Gasket material chart
Gasket material chart.
Temperature, hardness, chemical resistance and pressure duty for the common gasket materials, side by side. Use it to narrow the choice, then ask us to check it against your joint.
- Gasket materials compared, typical values
- 15
- Media rated for chemical resistance
- 8
How to read it
How to read the gasket material chart.
Each material in the chart is a family, not a single product: two nitrile sheets from different makers can differ by 20°C in their upper limit. The figures are typical published values for common grades; the data sheet for the grade we supply applies to your gasket.
Temperatures are for continuous service in a static seal; oils, steam and chemicals usually bring the limit down. Chemical resistance is rated Good (little or no effect), Fair (some swelling or loss of properties, best for occasional contact) and Poor or not recommended, at room temperature: heat speeds up every attack.
Every material we cutTemperature and hardness
Gasket temperature and hardness chart.
Insulating and thermal materials are included for comparison; their guides cover them in depth: electrical insulation materials, Nomex® insulation, Kapton® film and thermal interface materials.
Viton™ is a trademark of The Chemours Company. Klingersil® is a trademark of Klinger. Nomex® is a trademark of Arclin or its affiliates. Kapton® is a registered trademark of its owner. Other names are the trademarks of their owners.
Gasket materials: typical temperature and hardness
General values, not a specification
| Material | Typical service temperature (From / To) | Typical hardness |
|---|---|---|
| Rubbers (elastomers) | ||
| Natural rubber | From-50°CTo+70°C | 30 to 90 Shore A |
| Neoprene (CR) | From-40°CTo+100°C | 40 to 80 Shore A |
| Nitrile (NBR) | From-30°CTo+100°C | 50 to 90 Shore A |
| EPDM | From-50°CTo+150°C | 40 to 90 Shore A |
| Viton™ (FKM) | From-20°CTo+200°C | 60 to 90 Shore A |
| Silicone | From-60°CTo+200°C | 20 to 80 Shore A |
| PTFE, cork, fibre and foam | ||
| Virgin PTFE | From-200°CTo+260°C | 50 to 65 Shore D |
| Nitrile and neoprene bonded cork | From-30°CTo+120°C | 55 to 80 Shore A |
| Compressed fibre, such as Klingersil® | Up to about 250°C to 400°C, by grade | Rated by compressibility |
| Vegetable fibre gasket paper | From-20°CTo+120°C | Rated by compressibility |
| Closed-cell foams (polyethylene, PVC, neoprene) | About -30°C to +80°C, by foam | Soft; rated by density |
| Silicone sponge | From-60°CTo+200°C | Soft; rated by density |
| Insulating and thermal materials | ||
| Nomex® aramid paper | Up to 220°C (thermal class, by system) | Paper; not rated by hardness |
| Kapton® polyimide film | From-269°CTo+400°C short term; continuous use in systems rated 200°C and above | Film; not rated by hardness |
| Thermal interface pads | About -60°C to +200°C, by grade | From very soft gap fillers to firm pads |
Rubbers (elastomers)
- Natural rubber
- From-50°CTo+70°C
- Typical hardness: 30 to 90 Shore A
- Neoprene (CR)
- From-40°CTo+100°C
- Typical hardness: 40 to 80 Shore A
- Nitrile (NBR)
- From-30°CTo+100°C
- Typical hardness: 50 to 90 Shore A
- EPDM
- From-50°CTo+150°C
- Typical hardness: 40 to 90 Shore A
- Viton™ (FKM)
- From-20°CTo+200°C
- Typical hardness: 60 to 90 Shore A
- Silicone
- From-60°CTo+200°C
- Typical hardness: 20 to 80 Shore A
PTFE, cork, fibre and foam
- Virgin PTFE
- From-200°CTo+260°C
- Typical hardness: 50 to 65 Shore D
- Nitrile and neoprene bonded cork
- From-30°CTo+120°C
- Typical hardness: 55 to 80 Shore A
- Compressed fibre, such as Klingersil®
- Up to about 250°C to 400°C, by grade
- Typical hardness: Rated by compressibility
- Vegetable fibre gasket paper
- From-20°CTo+120°C
- Typical hardness: Rated by compressibility
- Closed-cell foams (polyethylene, PVC, neoprene)
- About -30°C to +80°C, by foam
- Typical hardness: Soft; rated by density
- Silicone sponge
- From-60°CTo+200°C
- Typical hardness: Soft; rated by density
Insulating and thermal materials
- Nomex® aramid paper
- Up to 220°C (thermal class, by system)
- Typical hardness: Paper; not rated by hardness
- Kapton® polyimide film
- From-269°CTo+400°C short term; continuous use in systems rated 200°C and above
- Typical hardness: Film; not rated by hardness
- Thermal interface pads
- About -60°C to +200°C, by grade
- Typical hardness: From very soft gap fillers to firm pads
Continuous service in a static seal, except where a short-term limit is stated (Kapton® reaches 400°C only for short periods). Typical values; the data sheet for the grade we supply applies.
