation. |
| Conveyor skirting wearing fast / damaging belt | General-purpose rubber used instead of specific skirting compound | Use dedicated Dixon Skirting product (Shore A 65 conveyor-specific compound). |
| Gasket cut with rough/tearing edges | Dull blade or excessive cutting force | Replace blade; use end mill on plywood backer for clean edges; sand-smooth rough edges. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rubber sheet used for?
Rubber sheet is industrial elastomer in flat sheet form, used to cut custom gaskets, vibration pads, machine guarding linings, conveyor skirting, anti-slip matting, hose lining, and general industrial padding. The dominant application is custom flat gasket cutting for flanges and fittings.
What's the difference between NBR, EPDM, neoprene and silicone rubber sheet?
NBR is the oil/fuel/hydraulic default (-40 to +100°C). EPDM is the water/steam/brake fluid default (-50 to +150°C, destroyed by oil). Neoprene is the HVAC/marine all-rounder (-40 to +100°C). Silicone is the extreme temperature specialist (-60 to +230°C) used in food-grade applications. The cardinal rule: oil-side service uses NBR; water-side service uses EPDM. Don't mix them.
Which rubber sheet is best for gaskets?
For water/steam: EPDM 70 Shore A in 2-3mm thickness. For oil/fuel/hydraulic: NBR 60-70 Shore A in 2-3mm thickness. For HVAC and general: neoprene 60-70 Shore A. For high-pressure flanges above ~10 bar: insertion rubber (cloth-reinforced). The match between rubber chemistry and service fluid is more important than choosing the "best" material in general.
What thickness rubber sheet should I use for a gasket?
2-3mm for general workshop flat gaskets, 3-5mm for medium-pressure flange gaskets, 5-6mm for high-pressure flange gaskets. Thicker isn't automatically better — at some point the gasket needs more bolt load to compress and the assembly is constrained by bolt strength. Match to the bolt-load envelope and mating-face flatness.
What does Shore A durometer mean?
Shore A is the standard hardness scale for rubber, measured 0-100. Higher number = harder rubber = less compliant under load. Practical ranges: 30-50A = sponge-like cushioning; 60-70A = general industrial gaskets (the workshop default); 75-85A = high-pressure and wear; 90-95A = wear plates and abrasion liners. For flange gaskets, 70 Shore A is the universal sweet spot (Eng-Tips engineering consensus).
Can EPDM be used with oil?
No. EPDM is destroyed by petroleum oils, fuels, and most hydrocarbon-based fluids — the rubber absorbs the oil, swells dramatically, softens, and disintegrates, typically within hours of contact. The single most common rubber-sheet field failure is EPDM specified for an oil application "because rubber is rubber". Use NBR for any oil, fuel, or hydraulic service. The only exception is phosphate ester aviation hydraulic fluid (Skydrol), which destroys NBR and requires EPDM.
Can NBR be used with hot water or steam?
No, not above 70°C. NBR hydrolyses in hot water above 70°C — the nitrile bonds break down and the rubber goes hard, brittle, and cracks within weeks. Use EPDM for any hot water or steam service. NBR is fine for cold water.
What is the temperature limit for each rubber type?
NBR: -40 to +100°C. EPDM: -50 to +150°C. Neoprene: -40 to +100°C. Silicone: -60 to +230°C (the extreme-temperature default). Viton/FKM: -20 to +200°C continuous. SBR: -30 to +80°C. Butyl: -40 to +120°C. Hypalon: -40 to +120°C. Natural rubber: -50 to +70°C only.
How do I cut a rubber sheet?
For one-offs and simple shapes: sharp Stanley knife or rotary cutter on a cutting mat. For repeatable holes: hollow steel punch set. For complex shapes in a workshop with a milling machine: 1/16" end mill on plywood or MDF backer with thumb tacks holding the rubber (Hobby-Machinist forum-validated method). For production volumes or precision: outsource to waterjet or laser cutting. A dull blade is the #1 cause of cutting accidents — replace blades regularly.
What is insertion rubber?
Insertion rubber is cloth-reinforced rubber sheet — typically 1-3 plies of woven cotton, nylon, or polyester cloth laminated through the rubber thickness. The cloth gives 3-5× the tear strength of plain rubber, enabling gaskets to handle higher bolt loads and pressures without extruding. Standard pressure rule: plain rubber to ~10 bar, insertion rubber to ~25 bar.
What is conveyor skirting rubber?
Conveyor skirting rubber is a Shore A 65 nitrile or SBR-based compound supplied in continuous rolls 100-200 mm wide. It bolts to the conveyor frame on each side of the belt, with the lower edge contacting the belt at controlled pressure to prevent conveyed material from spilling off the sides. Job-specific compound — don't substitute general-purpose rubber for skirting service.
Is rubber sheet food-grade?
Generic industrial rubber sheet is NOT food-grade by default. For food-contact service specify food-grade silicone (FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 compliant) or food-grade EPDM. The certification must be by documentation, not just material name — buying generic "silicone sheet" doesn't guarantee food compliance. Source from a supplier that provides compliance certificates.
What rubber sheet is suitable for potable water?
AS/NZS 4020 certified rubber, typically EPDM-PW (white EPDM formulated for potable water) with WaterMark certification for AU plumbing inspection. NSF 61 is often referenced alongside AS/NZS 4020 (US potable water standard). Specify by certification, not material name.
What's the difference between rubber sheet and rubber matting?
Rubber sheet is calendered (rolled) and vulcanised virgin rubber in standard sheet form, used for gaskets and lining. Rubber matting is typically thicker (10-25mm), often made from recycled rubber (SBR/natural blend bonded with polyurethane), and used for vibration damping, anti-slip flooring, acoustic isolation, and sub-slab cushioning. Different products for different applications — don't substitute matting for gasket service or sheet for floor cushioning.
How long does rubber sheet last in service?
Depends entirely on the material/service match. A correctly-specified rubber gasket (right material for the service, correct durometer, correct thickness, undamaged installation) typically lasts 5-15 years in static service. A wrong-material gasket (EPDM in oil, NBR in hot water) fails in hours to weeks. Ozone-sensitive materials (NBR, natural rubber) outdoors fail in 1-3 years. Shelf life of unused rubber sheet is 5-10 years for most materials stored cool, dark, and dry.