Flexible PVC Gaskets and Seals

Flexible PVC is a plasticised form of polyvinyl chloride that has been formulated to make it softer and more adaptable than rigid PVC.

It is widely used where a cost-effective non-metallic material is required for cushioning, protection, insulation or light sealing.

Flexible PVC can compress and conform more readily between mating surfaces than rigid PVC, enabling it to provide useful light-duty sealing and cushioning.

Its combination of flexibility, moisture resistance, surface protection and electrical insulation makes it suitable for a wide variety of general-purpose gasket and sealing applications.

Flexible PVC can typically operate within a temperature range of approximately -20°C to +70°C, although the exact limits depend upon the material grade, plasticiser content, thickness, load and operating environment.

Applications involving prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures should therefore be reviewed before material selection.

Flexible PVC provides good resistance to moisture and can be suitable for many damp or wet-environment applications.

The effectiveness of the finished gasket or seal will depend upon factors including the material grade, component design, compression and operating conditions.

Flexible PVC can provide useful resistance to many general industrial environments, but its chemical resistance varies according to the material formulation and substance involved.

Applications involving oils, fuels, solvents, aggressive chemicals or elevated temperatures should therefore be assessed before specifying flexible PVC.

Yes. Flexible PVC can offer good electrical insulating properties and is widely used in electrical and electronic applications.

The precise electrical performance depends upon the grade, thickness, voltage and environmental conditions, so specialist applications should be assessed individually.

Flexible PVC is generally better suited to light-duty sealing, cushioning and environmental protection than to high-pressure fluid or gas sealing.

For demanding pressure applications, a specialist elastomeric or compressed gasket material may provide more appropriate performance.

Flexible PVC is softer and more adaptable, allowing it to provide cushioning, surface protection and light sealing between adjoining components.

Rigid PVC is considerably stiffer and is more suitable where dimensional stability, firm separation or structural rigidity is required. The most suitable grade depends upon the mechanical and sealing requirements of the application.

Flexible PVC can provide a cost-effective alternative to rubber in some light-duty sealing, cushioning and protective applications.

Rubber materials are generally more elastic and may provide better compression recovery, dynamic sealing or wider temperature performance. The choice should therefore depend upon the required sealing pressure, movement and environmental conditions.

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

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

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

Punching provides an efficient manufacturing method for repeat quantities, whilst water jet cutting is particularly useful for prototypes, smaller production runs, larger components and intricate profiles where dedicated tooling may not be appropriate.

Bluemay Weston can manufacture flexible PVC 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.