Chemical resistance
Gasket chemical resistance chart.
Typical ratings against eight common media at room temperature. Solvents are a broad group, so check the exact solvent with us; concentrated acids and strong oxidising chemicals always need a specific check against the grade.
Gasket materials: typical chemical resistance
Rated Good, Fair, or Poor or not recommended
| Material | Typical rating (Good / Fair) | Poor or not recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Rubbers (elastomers) | ||
| Natural rubber | GoodWater, dilute acids, alkalisFairNone of the eight | Mineral oil, fuel, steam, solvents, ozone and UV |
| Neoprene | GoodWater, alkalis, ozone and UVFairMineral oil, dilute acids | Fuel, steam, solvents |
| Nitrile | GoodMineral oil, fuel, waterFairDilute acids, alkalis | Steam, solvents, ozone and UV |
| EPDM | GoodWater, steam, dilute acids, alkalis, ozone and UVFairKetones and alcohols | Mineral oil, fuel, hydrocarbon solvents |
| Viton™ (FKM) | GoodMineral oil, fuel, water, dilute acids, ozone and UVFairAlkalis; most solvents except ketones and esters | Steam, ketones, low molecular weight esters |
| Silicone | GoodWater, ozone and UVFairDilute acids, alkalis | Mineral oil, fuel, steam, solvents |
| PTFE, cork, fibre and foam | ||
| Virgin PTFE | GoodAll eight mediaFairNone of the eight | None of the eight; molten alkali metals and fluorine attack it |
| Nitrile-bonded cork | GoodMineral oil, fuel, waterFairDilute acids | Steam, alkalis, solvents, ozone and UV |
| Neoprene-bonded cork | GoodWater, ozone and UVFairMineral oil, dilute acids | Fuel, steam, alkalis, solvents |
| Compressed fibre | GoodMineral oil, fuel, water; steam (rated grades)FairDilute acids, alkalis, solvents, ozone and UV | Strong acids and alkalis, by grade |
| Vegetable fibre gasket paper | GoodMineral oil, fuelFairWater, petroleum solvents | Steam, dilute acids, alkalis, other solvents |
| Closed-cell polyethylene foam | GoodWater, dilute acids, alkalisFairMineral oil; ozone and UV (stabilised grades) | Fuel, steam, solvents |
Rubbers (elastomers)
- Natural rubber
- GoodWater, dilute acids, alkalisFairNone of the eight
- Poor or not recommended: Mineral oil, fuel, steam, solvents, ozone and UV
- Neoprene
- GoodWater, alkalis, ozone and UVFairMineral oil, dilute acids
- Poor or not recommended: Fuel, steam, solvents
- Nitrile
- GoodMineral oil, fuel, waterFairDilute acids, alkalis
- Poor or not recommended: Steam, solvents, ozone and UV
- EPDM
- GoodWater, steam, dilute acids, alkalis, ozone and UVFairKetones and alcohols
- Poor or not recommended: Mineral oil, fuel, hydrocarbon solvents
- Viton™ (FKM)
- GoodMineral oil, fuel, water, dilute acids, ozone and UVFairAlkalis; most solvents except ketones and esters
- Poor or not recommended: Steam, ketones, low molecular weight esters
- Silicone
- GoodWater, ozone and UVFairDilute acids, alkalis
- Poor or not recommended: Mineral oil, fuel, steam, solvents
PTFE, cork, fibre and foam
- Virgin PTFE
- GoodAll eight mediaFairNone of the eight
- Poor or not recommended: None of the eight; molten alkali metals and fluorine attack it
- Nitrile-bonded cork
- GoodMineral oil, fuel, waterFairDilute acids
- Poor or not recommended: Steam, alkalis, solvents, ozone and UV
- Neoprene-bonded cork
- GoodWater, ozone and UVFairMineral oil, dilute acids
- Poor or not recommended: Fuel, steam, alkalis, solvents
- Compressed fibre
