Technical Rubberized Cork SP52
Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 is a chloroprene rubber-bound technical cork composite (granule size .05/1 mm) designed for demanding flange gasket, oil-resistant seal, and special-profile applications. It achieves a durometer range of 46–66 Shore A, compressibility of 40%–60% @ 400 PSI, and recovery of 75% @ 400 PSI per ASTM F36. Density ranges from 480–720 kgm³. The material is rated from -40°F to 230°F and provides controlled fluid resistance to petroleum oils and fuel per ASTM F146.
Key Properties
- Durometer / Hardness (Shore A): 46-66 — ASTM D2240
- Compressibility @ 400 PSI: 40%-60% — ASTM F36
- Recovery @ 400 PSI: 75% — ASTM F36
- Low Temperature Limit: -40°F — —
- High Temperature Limit: 230°F — —
Density: 480-720 kgm³ — ASTM F1315
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- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Material / Substrate | Technical Rubberized Cork | — |
| Color | Red | — |
| Binder | Chloroprene Rubber | — |
| Cork Granule Size | .05/1 mm | — |
| Density | 480-720 kgm³ | ASTM F1315 |
| Thickness | 1/32″, 1/16″, 3/32″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″ | — |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Durometer / Hardness (Shore A) | 46-66 | ASTM D2240 |
| Compressibility @ 400 PSI | 40%-60% | ASTM F36 |
| Recovery @ 400 PSI | 75% | ASTM F36 |
| Tensile Strength, With Grain | .07 MPa (~10.2 psi) | ASTM F152 |
| Tensile Strength, Across Grain | .05 MPa (~7.3 psi) | ASTM F152 |
| Flexibility, Original (F=5) | No Cracks | ASTM F147 |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Low Temperature Limit | -40°F | — |
| High Temperature Limit | 230°F | — |
Aging Performance — Fluid Immersion (ASTM F146)
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Volume Change After Immersion, ASTM Nº1 Oil, 70h @ 212°F | -10% to +10% | ASTM F146 |
| Volume Change After Immersion, IRM 903 Oil, 70h @ 212°F | -10% to +40% | ASTM F146 |
| Volume Change After Immersion, ASTM Fuel A, 22h @ RT | -5% to +20% | ASTM F146 |
| Thickness Change, IRM 903, 70h @ 212°F | 0 to +20 | ASTM F146 |
- Flange gaskets requiring high compressibility to conform against rough or irregular sealing surfaces
- Oil-resistant seals and gaskets in automotive and industrial assemblies with petroleum fluid exposure
- Special shapes and profiles for precision gasketing in demanding technical applications
- High-friction isolation and sealing pads in industrial equipment requiring chloroprene-bound cork performance
- General technical gasketing applications requiring a softer, more conformable cork composite across a broad temperature range
Common industries: Industrial equipment, automotive, oil and gas, piping systems, general manufacturing.
Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 is a chloroprene rubber-bound cork composite at 46–66 Shore A, the most compressible and softest grade in the Technical Rubberized Cork range.
Its 40%–60% compressibility @ 400 PSI — significantly higher than the DC100 grades (25%–45%) — makes it well suited for applications requiring greater gasket conformability against irregular or rough flange surfaces, while the chloroprene binder provides inherent oil, ozone, and weather resistance beyond synthetic rubber. The cork granule size of .05/1 mm produces a fine, uniform texture appropriate for precision sealing profiles.
Both tensile strength with grain (.07 MPa / ~10.2 psi per ASTM F152) and across grain (.05 MPa / ~7.3 psi) are listed, reflecting the anisotropic nature of this cork composite.
The material passes initial flexibility testing at F=5 with no cracks per ASTM F147. Fluid aging per ASTM F146 shows volume change of -10% to +10% after ASTM Nº1 oil (70 hours @ 212°F), -10% to +40% after IRM 903 oil (70 hours @ 212°F), and -5% to +20% after ASTM Fuel A (22 hours @ RT). Thickness change after IRM 903 (70 hours @ 212°F) is 0 to +20 per ASTM F146. The -40°F low temperature limit matches the DC100-312 grade and is the widest cold-temperature capability in the Technical Rubberized Cork series.
What differentiates Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 from the DC100-312 and DC100-314 grades?
Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 uses a chloroprene rubber binder (vs. synthetic rubber in the DC100 grades) and is the most compressible grade in the Technical Rubberized Cork series at 40%–60% @ 400 PSI — substantially higher than the DC100 grades (25%–45%). It is also the softest at 46–66 Shore A (vs. 55–75 Shore A for DC100 grades) and is supplied in red, which distinguishes it visually from the natural-colored DC100 grades. SP52 is the appropriate selection when maximum gasket conformability is required or when the chloroprene binder's inherent chemical resistance profile is better suited to the service environment.
Why is compressibility an important property for technical cork composite gaskets?
Compressibility determines how much the gasket deflects under a given seating load, which governs how well it conforms to flange faces or mating surfaces to create a seal. Too little compressibility means the gasket cannot fill surface imperfections; too much means it may extrude or bottom out under bolt torque. Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 achieves 40%–60% compressibility @ 400 PSI per ASTM F36 — the highest in the Technical Rubberized Cork series — making it the appropriate selection for highly conformable sealing against rough or imperfect mating surfaces.
What is the service temperature range for Technical Rubberized Cork SP52?
Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 has a low temperature limit of -40°F and a high temperature limit of 230°F, as listed on the TDS.
Is Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 suitable for oil and fuel contact environments?
Yes. The TDS provides fluid aging data per ASTM F146 confirming controlled volume change in ASTM Nº1 oil (-10% to +10%), ASTM Fuel A (-5% to +20%), and IRM 903 oil (-10% to +40%) immersion, with thickness change after IRM 903 of 0 to +20. No specific compliance standards are cited on the TDS.
How should Technical Rubberized Cork SP52 be specified?
Specify grade (Technical Rubberized Cork SP52), thickness, dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
