Foam Materials & Elastomers
Compare industrial cellular PU, silicone, EPDM, nitrile and structural foam by assembly conditions
Converting Options
Material Overview
Industrial foam materials serve different jobs in sealing, cushioning and composite construction. Start with the assembly conditions, then choose a material family. Specify operating temperature, exposure to water, UV or oils, the available gap, target compression and whether the part needs adhesive backing. Cell structure alone does not determine whether a gasket seals: an open-cell material can form a seal at the right compression, while an uncompressed open-cell foam may absorb water. Use this overview to compare families, then follow the product links for grade-level data and availability.
Sub-type Comparison
Microcellular polyurethane
Key Property: Good recovery under repeated compression; open-cell grades can absorb water when uncompressed
Typical Substrate: Polyurethane
Application: Low-force enclosure gaskets, cushioning and vibration control
Cellular silicone
Key Property: Wide temperature and UV/ozone exposure range; check fluid compatibility, price, grade and any required flame rating
Typical Substrate: Silicone elastomer
Application: Enclosure seals and cushioning exposed to heat, UV or ozone
EPDM foam
Key Property: Useful for outdoor weather exposure; generally a poor choice for petroleum oil or gasoline contact
Typical Substrate: EPDM rubber
Application: Outdoor enclosures and HVAC sealing
Neoprene / nitrile foam
Key Property: Consider for oil-exposed parts; check compatibility against the actual fluid and temperature
Typical Substrate: Polychloroprene / NBR
Application: Industrial seals and equipment cushioning
Structural PVC foam core
Key Property: Lightweight sandwich core rather than a compressible gasket; strength, processing temperature and water uptake vary by grade
Typical Substrate: Engineered PVC foam
Application: Composite panels for marine, transport and wind applications
Selection Decision Factors
Sealing and cell structure
Define the water or dust ingress target and the available compression. Do not rule out an open-cell foam solely by its cell structure; test the assembled gasket at the specified squeeze.
Compression and recovery
Compare compression force at the design gap and compression set under the same temperature, duration and test method. A single percentage cannot be applied to every PU, silicone or rubber grade.
Temperature and media
Use the grade data sheet to check continuous and peak temperature, UV exposure and contact with oils or cleaners. Broad chemistry ranges are only a first filter.
Part construction
Decide whether the part is a plain sheet, a die-cut gasket or an adhesive-backed component. Supply format, thickness, drawing and quantity affect the converting route.
Flammability requirements
Name the required standard and part thickness in the RFQ. Flame test results belong to particular grades and thicknesses; they do not transfer automatically to an entire material family.
Related Products
Use the product pages below for specific material grades, available forms and quotation details. This overview is for comparing material families.
FAQ
Does a sealing foam have to be closed-cell?
No. The assembled gasket must meet the specified ingress test at its design compression. Some open-cell microcellular materials can seal when compressed sufficiently; cell structure is one input, not a pass/fail rule.
Which measurements should I compare across foam families?
Start with compression force at the working gap, compression set under matched test conditions, operating temperature, environmental exposure and required flame rating. Then check thickness and part format against the drawing.
Can an elastomer foam part have adhesive backing?
Many foam grades can be laminated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, but the adhesive must match the foam surface, substrate, temperature and assembly process. Provide the substrate and drawing so the backing can be checked with the selected grade.
Material Inquiry
Foam Materials & Elastomers
Compare industrial foam materials by compression, exposure, cell structure and part format. Choose a material family before checking grades and converting options.