- GoodMineral oil, fuel, water; steam (rated grades)FairDilute acids, alkalis, solvents, ozone and UV
- Poor or not recommended: Strong acids and alkalis, by grade
- Vegetable fibre gasket paper
- GoodMineral oil, fuelFairWater, petroleum solvents
- Poor or not recommended: Steam, dilute acids, alkalis, other solvents
- Closed-cell polyethylene foam
- GoodWater, dilute acids, alkalisFairMineral oil; ozone and UV (stabilised grades)
- Poor or not recommended: Fuel, steam, solvents
Typical ratings at room temperature for common grades; steam includes hot water. Ask us to check your exact medium, concentration and temperature.
Pressure
Pressure, compressibility and recovery by gasket material.
A gasket seals by being squeezed into the imperfections of the flanges and then holding enough stress to stop the fluid getting past. Soft, compressible materials seal at a low bolt load; harder ones need more load to seat but resist being squeezed out, so they hold higher pressures.
Recovery is how far a material springs back as the load relaxes. Rubber and cork recover well; PTFE and paper recover little and depend on a steady bolt load. Pressure duty also depends on thickness, flange design and temperature, so treat the bands as a guide.
Gasket materials: typical behaviour under load
General guidance, not a specification
| Material | Typical behaviour (Compressibility / Recovery) | Typical pressure duty |
|---|---|---|
| Solid rubber | CompressibilityDeforms rather than compressesRecoveryHigh | Low to moderate; higher with cloth insertion |
| Rubber and silicone sponge | CompressibilityVery highRecoveryGood, by grade | Low: dust, splash and weather seals |
| Closed-cell foam | CompressibilityVery highRecoveryFair to good | Very low: dust, light and draught seals |
| Bonded cork | CompressibilityHigh, with little sideways spreadRecoveryGood | Low: covers, sumps and housings |
| Vegetable fibre paper | CompressibilityModerateRecoveryLow | Low to moderate: oil, fuel and water joints |
| Compressed fibre | CompressibilityLow to moderateRecoveryModerate | Moderate to high: bolted pipe flanges |
| Virgin PTFE | CompressibilityLowRecoveryLow; creeps under load | Moderate; filled grades higher |
| Expanded PTFE | CompressibilityVery highRecoveryLow | Moderate to high, even on uneven flanges |
- Solid rubber
- CompressibilityDeforms rather than compressesRecoveryHigh
- Typical pressure duty: Low to moderate; higher with cloth insertion
- Rubber and silicone sponge
- CompressibilityVery highRecoveryGood, by grade
- Typical pressure duty: Low: dust, splash and weather seals
- Closed-cell foam
- CompressibilityVery highRecoveryFair to good
- Typical pressure duty: Very low: dust, light and draught seals
- Bonded cork
- CompressibilityHigh, with little sideways spreadRecoveryGood
- Typical pressure duty: Low: covers, sumps and housings
- Vegetable fibre paper
- CompressibilityModerateRecoveryLow
- Typical pressure duty: Low to moderate: oil, fuel and water joints
- Compressed fibre
- CompressibilityLow to moderateRecoveryModerate
- Typical pressure duty: Moderate to high: bolted pipe flanges
- Virgin PTFE
- CompressibilityLowRecoveryLow; creeps under load
- Typical pressure duty: Moderate; filled grades higher
- Expanded PTFE
- CompressibilityVery highRecoveryLow
- Typical pressure duty: Moderate to high, even on uneven flanges
Duty bands: very low and low for enclosures and covers, moderate for pump and pipe joints, high for flanged pipework.
