Foam Gaskets and Seals

Foam can compress to accommodate variations between mating surfaces, helping to maintain contact throughout the sealing area.

Suitable foam grades can therefore provide an effective barrier against air, dust, moisture and other environmental contaminants whilst also cushioning components and absorbing vibration.

Bluemay Weston can process a wide range of expanded rubber and foam materials, including closed-cell EPDM, neoprene, polyethylene, polyurethane, PVC and silicone foam, together with other specialist grades.

The most appropriate material depends upon the required sealing performance, compression, temperature, chemical exposure and environmental conditions.

Open-cell foam contains interconnected cells that allow air and, depending on the material, moisture to pass through more readily. It is often selected for cushioning, filtration and sound absorption.

Closed-cell foam contains predominantly enclosed cells and generally provides better resistance to air and moisture transmission. Closed-cell grades are therefore frequently preferred for environmental gasket and sealing applications.

Suitable closed-cell foam grades can provide very good resistance to water and moisture when correctly compressed within an appropriately designed assembly.

However, not every foam material is waterproof, and performance depends upon the foam type, density, cell structure, compression and operating conditions.

Yes. Foam is widely used for sealing electrical enclosures, cabinets, access panels and other assemblies against dust and particulate contamination.

Its ability to compress and conform to surface variations can help close small gaps that might otherwise allow contaminants to enter the assembly.

Yes. The cellular structure of foam provides useful energy absorption and vibration damping.

Foam gaskets can therefore help isolate components, reduce vibration transmission, prevent rattling and limit noise caused by direct contact between adjoining parts.

Yes. Many of the expanded rubber and foam materials processed by Bluemay Weston can be supplied with self-adhesive backing.

Adhesive backing can assist with positioning and retaining the gasket or seal during assembly. Different adhesive systems may be selected according to the application and required bond strength.

The operating temperature depends upon the particular foam material and grade. EPDM, neoprene, PVC, polyethylene, polyurethane and silicone foams all have different temperature capabilities.

The intended temperature range should therefore be considered alongside other requirements such as compression, chemical exposure and environmental conditions when selecting the foam.

Foam has a cellular structure and generally compresses more easily than solid rubber, making it particularly useful for filling variable gaps, cushioning components and providing relatively low-compression environmental seals.

Solid rubber is denser and may be preferred where greater mechanical strength, abrasion resistance or more demanding fluid and pressure sealing is required.

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

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

Bluemay Weston manufactures foam 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, lower-volume production, larger components and complex profiles where dedicated tooling may not be appropriate.

Bluemay Weston can manufacture foam 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, foam specification and customer requirements.