Material Guide
Not sure which material is right for your project? This guide compares the most popular gasket materials we offer so you can choose quickly and confidently. All materials are CNC cut (laser, waterjet, and more) to ±0.015″, and you'll see your exact price in seconds — no minimum order, shipping across the entire USA.
Gasket Materials Comparison Table
| Material | Max Temp | Oil / Fuel Resistance | Weather / UV / Ozone | Water / Steam Resistance | Applications | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viton® (FKM) | -15°F to 400°F | Excellent | Good | Good | Exhaust, fuel systems, chemicals, high-heat | Premium |
| Silicone | -60°F to 450°F | Fair | Excellent | Excellent | High-temp sealing, ovens, medical, HVAC | Mid-range |
| EPDM | -60°F to 300°F | Poor | Excellent | Excellent | Outdoor, plumbing, HVAC, weather exposure | Very Affordable |
| Neoprene | -40°F to 250°F | Good | Very Good | Good | Automotive, enclosures, vibration damping | Affordable |
| Buna-N (Nitrile) | -40°F to 250°F | Excellent | Poor | Good | Oil, fuel, hydraulic systems, machinery | Affordable |
| Natural Rubber | -50°F to 180°F | Poor | Fair | Good | High-compression seals, heavy mechanical | Budget |
| Cork / Rubber Blend | -20°F to 250°F | Good (with Buna) | Good | Good | Low-pressure flanges, uneven surfaces | Very Affordable |
| Paper Fiber / Buna-N | -20°F to 250°F | Good | Fair | Fair | Light-duty covers, shims, housings | Lowest Cost |
| PTFE | -350°F to 500°F | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Chemical processing, aggressive fluids, high-purity systems | Mid-range |
Ready to cut a part? Popular shapes include flange gaskets with bolt holes, ring gaskets, rectangular gaskets, and neoprene gaskets cut to size.
Detailed Material Breakdown
Viton® (FKM) — Top choice for extreme conditions. Outstanding resistance to fuels, oils, chemicals, and high heat. Ideal for automotive exhaust, industrial fuel systems, and harsh chemical environments.
Silicone Rubber — Excellent high-temperature performance and flexibility. Stays soft even in extreme heat or cold. Commonly used in ovens, HVAC and thermal sealing.
EPDM Rubber — The go-to material for outdoor and weather-exposed gaskets. Superior resistance to UV, ozone, sunlight, and water. Perfect for plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and outdoor enclosures.
Neoprene Rubber — Versatile all-rounder with good oil resistance, weather resistance, and durability. Great for automotive, industrial machinery, electrical enclosures, and vibration dampening.
Buna-N (Nitrile) — Excellent oil and fuel resistance. The standard choice for hydraulic systems, pumps, valves, and any application involving petroleum products.
Natural Rubber — Highly elastic with excellent compression set recovery. Best for applications needing high resilience and heavy mechanical sealing.
Cork & Cork/Buna-N Blends — Highly compressible and forgiving on uneven surfaces. Excellent for low-pressure flanges, valve covers, and light-duty assemblies.
Paper Fiber / Buna-N Blend — Thin, lightweight, and economical for low-pressure sealing in covers, shims, and housings.
PTFE (Teflon) — Chemically inert virgin PTFE with a very wide temperature range. Rigid and non-stick; can cold-flow under sustained load. Great for aggressive chemicals and high-purity applications.
Not Sure Which Material to Choose?
- High heat + oil/fuel → Viton®
- High heat, no oil → Silicone
- Outdoor or water exposure → EPDM
- General automotive or oil → Neoprene or Buna-N
- Low pressure / uneven surfaces → Cork blends
Need a Special Material or Thickness?
Don't see exactly what you need? We can often source additional materials or custom thicknesses. Just reach out — we'll get you a fast quote.
All thicknesses are nominal. Slight variation is normal.
Related: Measuring Guide · FAQ · Flange gaskets · Instant quote