Quick picks
Gasket material quick picks by application.
A first choice and an alternative for common jobs; the alternative usually wins when the first choice fails on temperature, approvals or cost. Tell us the fluid, the temperature and the pressure, and we will confirm the grade.
Custom gaskets cut to your drawingQuick picks
Typical first choices, not a specification
| Application | First choice | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and gearbox covers, sumps | Nitrile-bonded cork | Nitrile rubber |
| Oil, fuel and hydraulic fluid | Nitrile | Viton™ (FKM) for hotter or harsher fluids |
| Hot water, heating and steam | EPDM | Compressed fibre, steam-rated grade |
| Outdoor doors, panels and enclosures | EPDM | Neoprene, or silicone sponge |
| Ovens, lamps and hot air to 200°C | Silicone | Viton™ (FKM) where oil is present |
| Acids and chemical pipework | PTFE | Viton™ (FKM) for many acids and solvents |
| Bolted pipe flanges at higher pressure | Compressed fibre | Filled or restructured PTFE |
| Food and drink equipment | Food-grade silicone | Food-grade EPDM or PTFE |
| Electrical enclosures, dust and splash | Closed-cell neoprene or polyethylene foam | Silicone sponge |
| Cryogenic and very low temperatures | PTFE | Silicone, to about -60°C |
- Engine and gearbox covers, sumps
- Nitrile-bonded cork
- Alternative: Nitrile rubber
- Oil, fuel and hydraulic fluid
- Nitrile
- Alternative: Viton™ (FKM) for hotter or harsher fluids
- Hot water, heating and steam
- EPDM
- Alternative: Compressed fibre, steam-rated grade
- Outdoor doors, panels and enclosures
- EPDM
- Alternative: Neoprene, or silicone sponge
- Ovens, lamps and hot air to 200°C
- Silicone
- Alternative: Viton™ (FKM) where oil is present
- Acids and chemical pipework
- PTFE
- Alternative: Viton™ (FKM) for many acids and solvents
- Bolted pipe flanges at higher pressure
- Compressed fibre
- Alternative: Filled or restructured PTFE
- Food and drink equipment
- Food-grade silicone
- Alternative: Food-grade EPDM or PTFE
- Electrical enclosures, dust and splash
- Closed-cell neoprene or polyethylene foam
- Alternative: Silicone sponge
- Cryogenic and very low temperatures
- PTFE
- Alternative: Silicone, to about -60°C
Typical choices. Ask us to check yours against your fluid, temperature and pressure.
Starting point
Why a gasket chart is a starting point, not a specification.
A chart compares materials one property at a time; a real joint tests them all at once, with pressure cycles, vibration and the flange finish added. A material rated Good for oil at room temperature may swell at 120°C, and one rated to 200°C in air may not last in steam at that temperature. Grades within a family differ too.
Once the chart has narrowed the choice to one or two families, the next step is to match a grade to the duty. Send us the fluid, the temperature range, the pressure and the flange details, and our technical team will recommend one. Our article on custom gasket uses by industry shows how the choice changes between applications.
