Customization ranges from simple things like special sheet or roll sizes to more complex things like bonding of dissimilar materials using specialty adhesives or sourcing special compositions of a particular material. Common specialty materials for product design and production of custom parts include (see list below):
Bisco®
offers the lightness of silicone foams plus the improved sealing capabilities of sponge rubber in a FDA and aerospace compliant solution that has excellent memory, low stress relaxation, and resistance to UV, ozone, and extreme temperatures and flame.
Buna
is excellent in applications that require resistance to oils or aromatic fuels. (-40°F to 200°F)
Butyl
has good resistance to gas permeation, acids, alkalies and ozone at moderate temperatures. (0°F to 325°F)
Cloth Inserted Rubber
is used in air, hot and cold water, saturated and low pressure steam and hydraulic services. (-20°F to 170°F)
Compressed Non-Asbestos Materials
are a unique blend of synthetic fibers and rubber binders. These offer superior sealability and creep relaxation. These materials handle a wide variety of applications throughout a wide range of temperatures.
Cork
is used in oil and weather exposed applications. Cork accommodates to mold or flange growth and will conform very well to minor surface irregularities. Cork is often combined with rubber to handle automotive and other assembly line applications. (Temperatures vary with fillers).
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)
has excellent ozone, chemical and aging characteristics. EPDM features high tensile strength and high heat resistance and is good with low temperature properties. It's resistant to ketones, ester-based solvents and some hydraulic oils. It can have poor resistance to petroleum based fluids and mineral oils.
Expanded PTFE (Teflon®)
is a sheet gasket material made from biaxially oriented expanded PTFE sheeting that is laminated to the required thickness. Expanded PTFE is much softer and more flexible than regular PTFE sheet and thus conforms easily to irregular and rough surfaces. EPTFE seals rough and irregular surfaces and is easier to compress while minimizing creep and cold flow.
Felt
is used for dust washers, isolation pads, weather strips, cushions, etc. and comes in a variety of thicknesses and varying grades.
Filled PTFE
is a modified Teflon®. The addition of fillers like glass fiber, carbon, bronze or graphite and others, in the form of powder mixed with the PTFE improves or modifies its properties depending upon the nature and quantity of filler. Filled PTFE is often not as strong and resilient as virgin PTFE. The filler limits the resistance to chemical agents and the electrical properties.
Flexible Graphite
is a unique form of natural graphite, combined with a core made of steel tang, steel wire, aluminum or Mylar®. This core gives the graphite material superior flexibility while allowing it to handle extreme temperatures and pressures. This material also has excellent compressibility and permeability characteristics. (-328°F to 850°F {atmosphere} 1200° F {steam})
Neoprene
is often used for miscellaneous gaskets, pads, and strips. Neoprene has a greater resistance than most rubbers to oils, light and heat. (-20°F to 190°)
Poron®
is a high density, open-celled, sponge-like urethane which offers excellent compression set resistance, high energy absorption, and is useful in a wide variety of sealing and manufacturing applications.
Red Rubber
is suitable against hot and cold water, air and low to medium saturated steam pressure. (-40°F to 180 °F)
Silicone
is recommended for high temperature, acidic, caustic and dielectric applications. Silicone offers outstanding resistance to high and low temperatures, chemical deterioration, oils and ozone breakdown. (-120°F to 500°F)
Sponge
is used for gaskets, strips, vibration pads, air and water tight door seals, various cut parts, etc. Temperatures vary by type.
Thermo-Sil
is a textured fiberglass cloth. Its dielectric qualities are outstanding. Available in tape and sheet form. (Up to 1000°F)
Viton®
is unsurpassed for service in oils, fuels, solvents and many other chemicals. (-10°F to 500°F)
White FDA Rubber
is used in all food processing and by manufacturers of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. (-25°F to 200°F)
Certification is available for materials which require military, federal, or AMS specification