Cork Gaskets and Seals

Cork has a naturally cellular structure that allows it to compress under load and recover when the pressure is removed. This enables cork gaskets to conform to slight surface irregularities and help create a seal between mating components.

Its resilience, low density and vibration-damping properties also make cork suitable for applications where sealing needs to be combined with cushioning or isolation.

Yes. Compressibility is one of the principal reasons cork is used as a gasket material.

When compressed between mating surfaces, cork can accommodate small variations in surface finish and component alignment while maintaining contact across the sealing area.

Yes. Cork has excellent vibration-damping characteristics due to its cellular structure.

Cork gaskets and pads can therefore be useful in assemblies where vibration needs to be reduced or isolated between components, particularly in machinery, electrical equipment and other mechanical installations.

Yes. Cork can absorb and damp vibration that would otherwise contribute to noise transmission through an assembly.

This makes cork useful in applications requiring a combination of sealing, cushioning and acoustic isolation.

Cork has useful electrical insulating properties and can be suitable for applications where a non-conductive gasket, separator or cushioning component is required.

The precise electrical performance will depend upon the material grade, thickness, moisture content and operating environment.

The resistance of cork gaskets to water, oils and other fluids depends upon the grade of cork and the binder used to manufacture the sheet material.

Certain bonded cork materials are specifically formulated for improved resistance to oils, fuels or moisture. The intended fluid and operating conditions should therefore be considered when selecting a cork gasket material.

The operating temperature of a cork gasket depends upon the particular cork composition, binder, thickness and application.

Because different bonded cork materials can have significantly different temperature capabilities, the operating conditions should be reviewed before selecting material for applications involving sustained elevated temperatures.

Cork is generally lighter and firmer than many elastomeric rubber materials while still providing useful compressibility and recovery. It also offers excellent vibration damping and good thermal insulation.

Rubber materials are typically more elastic and may provide greater flexibility and compression recovery. The most suitable material depends upon the required sealing pressure, movement, media, temperature and operating environment.

Yes. Bluemay Weston manufactures bespoke cork gaskets and seals to customer drawings, dimensions, samples and specifications.

Components can be manufactured in simple circular or rectangular formats as well as complex profiles incorporating apertures, fixing holes, slots and other features.

Bluemay Weston manufactures cork gaskets and seals from sheet material using precision punching and water jet cutting.

Punching can provide an efficient manufacturing method for repeat production quantities, whilst water jet cutting is particularly suitable for prototypes, low-volume production, larger components and intricate profiles where dedicated tooling may not be appropriate.

Bluemay Weston can manufacture cork gaskets and seals in quantities ranging from prototypes and small development batches through to high-volume production runs of many thousands or millions of components, depending on the component design, material specification and customer requirements.