Outdoor weathering
EPDM is commonly considered where weather, water and outdoor exposure are important; confirm the actual compound and application.
MATERIAL SELECTION HUB
Materials for Custom Cut Parts
Compare flexible sheet materials for custom gaskets, seals, pads and die-cut parts by the conditions that matter to the assembled application.
Ask for a Material ReviewHow to choose a material
Material selection starts with the part’s job: sealing, cushioning, protection, spacing or flow management. The next questions are exposure, temperature conditions, compression, assembly geometry and documentation needs. A material family can guide the review, but grade, construction and application determine the final choice.
MATERIAL FAMILIES
Browse by Material Family
These families prevent unlike materials from being compared as if they serve the same purpose. Each detail page retains its own application context.
Solid Elastomers
Solid rubber materials for sealing, isolation and resilient contact interfaces.
Material Silicone Rubber
Often reviewed for projects where the selected silicone grade is appropriate for the service environment and part construction. Explore Silicone Rubber →
Material EPDM Rubber
Commonly considered when weather, water and outdoor exposure are more important than oil resistance. Explore EPDM Rubber → Material Neoprene Rubber
A general-purpose elastomer option often reviewed around weather exposure, contact conditions and project construction. Explore Neoprene Rubber → Material NBR / Nitrile Rubber
Often considered for oil-related exposure; the actual compound and fluid conditions must still be reviewed. Explore NBR / Nitrile Rubber → Material FKM Rubber
A specialty elastomer family considered where more demanding chemical or temperature conditions may apply. Explore FKM Rubber →Foam Materials
Compressible materials for lower-force sealing, cushioning and protection.
Material Silicone Foam
A compressible silicone-based material for low-force interfaces where density, recovery and grade matter. Explore Silicone Foam → Material EPDM Foam
Foam material often considered for outdoor-facing seals and cushioning where compression and cell structure are relevant. Explore EPDM Foam → Material EVA Foam
A resilient foam option for protection and cushioning where density and impact behavior guide selection. Explore EVA Foam → Material PE Foam
A lightweight foam family with closed-cell options for projects balancing moisture exposure and cushioning. Explore PE Foam → Material PU Foam
A soft foam option for cushioning and vibration management; open- and closed-cell constructions behave differently. Explore PU Foam →Specialty Sheet Materials
Materials selected around specific media, construction or reinforcement considerations.
Material PTFE
A specialty sheet material selected around media, friction, load and construction rather than by name alone. Explore PTFE →
Material Fiberglass Fabric
A reinforcement or layered-material option whose coating, resin and handling requirements define suitability. Explore Fiberglass Fabric →Soft, Porous & Protective Materials
Materials for surface protection, damping, flow-related inserts and project-specific interfaces.
Material Felt
A soft porous material used for surface protection, noise reduction and low-load cushioning. Explore Felt →
Material Cork
A compressible material option for sealing or damping projects where the construction and exposure should be confirmed. Explore Cork →
Material Filter Mesh
A porous material for flow-related inserts and formed components where mesh construction and edge treatment matter. Explore Filter Mesh →SELECTION MATRIX
Material Selection Matrix
Relative guidance only. Performance is grade-, construction- and application-dependent; this table is not a substitute for project validation.
| Material | Family | Relative strength | Common use | Key selection factor | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPDM Rubber | Solid elastomer | Outdoor weather and water exposure | Gaskets and seals | Environment and compression | Oil-related exposure needs separate review |
| NBR / Nitrile Rubber | Solid elastomer | Often considered around oil exposure | Gaskets, washers and pads | Fluid or oil contact | Confirm compound and media |
| Silicone Rubber | Solid elastomer | Useful where silicone-grade performance is needed | Gaskets and pads | Grade and environment | Construction remains project dependent |
| Foam Materials | Compressible foam | Low-force cushioning or sealing | Foam gaskets, seals and pads | Cell structure and recovery | Density and compression change behavior |
| PTFE | Specialty sheet | Specialty media and low-friction uses | Gaskets and interfaces | Media, load and temperature | Creep and sealing load require review |
| Felt / Cork | Soft or porous | Surface protection or compressibility | Pads and gasket constructions | Contact and exposure | Construction and fluid contact matter |
REQUIREMENT FIRST
Choose by Application Requirement
These are starting questions for a project review, not claims that a material automatically meets a named standard or certification.
Oil exposure
NBR is often considered around oil-related exposure, while the exact fluid and material compound still need review.
High temperature conditions
Silicone, FKM or specialty material families may be considered depending on the actual grade and exposure conditions.
Low-force compression
Foam construction, density, cell structure and available joint compression guide a cushioning or sealing review.
Water or dust sealing
Material selection works with joint geometry, compression and the assembled-system validation—not material name alone.
Surface protection
Felt and foam materials can be reviewed where contact protection, noise reduction or cushioning are the primary functions.
Electrical or thermal isolation
The required isolation function, material construction and assembled design should be defined before selection.
Food-equipment projects
Where food-contact requirements apply, exact grade and supporting compliance documentation must be confirmed for the project.
PROJECT INPUTS
What Information Helps Material Selection?
Material selection is more reliable when the project describes the service conditions as well as the part shape.
Contact
What fluid, chemical or mating surface contacts the part?
Environment
Is it indoors, outdoors, wet, dusty or exposed to temperature change?
Function
Does the part need to seal, cushion, protect, isolate or manage flow?
Assembly
How much compression is available and how is the part mounted?
Documentation
Are project-specific regulatory or material documents required?
MATERIAL, PART & PROCESS
Material Selection Does Not End at the Material
The selected sheet material needs to work with the part profile, thickness or construction, and the appropriate cutting or converting route. Review the part hub for geometry and the capabilities hub for manufacturing choices.
Material Selection FAQ
How should I choose material for a custom gasket?
Start with the function of the gasket, then identify media exposure, temperature conditions, outdoor or indoor use, available compression, joint geometry and any documentation requirements. The material family is a useful starting point, but final suitability depends on the selected grade and construction.
Can one material name define performance?
No. Foam, rubber, silicone and adhesive constructions vary by grade. The project should confirm the actual material grade, thickness, density or cell structure, and the application conditions before a specification is finalized.
How do food-equipment projects affect selection?
Where food-contact requirements apply, the exact material grade and supporting compliance documentation must be confirmed for the project. A material family name alone is not a compliance claim.
DRAWING-BASED MANUFACTURING
Choose Material Around the Actual Application
Share the drawing, part function, exposure conditions, available thickness, quantity and any documentation requirement for a focused material review.