Rubber Sheet, a fundamental component in many professional industry applications, is used worldwide thanks to its resilience, versatility and adaptability. From Neoprene and Nitrile to EPDM, Silicone, Viton, Natural Rubber and Fluorosilicone, each variant offers distinct properties catering to specific needs.
This blog post explores the characteristics, benefits, and applications of rubber sheet materials, providing you with the knowledge to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a material for your project.
Types of Rubber Sheet
Neoprene Rubber Sheet
Neoprene rubber sheet, or polychloroprene, is a versatile synthetic rubber known for its adaptability and durability, extensively used for its exceptional resistance to oils, chemicals, and adverse weather conditions. Exhibiting flexibility, it is suitable for various applications, ensuring a prolonged lifespan in demanding conditions. Known for chemical resistance against oils, chemicals, and harsh substances, neoprene also demonstrates weather resistance to sunlight and ozone.
The versatility of neoprene rubber sheets make it suitable for various applications, ensuring long-lasting performance and resistance to wear and tear. The chemical resistance of neoprene is a key benefit, making it an ideal choice for environments with exposure to oils and chemicals.
Nitrile Rubber Sheet
Nitrile rubber sheet is a synthetic rubber compound recognized for its exceptional resistance to oils and fuels, widely used in environments where exposure to petroleum-based substances is a significant concern. Possessing excellent resistance to oils and fuels, nitrile is a preferred choice in environments with inevitable contact with petroleum-based substances.
The primary benefit of nitrile rubber sheet lies in its outstanding resistance to oils, making it a go-to material for applications involving oil seals, fuel system components, and conveyor belts in oil-rich environments. Its stability enhances the reliability of components in various industrial settings.
EPDM Rubber Sheet
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber sheet is a resilient rubber renowned for its excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, and UV exposure. Ideal for roofing membranes, outdoor seals, and water-related applications, EPDM ensures durability in diverse environmental conditions.
The primary advantage of EPDM rubber sheet lies in its exceptional weather resistance, making it a top choice for outdoor applications where prolonged exposure to the elements is a concern. Its flexibility further contributes to its versatility.
Viton Fluoroelastomer Rubber Sheet
Viton Fluoroelastomer is a high-performance rubber sheet material widely recognised for its superior heat and chemical resistance properties. Commonly employed for applications that demand resilience against extreme temperatures and excessive chemicals where other rubber sheet materials are not sufficient.
Viton’s Fluoroelastomer rubber sheet’s exceptional heat resistance and chemical inertness make it a preferred choice for applications in extreme conditions, providing reliability and longevity. Its versatility is evident in its broad suitability for various demanding scenarios across many professional industry environments.
Silicone Rubber Sheet
Silicone rubber sheets are highly regarded for their versatility and unique properties, exhibiting excellent flexibility, resilience, and temperature resistance. Notably, silicone rubber is commonly FDA approved, making it a trusted material for applications in the food and medical industries.
The flexibility and temperature resistance of silicone make it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its FDA approval underscores its safety for use in food-grade and medical applications. Silicone rubber maintains its properties across a broad temperature range, ensuring stability in diverse environments.
Natural Rubber Sheet
The flexibility and temperature resistance of silicone make it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its FDA approval underscores its safety for use in food-grade and medical applications. Silicone rubber maintains its properties across a broad temperature range, ensuring stability in diverse environments.
Derived from the latex of trees, Natural rubber sheet is valued for its elasticity properties, offering exceptional flexibility and unrivalled abrasion resistance. Widely used in various applications, natural rubber sheet is valued for its elasticity properties, offering exceptional flexibility and unrivalled abrasion resistance.
Fluorosilicone Rubber Sheet
Fluorosilicone rubber sheets stand out for their exceptional performance, particularly in challenging conditions. They excel at extreme low temperatures, outperforming many other rubber varieties, and exhibit superior resistance to volatile fuels, oils, and petroleum chemicals.
Frequently employed in aerospace and automotive applications, where resistance to fuel, oil, and solvents is crucial. The remarkable capabilities of fluorosilicone rubber sheets in extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments ensure dependable performance in critical settings.
