What Material Should You Use for Your Gasket?
Choosing the right gasket material matters more than you think.
When it comes to sealing performance, choosing the right gasket material is just as important as the shape or size. The material affects everything from temperature and chemical resistance to flexibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. At Derby Gaskets, we stock and cut a wide range of materials — and we’re here to help you make the right choice.
Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.
Rubber Gaskets: Reliable and Versatile
Materials: Natural Rubber, Neoprene, Nitrile, EPDM, Viton, Silicone
Rubber is one of the most common choices for gaskets thanks to its flexibility and sealing performance.
- Nitrile Rubber is excellent for oil and fuel resistance.
- EPDM performs well with water, steam, and outdoor exposure.
- Viton handles aggressive chemicals and high temperatures.
- Silicone is great for food-grade or extreme temperature environments.
Need something water-safe? We also offer WRC-approved EPDM.
Food-Grade Rubber: Safe for Processing Applications
Materials: Blue Nitrile, White Natural Rubber, White Neoprene, White Nitrile
If you’re in food or beverage production, your gaskets must meet strict hygiene and material safety standards. Our food-grade rubbers are compliant and durable – perfect for processing lines and packaging machinery.
Specialist Rubber: Built for the Job
Materials: Flame Retardant Silicone, Diaphragm Rubber, Anti-Static Neoprene
Some applications demand more. From fire safety to anti-static environments and reinforced diaphragms, we supply and cut materials designed for the most specific and demanding uses.
Non-Rubber Materials: Tough and Functional
Materials: Klingersil C4400, Novus 30, PG Range, Gasket Paper, PTFE, Cork
If you’re sealing flanges, heat-prone areas, or chemically aggressive systems, rubber might not be enough. We offer a range of compressed fibre, gasket paper, and PTFE options to suit industrial and engineering environments.
- Klingersil and Novus are high-performance fibre gaskets.
- PTFE resists almost all chemicals and is great for hygiene.
- Nitrile-bonded cork offers vibration damping in low-pressure systems.
Foam and Sponge: For Sealing and Cushioning
Materials: Neoprene/EPDM Sponge, Silicone Sponge, Acoustic Foam, Polyethylene
Need a soft seal, acoustic barrier or thermal insulation? Our foam and sponge materials can be cut to shape for gaskets, pads, and protective layers.
Still Not Sure?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — the best gasket material depends on your environment: temperature, pressure, fluids involved, and whether it needs to be food-safe, fire-safe or oil-resistant.
At Derby Gaskets, we offer:
✔ Expert advice on material selection
✔ Fast turnaround on custom-cut gaskets
✔ A huge range of materials, all stocked in-house