40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber
40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber is a 40 Shore A natural rubber elastomer with a smooth beige finish, formulated as an odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic rubber product with natural resistance to bacterial growth. It delivers 2000 psi min. tensile strength — the highest of any FDA rubber grade in this series — and 400% psi min. ultimate elongation with a compression set of 50% max. (22 hours @ 158°F). The material passes FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and is rated ASTM D2000: 2AA420A13F17, with service from -20°F to 180°F.
Key Properties
- Durometer / Hardness (Shore A): 40 — ASTM D2240
- Tensile Strength: 2000 psi min. — ASTM D412
- Ultimate Elongation: 400% psi min. — ASTM D412
- Compression Set, 22 Hours @ 158°F: 50% max — ASTM D395B
- Specific Gravity: 1.14 gr/cc — —
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Polymer | Natural Rubber | — |
| Color | Beige | — |
| Finish | Smooth | — |
| Powder | Yes | — |
| Specific Gravity | 1.14 gr/cc | — |
| Thickness | 1/16″, 3/32″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″ | — |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Durometer / Hardness (Shore A) | 40 | ASTM D2240 |
| Tensile Strength | 2000 psi min. | ASTM D412 |
| Ultimate Elongation | 400% psi min. | ASTM D412 |
| Compression Set, 22 Hours @ 158°F | 50% max | ASTM D395B |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Cold Temperature | -40°F min. | ASTM D2137 |
| Temperature Range | -20°F to 180°F | — |
Aging Performance — Heat Aging (70 Hours @ 158°F)
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Hardness Change | 15 points max. | ASTM D573 |
| Tensile Change | +/- 30% max. | ASTM D573 |
| Elongation Change | -50% max. | ASTM D573 |
Regulatory / Compliance Data
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 | Pass | — |
| ASTM D2000: 2AA420A13F17 | Rated | — |
Compliance
- FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 — Compliant (Pass)
- ASTM D2000: 2AA420A13F17 — Rated
- General gaskets, counter tops, non-slip pads, and skirting in food processing facilities and commercial kitchens
- Sealing and gasketing components in butcher shops, grocery stores, and food processing plants requiring high tensile and abrasion resistance
- Pharmaceutical processing and hospital equipment gaskets requiring FDA-compliant, non-toxic, high-rebound elastomeric materials
- Cosmetics industry and industrial plant protective surfaces and sealing applications
- Food contact counter top and work surface applications where superior abrasion resistance and rebound elasticity are required
Common industries: Food processing, food service, pharmaceutical, healthcare, cosmetics, commercial kitchen equipment.
40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber is a smooth-finish beige natural rubber sheeting at 40 Shore A, formulated for food contact applications requiring an odorless, tasteless, non-toxic elastomer with natural resistance to bacterial growth.
Natural rubber is distinguished within the FDA rubber sheeting family by its superior abrasion resistance, excellent rebound elasticity (snap), good flexibility, and high tensile strength — properties that make it particularly well suited for counter top surfaces, non-slip pads, skirting, and general gaskets in food processing, commercial kitchen, butcher shop, pharmaceutical processing, hospital, cosmetics, and grocery store environments.
The material is supplied powdered (Yes) and features a smooth finish. Additional thicknesses are available by special request.
The 2000 psi min. tensile strength and 400% psi min. ultimate elongation reflect natural rubber’s inherently high mechanical performance. Heat aging at 158°F for 70 hours yields hardness change of 15 points max., tensile change of +/- 30% max., and elongation change of -50% max. Cold temperature rating is -40°F min. per ASTM D2137. No oil fluid immersion or ozone data is specified on the TDS. The material is rated ASTM D2000: 2AA420A13F17.
Compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 — Pass; ASTM D2000: 2AA420A13F17 — Rated.
What differentiates 40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber from other FDA rubber grades in this series?
40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber uses a natural rubber polymer rather than a synthetic blend or EPDM, delivering the highest tensile strength in the FDA rubber series at 2000 psi min., along with superior abrasion resistance, excellent rebound elasticity (snap), and good flexibility — properties inherent to natural rubber that synthetic compounds typically do not match. Its beige color, powdered finish, and natural resistance to bacterial growth make it a distinctive choice for food contact counter top and pad applications where physical performance and compliance are both required.
Why is compression set an important consideration for solid natural rubber elastomers?
Compression set measures how well an elastomer recovers its original thickness after sustained compression. In gaskets, counter top pads, and food contact sealing applications, high compression set means the material permanently flattens over time, reducing its sealing effectiveness and load distribution capability. 40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber is rated at 50% max. compression set (22 hours @ 158°F per ASTM D395B), appropriate for food service and industrial elastomer applications operating within the stated temperature range.
What is the temperature range for 40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber?
40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber is rated for service from -20°F to 180°F, with a cold temperature rating of -40°F min. per ASTM D2137, as listed on the TDS.
Is 40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber suitable for food contact and regulated food processing environments?
Yes. This material passes FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and is formulated as an odorless, tasteless, non-toxic rubber product with natural resistance to bacterial growth, specifically designed for food processing, commercial kitchen, pharmaceutical processing, and related food contact applications, as stated on the TDS.
How should 40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber be specified?
Specify grade (40 Durometer FDA Grade Industrial Natural Rubber), thickness (additional thicknesses available by special request), compliance requirements (FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 / ASTM D2000: 2AA420A13F17), dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