Talk to our technical teamMaterial guides
Gasket material guides for every family in the chart.
Each material in the chart has its own guide, with properties, grades, the thicknesses we cut and answers to common questions.
- Read the guide
Rubber gaskets
Every common elastomer compared, plus insertion, natural and butyl rubber.
- Read the guide
Neoprene gaskets
Solid neoprene, neoprene foam and neoprene-bonded cork.
- Read the guide
Nitrile gaskets
The standard rubber for oil, fuel and hydraulic fluid.
- Read the guide
EPDM gaskets
Weather, water and steam resistant rubber seals.
- Read the guide
Viton™ (FKM) gaskets
Fluoroelastomer seals for fuels, chemicals and heat.
- Read the guide
Silicone gaskets
Solid, sponge and food-grade silicone for heat and cold.
- Read the guide
PTFE gaskets
Chemically inert gaskets, washers and shims.
- Read the guide
Cork gaskets
Nitrile and neoprene bonded cork for covers and housings.
- Read the guide
Gasket paper and fibre
Compressed fibre, Klingersil® and fibre jointing.
- Read the guide
Foam gaskets
Closed-cell foams and sponge for sealing and cushioning.
Gasket material chart FAQs
Gasket material chart questions, answered.
Can't find what you need? Our technical team is happy to help.
How do I choose a gasket material?
Start with the temperature range and the fluid, which rule out most materials quickly. Then consider the pressure, the bolt load, the flange surfaces and any approvals, such as food contact. The chart narrows the field; our technical team then matches a grade to your joint.
What is the highest temperature gasket material?
Of the materials in this chart, compressed fibre grades rate up to about 250°C to 400°C and PTFE to about 260°C, while Kapton® polyimide film takes about 400°C for short periods as an insulating gasket and is used continuously in insulation systems rated 200°C and above. Among rubbers, silicone and Viton™ (FKM) reach about 200°C. Above these limits, graphite, mica and metal gaskets take over.
Which gasket material is best for oil?
Nitrile (NBR) is the standard choice for mineral oils, fuels and hydraulic fluids, and nitrile-bonded cork for oil-filled covers and housings. For hotter oils or synthetic fluids, Viton™ (FKM) lasts longer. Avoid natural rubber, EPDM and silicone in oil.
Which gasket material is best for steam?
EPDM handles hot water and low-pressure steam well, typically to about 150°C. For higher steam pressures and temperatures, use a compressed fibre grade rated for steam, or PTFE. Avoid nitrile, neoprene and silicone, which harden or break down in steam.
Which gasket material resists acids?
PTFE resists almost all acids at any concentration within its temperature range, and is the usual answer for chemical duty. Viton™ (FKM) resists many acids, and EPDM handles dilute acids well. Strong oxidising acids, such as concentrated nitric acid, need a specific check against the grade.
Are the values in the chart guaranteed?
No. They are typical values for common grades, for comparing materials, not a specification. Real limits depend on the compound, the fluid, the temperature and how the joint is built. For figures you can design to, ask us for the data sheet of the grade we supply.
Ask us to check your choice.
Send us the fluid, the temperature, the pressure and the flange details, and our technical team will confirm the material and quote for the gaskets.
Gasket and shim materials
More materials and methods
- Read more
Reference
Types of shims
Shim materials, shapes and stacks, and how to specify one.
- Read more
Gasket and sealing materials
Rubber gaskets
Every common elastomer compared, plus insertion, natural and butyl rubber.
- Read more
Electrical insulation and thermal
Electrical insulation materials
Papers, films and sheet cut into insulators.
- Read more
Plastics and components
Engineering plastics
Nylon, acetal, polycarbonate and PVC parts to drawing.
- Read more
Cutting methods
Die cutting
Flatbed and rotary die cutting, prototype to volume.
- Read more
Overview
Gasket and shim materials
Every material we cut, compared in one place.
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