Buy Rubber Sheets & Rolls Online in Australia
Rubber Sheet + Roll Material Selection — Quick Reference
Rubber sheet + roll selection turns on chemical exposure, temperature range, and mechanical requirements. Wrong material = swelling, hardening, cracking + failed seal/gasket. Match polymer to service.
| Material | Best For | Avoid | Temp Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Rubber (NR) | General use, abrasion resistance, indoor | Oils, fuels, UV outdoor exposure | -50 to 80°C |
| Neoprene (CR / Chloroprene) | Weather + ozone + moderate oil — workshop default | Aromatic + chlorinated solvents | -40 to 110°C |
| EPDM | Outdoor, UV, ozone, hot water + steam | Hydrocarbon oils, fuels | -50 to 150°C |
| Nitrile (NBR / Buna-N) | Oil + fuel resistance — gaskets in machinery | Ozone, sunlight, polar solvents | -30 to 100°C |
| Viton (FKM / FPM) | Aggressive chemicals + high temp — premium | Ketones, amines (e.g. acetone) | -20 to 200°C+ |
| Silicone | Extreme temp (-60 to +250°C), food grade | Hydrocarbon oils + fuels | -60 to 250°C |
| SBR (Styrene-Butadiene) | Economical general purpose | Oil, ozone, weathering | -30 to 80°C |
| Sponge / Foam Rubber | Cushioning, vibration damping, weather sealing | Pressure sealing (cellular structure) | Per polymer |
Common thicknesses: 1.5 mm / 3 mm / 5 mm / 6 mm / 10 mm — match to gasket compression requirement. Critical: For O-ring compatibility deep dive see O-ring guide. For gasket maker (RTV silicone) alternative see RTV silicone guide. Companion: gaskets, o-rings, sealing washers.
Rubber Sheet and Rolls for Australian Gasket Making, Sealing and Industrial Use
Rubber sheet and rolls are the raw stock for cutting custom gaskets, anti-vibration mounting pads, protective lining, and sealing components. Each rubber type has specific properties: natural rubber for general use, neoprene for weathering and oil resistance, EPDM for outdoor use, nitrile for fuel and oil contact. AIMS Industrial supplies rubber sheet and rolls in the materials, thicknesses, and grades Australian fabricators, gasket cutters, and trade users need.
The rubber materials we stock
- Natural rubber (NR) — economical general-purpose rubber, good elasticity and abrasion resistance
- Neoprene (CR / chloroprene) — weather, ozone, and oil-resistant; a workshop favourite for general gaskets
- EPDM — excellent outdoor weathering and steam resistance; typical for HVAC and outdoor sealing
- Nitrile (NBR) — fuel and oil-resistant; standard for fuel system gaskets and oil-contact sealing
- Silicone — high and low temperature service, food-grade options available
- Viton (FKM) — premium fluoroelastomer for high temperature and aggressive chemical service
- Insertion rubber — reinforced rubber sheet with internal fabric ply for higher tensile strength
Where each material earns its place
- Natural rubber — anti-vibration pads, general gaskets in cool-temperature service
- Neoprene — outdoor seals, weatherstripping, general industrial gaskets
- EPDM — HVAC, steam, outdoor seals, weather seals
- Nitrile — fuel, oil, and hydrocarbon gasket service
- Silicone — high-temperature gaskets, food-grade seals, electrical insulation
- Viton — extreme temperature and aggressive chemical service
Sizing — thickness and sheet dimensions
Rubber sheet thickness is the primary spec — common thicknesses are 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 10mm. Sheet sizes are typically 1m × 1m or 1.2m × 1.2m for cut sheets, with continuous rolls in widths of 1m or 1.2m and lengths of 5m, 10m, or 20m. For specific gasket cutting, thicker stock is harder to cut cleanly; thinner stock is more flexible but compresses more under bolt load.
Hardness — Shore A
Rubber hardness is measured on the Shore A scale. Common workshop grades are 60 Shore A (firm but pliable, the most common for gaskets) and 70 Shore A (firmer, suits higher-pressure applications). Softer rubber (40-50 Shore A) suits anti-vibration mounting and conformable seals; harder rubber (80+ Shore A) suits structural applications.
Cutting practice
Rubber sheet can be cut with sharp utility knives (OLFA snap-off blades work well), gasket-cutting punches, or specialised gasket-cutting machines. For accurate gaskets, a metal template or cardboard pattern guides the cutting. Lubricating the blade with water or soapy water improves cut quality and reduces blade drag.
Compliance — food-grade and specific applications
For food contact applications, the rubber must be food-grade certified to AS 2070 or equivalent. Silicone food-grade rubber is the typical choice. Don't use general-purpose rubber in food, pharmaceutical, or potable water applications without confirming the certification.
Companion ranges at AIMS
Rubber sheet and rolls sit alongside our broader sealing and raw materials range — see gasket sealants, O-rings, round rings, and sanitary tube fittings for the related products.
Need help selecting rubber type, thickness, or hardness for a specific application? contact our team — we'll match by service, temperature, and chemical exposure.
People Also Ask — Rubber Sheets and Rolls
Q: What types of rubber sheets does AIMS stock?
Standard industrial rubber sheets (natural rubber, SBR, neoprene, EPDM, nitrile, silicone, Viton, NBR), wear-resistant rubber, anti-vibration rubber sheets, fabric-reinforced rubber sheets (for higher-strength applications), and specialty rubbers (FDA food-grade, oil-resistant, ozone-resistant). Available in sheets (typically 1m × 1m or 1m × 5m) and rolls. Used for gasket cutting, wear plates, vibration damping, sealing, and equipment lining.
Q: What rubber material for which application?
Natural rubber/SBR: general purpose, abrasion resistance — wear plates, conveyor lining. Neoprene: weather resistance, moderate oil resistance — outdoor seals, weather strips. EPDM: best weather and ozone resistance, hot water — outdoor seals, automotive, HVAC. NBR (nitrile): oil and fuel resistance — fuel system seals, hydraulic. Viton/FKM: chemical and high-temperature — aggressive chemicals, high-temp seals. Silicone: extreme temperature range (-50 to +200°C), food/pharma. Match material to fluid AND temperature exposure.
Q: How do I choose rubber sheet thickness?
Match thickness to application: 1.5-3mm for general gasketing and light seals, 3-6mm for heavier gaskets and pad cushioning, 6-10mm for vibration damping under machinery, 10mm+ for wear plates and impact absorption. Thicker rubber gives more compliance and cushioning but is heavier and more expensive. For gasket applications, the bolt clamping and surface flatness determine thickness — too thick gasket may extrude under high clamp force.
Q: Can I cut rubber gaskets from sheet material?
Yes — rubber sheet is supplied for field cutting. Use a sharp utility knife with a steel ruler for straight cuts, hollow punches for bolt holes, scissors for irregular shapes. Mark from the flange face (or use a flange tracing) for accurate sizing. Allow 1-2mm overhang outside the flange for full sealing area. For volume gasket production, dedicated gasket cutting equipment available. Quality sheet material gives clean cuts; cheap rubber tends to tear at cut edges.
Q: What hardness rubber should I specify?
Shore A hardness scale: 40 Shore A (soft, conformable — good for gaskets and seals), 60 Shore A (medium, workshop standard for general industrial rubber), 80 Shore A (firm, for wear plates and structural rubber), 90 Shore A (very firm, for high-load applications). Softer rubber conforms better to surfaces (better sealing) but wears faster. Harder rubber has better wear and load capacity but seals less well. For most gasket applications: 60 Shore A. For wear plates: 80-90 Shore A.