Applications of Rubber Sheet
Rubber sheets, with their diverse material compositions, find extensive applications across a broad range of professional industries, catering to unique needs and challenges. The choice of rubber sheet is vital, and different types are selected based on their properties. Here’s an insight into how rubber sheet materials are used across different industries:
Automotive & Motorsport
In the automotive and motorsport industry, rubber sheets play a crucial role in ensuring performance, safety, and longevity. Neoprene and Nitrile rubber sheets are commonly used for gaskets and seals, providing resilience against oils and chemicals. Nitrile rubber sheets, known for their exceptional oil resistance, find applications in engine components, fuel systems, and conveyor belts.
Aerospace & Defence
In aerospace and defence applications, where exposure to harsh conditions is inevitable, specialised rubber sheets are employed. Viton and Fluorosilicone rubber sheets excel in this domain, particularly in fuel systems. Their superior resistance to volatile fuels, oils, and chemicals ensures reliable performance in critical aerospace components.
Food Production & Processing
The food production and processing industry demands rubber sheets with high hygiene standards. Silicone rubber sheets, commonly FDA approved, are extensively used for manufacturing kitchenware, bakeware, and seals in food processing equipment. Their non-reactive nature and ability to withstand extreme temperatures make them ideal for food-related applications.
Medicine & Pharmaceutical
Rubber sheets find applications in the medical and pharmaceutical fields due to their biocompatibility and flexibility. Silicone rubber sheets are often used in medical devices, seals, and components. Their compliance with stringent medical standards and flexibility make them suitable for various healthcare applications.
Construction Industry & Industrial Applications
In the construction industry and industrial applications, rubber sheets contribute to sealing, insulation, and protection. EPDM rubber sheets, renowned for their weather resistance, are commonly used for outdoor applications. Natural rubber sheets, with their flexibility and cost-effectiveness, find applications in conveyor belts and industrial hoses.
Choosing the Right Rubber Sheet
When selecting a rubber sheet, it’s crucial to consider the specific requirements of your application and the unique properties of different materials. Let’s delve into some of the key points to understand when choosing a material:
Consider the Application Environment
- Neoprene: Versatile and durable, suitable for various applications, with resistance to oils, chemicals, and adverse weather conditions.
- Nitrile: Exceptional resistance to oils and fuels, making it ideal for environments with exposure to petroleum-based substances.
- EPDM: Ideal for outdoor applications, offering excellent resistance to weathering, ozone, and UV exposure.
- Viton: High-performance material with superior heat and chemical resistance, perfect for extreme temperature and chemical environments.
- Silicone: Versatile and FDA-approved, making it suitable for food-grade, medical, and electronic applications.
- Natural Rubber: Known for elasticity and resilience, suitable for applications requiring flexibility and high abrasion resistance.
- Fluorosilicone: Exceptional performance in extreme low temperatures and enhanced resistance to volatile fuels, oils, and petroleum chemicals, making it suitable for aerospace and automotive applications.
Understand Specific Material Properties
- Neoprene: Exhibits flexibility and durability, with chemical resistance against oils and harsh substances.
- Nitrile: Stands out for exceptional resistance to oils, making it ideal for applications in oil-rich environments.
- EPDM: Renowned for excellent weather resistance, making it a top choice for outdoor applications.
- Viton: Excels in extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments, ensuring reliability and longevity.
- Silicone: Flexible and biocompatible, ideal for food-grade, medical, and electronic applications.
- Natural Rubber: Known for its elasticity, resilience, and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for various industrial applications.
- Fluorosilicone: Performs exceptionally well in extreme low temperatures and offers enhanced resistance to fuels, oils, and petroleum chemicals.
Evaluate Temperature and Chemical Exposure
- High Temperatures: For applications with extreme heat, such as engine components or industrial processes, Viton and Fluorosilicone excel due to their superior heat resistance.
- Low Temperatures: In applications requiring flexibility at extremely low temperatures, Fluorosilicone stands out.
