Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Our Products

Rubber gaskets are mechanical seals used to fill the gap between two or more mating surfaces. They prevent contained fluids from escaping the system and/or external contaminants from entering the system. Additionally, they can serve as a barrier between two compounds that need to remain separated.

Rubber gaskets can be made in a variety of ways. Four of the most common methods are hand cutting, die cutting, waterjet cutting, and molding. Each comes with distinct equipment requirements and offers unique advantages that make them suitable for different project demands.

Rubber gaskets can be made from a broad selection of rubber materials, each of which exhibits different characteristics that make it appropriate for particular applications. Some of the most widely used materials are neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, PTFE, and silicone rubber.

Rubber gaskets have a shelf life—i.e., the maximum length of time they can be stored after being made before they start to become unusable. This value naturally varies from one rubber material to the next. Other factors can shorten or extend the actual shelf life of a rubber gasket, such as exposure to extreme temperatures, high/low humidity, and ultraviolet (UV) light.

Rubber gasket material gradually degrades/deteriorates over time. This natural process can be accelerated with improper storage conditions. Some tips on caring for rubber gaskets include storing them in cool (not too hot, not too cold) and dry areas and minimizing their exposure to chemicals, debris, dust, and other damaging compounds.

Gaskets are sealing components generally used in static applications. They are carefully formed into different shapes so they can create seals between the flat surfaces of non-moving components (e.g., joints). Seals are sealing components typically used in dynamic applications. They are formed into flat and round shapes so they can form seals between the surfaces of moving components (e.g., rotating engines, pumps, and shafts).

Industrial hoses are used for many purposes in hydraulic and pneumatic equipment. They can carry chemicals, compressed air, water, steam, and more.

The type of industrial hose you should use depends on your application. The application’s requirements and restrictions can influence the design, construction material, and more. You can contact our experts for assistance choosing the industrial hose that is best suited for your needs.

An industrial hose assembly consists of three basic components: a hose, hose fittings, and components for attaching the fittings to the hose.

Ducts can be classified into two main categories: flexible ducts and rigid ducts.

Rubber sheets are used to make a wide range of parts and products. Different materials are used for different purposes. For example, natural rubber sheets are widely used for general sealing components, while silicone rubber sheets are typically used for pharmaceutical sealing components.

Both EPDM and neoprene are a synthetic rubber material that is commonly used to manufacture gaskets and seals. EPDM has a single-bond molecular structure made up of ethylene, propylene, and diene monomer. It is electrically and thermally insulating, noise reducing, and resistant to acids, alkalis, oxygenated solvents, heat, cold, ozone, water, and weathering. Neoprene is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine polymers. Similar to EPDM, it is resistant to acids, alkalis, and weathering, but it is not resistant to oxygenated solvents. It also offers resistance to corrosion and fire.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlines many requirements and restrictions for the design and construction of paint booth ventilation systems. They can be viewed here. Our team can help you navigate these guidelines to ensure your paint booth is properly ventilated.

Paint booth filters (PBFs) can be categorized into two basic classifications: outside PBFs and inside PBFs. Spent outside PBFs are typically not hazardous. As such, they can generally be tossed with normal trash. Spent inside PBFs can be hazardous. As such, they must be evaluated prior to being disposed of as whether or not they are determined to be hazardous affects their disposal method. If they are deemed not hazardous, they can be disposed of into municipal trash. If they are deemed hazardous, they must be removed by a registered waste hauler.

Spent paint booth filters can be considered hazardous waste depending on what solvents and materials they contain. Materials commonly found in paint compounds that can lead to spent PBFs being classified as hazardous waste include arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver.

Paint booth filters must be changed periodically depending on whether they’ve reached their recommended maximum number of spray hours. The number of spray hours a filter can be used before needing replacement varies from filter to filter.