- Chemical Exposure: Different rubber sheets have varying levels of resistance to chemicals. Viton is known for its chemical inertness, making it suitable for environments with aggressive chemicals, while Neoprene and Nitrile offer resistance to oils and fuels.
Installation and Maintenance Tips for Rubber Sheets
Proper installation and regular maintenance are crucial for ensuring the effectiveness and longevity of rubber sheets in various applications. During installation, it’s essential to prepare the surface meticulously, ensuring it is clean, dry, and free from contaminants to promote strong adhesion. Achieving a precise fit by trimming the rubber sheet accurately prevents issues like leaks in sealing applications. Using recommended adhesives and adhering to manufacturer guidelines ensures a secure and durable connection.
Regular maintenance is vital for sustained performance. Periodic visual inspections help identify signs of wear or damage, enabling timely intervention to prevent further deterioration. Keeping the rubber sheet clean by removing debris and chemicals is essential, while regular lubrication in moving applications reduces friction and extends the sheet’s lifespan. Monitoring temperature conditions, adhering to guidelines, and verifying chemical compatibility contribute to optimal performance.
When wear and tear become evident during inspections, prompt replacement is recommended to prevent hazards and performance issues. By adopting a proactive approach to installation, maintenance, and timely replacement, users can maximise the functionality and durability of rubber sheets in diverse applications.
Where to Buy Rubber Sheet Online
For a reliable source of top-quality rubber sheets online, Delta Rubber Limited stands out as your go-to supplier. Our user-friendly online platform offers a diverse selection of premium rubber sheets, all manufactured to meet the industry standards. Find out where to buy rubber sheet online below:
Neoprene Rubber Sheet
Our Neoprene rubber sheet range includes Commercial Grade Neoprene, suitable for most general purpose applications and BS2752 British Standard Specification Neoprene for applications demanding a higher quality neoprene rubber sheet material. Both are available in a range of thicknesses, widths and length options to your specification.
EPDM Rubber Sheet
We offer EPDM Rubber in thicknesses from 1mm to 6mm (other thicknesses available upon request, sheet sizes measuring 1400mm wide and any length from 1 metre to a full 10 metre roll. If you require a WRAS approved grade, we also offer WRAS Approved EPDM in a range of size variations.
Nitrile Rubber Sheet
Among our Nitrile rubber sheet range is Commercial Grade Nitrile Rubber, Fuel Grade Nitrile Rubber and British Standard BS271 Nitrile Rubber. Choose your desired length, thicknesses and width to suit your application.
Silicone Rubber Sheet
Discover our full buy-online Silicone rubber sheet range including White FDA Approved Silicone Rubber Sheet, HT800 Sponge Silicone Rubber Sheet, Electrically Conductive Silicone Rubber Sheet and MF775 Silicone Rubber Sheet.
Viton Fluoroelastomer Rubber Sheet
Our Genuine Black Viton Fluoroelastomer Rubber Sheet is available to buy online in thicknesses from 1.5mm to 6mm (other thicknesses available upon request), standard sheet sizes measuring 1400mm and any length from 1 metre to a full 10 metre roll. We are also proud to be one of the UK’s only stockists of premium grade Viton Fluoroelastomer Sponge Rubber Sheet, also available to buy online.
Natural Rubber Sheet
You can purchase Natural Insertion Rubber Sheet and British Standard BS1154 Natural Rubber in black or white through our easy to use online shop. Select a thickness to suit your application and choose any length from 1 metre to a full 10 metre roll.
Fluorosilicone Rubber Sheet
We offer 3.2mm Blue Fluorosilicone Rubber in standard sheet sizes measuring 500mm x 450mm, 914mm x 450mm, 1000mm x 450mm and 1000mm x 914mm. For alternative Fluorosilicone rubber sizes or colours, please contact us to place an order.
Our buy-online rubber sheet materials are available off-the-shelf, with fast nationwide delivery available on all orders. For rubber sheets not available to purchase online, please contact a member of our sales team for assistance. We have the buying power to source almost any elastomeric material you may require and in-house machinery to produce bespoke rubber products and components upon request.